Running on Karma (2003)
Despite his uneven output, I do enjoy Johnnie To's work. So I was excited when, for a while, this appeared to be one of his best works yet. It's funny and enjoyable, but it also works as an action thriller (with a Buddhist spin). Pity, then, that the third act feels like someone let the air out of it, with the climax comprising a dully literal internal struggle between Man's dual nature. It's all redeemed, though, by the last five minutes, which are about as moving as you're likely to find on a film that opens with Andy Lau running around naked. (And speaking of Andy... gotta love those fake muscles!) It's not upper-tier To, but it's not bad.
Grade: B-
Despite his uneven output, I do enjoy Johnnie To's work. So I was excited when, for a while, this appeared to be one of his best works yet. It's funny and enjoyable, but it also works as an action thriller (with a Buddhist spin). Pity, then, that the third act feels like someone let the air out of it, with the climax comprising a dully literal internal struggle between Man's dual nature. It's all redeemed, though, by the last five minutes, which are about as moving as you're likely to find on a film that opens with Andy Lau running around naked. (And speaking of Andy... gotta love those fake muscles!) It's not upper-tier To, but it's not bad.
Grade: B-
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