Okay, "The Killer" (1989) - John Woo Perfection! (But Jennie, girl...)

Alright film friends, I finally got around to watching John Woo's "The Killer" (1989), and wowza! I knew it was a classic, but experiencing it firsthand... that Hong Kong action cinema magic is something else. Jeffrey, this mob assassin (played by Chow Yun-Fat, looking incredibly cool) trying to do the right thing after accidentally blinding Jennie? Heartbreaking! And the gun fu, oh my god, the gun fu. The final shootout in the church? Absolutely iconic. I seriously replayed the slow-motion doves scene like five times, it's just pure visual poetry. No wonder Woo influenced so many action directors. Chow Yun-Fat is just brilliant. He has this intensity mixed with vulnerability that makes you truly root for Jeffrey, even though he's, you know, a killer. Sally Yeh as Jennie was good, but honestly, sometimes I wanted to shake her. Like, girl, you just got your sight taken away, maybe don't run off on your own all the time? I get the dramatic need for her character to drive the plot, but her decisions sometimes felt a bit…convenient? I think the film wouldn't be as special without the tragic undertones and the complicated relationship between Jeffrey and Li Ying (the cop, played by Danny Lee). Both men are fighting for justice, but they're on opposite sides of the law, creating such a great dynamic. There's something really cool with the themes of brotherhood, loyalty and sacrifice. It is a bit melodramatic at times, but I think that's part of what gives it its charm. Overall, yeah I loved it! I can see why it's so revered in the action genre. It's visually stunning, emotionally engaging (even with Jennie's questionable choices, lol), and packed with some of the most breathtaking action sequences I've ever seen. Definitely recommending it to everyone I know!