Utterly watchable...

Rating: 9/10 (28 July 2004)

This is one great movie: hip, violent and thoroughly compelling. Despite the unjustified and totally lame criticism of this movie by a whining buffoon below me, this movie brings an added welcome to the sea of crap that have been coming out in recent years. I don't always agree with Tarantino's assessment of films that he likes, but on his praise of this filmI am in total accord.
I will not belabor the reader with a synopsis of this movie since others below me have done a good job of describing the premise of this film. However, I should mention that this film is deftly handled both visually and story-wise. Every scene and frame evidences painstaking care and consideration, even though the film as a whole is fast-paced. The choreographed action scenes are thoroughly refreshing and totally original. I just loved this film.
Like some of the other great directors coming out of Asia, the director of this film should definitely be on the watchlist.
Thoroughly and without reservation, recommended.