So Close
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Movie Reviews of So Close
Movie Review: So refreshing
Summary: 5 Stars
So refreshing, unique... So tired of Hollywood formula movies, I was delighted to find this gem of action movie. A lot of orginal stuff done really well.... from movie geek.Movie Review: PHAT- PRETTY HOT AND TEMPTING..
Summary: 5 Stars
THESE GIRLS WERE GREAT ACTRESSES. THEY MADE IT SEEM AMAZING. IT ALSO KEPT ME OFF MY FEET AND WANTING TO SEE MORE.Movie Review: so close
Summary: 5 Stars
really good movie . pretty good special affect . good story and good non stop action .Movie Review: Stylish, Sexy and hard-hitting! Corey Yuen pulls it all off...
Summary: 4 Stars
SO CLOSE is directed by renowned action choreographer; Corey Yuen (Transporter). Corey is a sought after action director with his fresh style and cool attitude. (He isn't as renowned as the legendary Yuen Woo-ping but he's close). "So Close" may give an impression that it is a "Charlie's Angels" knock-off and while it does look inspired by the idea, it successfully sidesteps that boundary and turned out to be one of the most entertaining flicks I've seen back in 2002. It is way better than the stupid remake with Barrymore and Diaz and it features three of the current hottest Hong Kong actresses. I'm a bit broke for the holidays so excuse me if I just dig into my existing collection to write my next review.
Lynn (Shu Qui, My Wife is a Gangster 3) and Sue (Vicky Zhao Wei, Shaolin Soccer) are stunningly beautiful sisters with a job unlike any other. They are intelligent, sexy and lethal women who are also the most "in-demand" assassins in the city. They never miss and seems like they are unstoppable; until police detective Hong (Karen Mok) becomes hot on their trail. However, Inspector Hong may have to take a second look on where her loyalties lie...
Non-stop action is the main draw for "So Close". Corey Yuen once again proves why he is a forced to be reckoned with when it comes to fast-paced action sequences. The martial arts scenes are truly lovely to behold, and while Shu Qui and Vicky Zhao aren't well-trained fighters in real life, but they sure look awesome performing the scenes. Corey still manages to pull off something fresh, stylish and downright sexy! The action sequence are hard-hitting but doesn't lose that feminine touch. Highlights include a close quarters mano-o-mano fight between Mok and Shu Qui; the fight is so well-choreographed that is so refreshing to watch. There is also a great car chase with Vicky Zhao with Shu Qui aiding her escape via satellite positioning while she fights off bad guys. Corey's talent shines through with the creativeness of the sequences and the mastery of their execution. Fantastic fights, sexy poses, alluring smiles are what's in store for you!
Now, I'm not saying that "So Close" is a perfect film but it is a very entertaining actioner. Despite the typical and unoriginal "cat and mouse" game, the film is a delight to watch. Also, the performances of Taiwanese actress Shu Qui and Hong Kong's own Zhao Wei offer a lot of depth for a hyped-up action film. Their characters are well-rounded and their acting skills (while not the best they've done) are fitting for the plot that manages to add a little "meat" to its unoriginality. Karen Mok may not be the sexiest of the bunch but she is a delight to watch; her "tough cop" character adds a little flare of masculinity mixed in feminine sexiness in the proceedings. While it did lose some of its momentum in the 2nd act that it almost fell to the canned melodrama entrapment, the final act of the film provided one of the most stylish, hyper-accelerated fight sequences that more than made up for its faults.
This action film is geared towards males but I'm pretty sure women will enjoy it also with its "women with guns" theme. I thought that this was one of the best imports I've seen in 2002 and well worth repeated viewings. My raging male hormones aside, the film successfully put everything together and gave me one of the most entertaining movie watching experience I've had in a long time.
SO CLOSE overshadowed all my expectations that it was another "Martial Angels" or Charlie's Angels" cardboard cutout copy; instead I was treated to an alluringly SEXY action film that is truly delightful to watch. The producers of the stupid "Charlie's Angels" franchise should take notes from this film on how to make the next sequel (If any). It is indeed FRESH and extremely raw. "SO CLOSE" offers a lot of martial arts action, bullet ballet and ultra-hot exotic women. It has ALL the factors any man will truly enjoy and is worthy of his dvd collection.
SO CLOSE is a welcome addition to the "Girls who kick butt" genre.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [4 stars]
Movie Review: Do Not Build Up to Shoot Down
Summary: 4 Stars
In So Close sisters Lynn and Sue (Shu Qi and Vicki Zhao respectively), are a pair of high-tech (and high priced) assassins who inherit, from their late father, a secret weapon: a satellite based surveillance package called World Panorama. World Panorama allows them to hack and use any closed-circuit camera system worldwide. Predictably, or there would be no movie, their current job has its share of complications. Chow (Deric Wan) hires the duo to assassinate his brother in a corporate takeover bid. To add spice to the mix, Hung (Karen Mok) completes the trio of beautiful (and strong) women as the creative but misguided detective investigating this case. There is a tinge of a homoerotic subplot between Hung and Sue that arguably does not satisfy on any level -- but let us not let it detract us from the action scenes, cinematography, and almost impossible high tech wizardry. The character of Lynn, conversely, is pulled in another direction.
Lynn is involved old love Yen (Song Seung-Hon), which makes her re-examine her chosen vocation. Lynn decides she wants out but there are, of course, complications. Sue, not having had any experience doing anything else and eager to prove herself to Lynn sets out to complete the contract -- which Lynn asked her to cancel -- on her own. Not to do a spoiler here but to Lynn's credit she has been protecting Sue from that side of the business in an effort to protect her from possible future guilt. I guess I can indulge in a little bit of cynicism here -- as being an accomplice would not give Sue night chills -- I need to constantly remember -- it is light. In a move that reminds of the Last Samurai (too many mind) leaving the trade might not be that easy for Lynn after all. For what impact that has on Lynn -- you will really need to watch the movie.
Okay, let us keep focused on the movie's plus side -- the action is entertaining. It has the predictable wire-work that Hong Kong action films are famous for. There is a ton of slow-motion as well as fast-cutting action thrown in the mix. I agree with some out there that arguably the most creative scene comes about halfway through the movie, when Hung finally meets the Lyn and Sue in an elevator. The bathroom scene early on with the two sisters going at it is pure exploitation -- but it is fun. The climax scene with Sue and Hung is not to be outdone as it is fast moving but nothing beats the close proximity type scenes to really create a sense of tension. There is the inevitable comparison to Corey Yuen's The Transporter -- which I have seen but am now really curious about after having seen So Close.
I am, of course still recovering from a Naked Weapon hangover and am worried I am paying to much attention to this genre. While Naked Weapon did not pull any punches -- such as a really disturbing rape scene. So Close does not suffer from this very disturbing misogynistic tendency. The slow-motion shots of Shu Qi's allow us to focus on her -- but who can complain, really. I certainly did not see the same type of exploitation here so in a fun sort of way we can ascribe some form of female liberation in this movie despite the hypersexualized characters of Lynn, Sue and Hung.
Similar to Naked Weapon, So Close is one of those movies that should enjoyed for what it is, pure entertainment. Now, if a critic is trying to make a name for him/herself (current writer excluded, of course) it is easy to try to make more of this movie and then shoot it down. That would be wrong. Realistically, about 95% of all the movies out there are light on the social commentary and heavy on the entertainment factor. Corey Yuen's So Close is one of those movies and to call attention to or to ask for a sophisticated plot is simply manipulation. I say see it for what it is and enjoy the special effects and decent action sequences -- for a simple fellow like me, it IS enough.
Miguel Llora