The Mission
by Johnnie To
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Francis Ng, Jackie Lui Chung-yin, Roy Cheung, Suet LamDirector: Johnnie To
Cinematographer: Siu-keung Cheng
Producer: Johnnie To
Editor: Chi Wai Chan
Producer: Catherine Chan
Producer: Christina Lee Storm
Producer: Elos Gallo
Writer: Nai-Hoi Yau
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Cantonese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Mandarin Chinese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 81 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-04-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Tai Seng
Movie Reviews of The Mission
Movie Review: A 5-Star Movie on a 2-Star DVD (No Spoilers)
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, let's start with the negative, which is the actual DVD presentation itself. Unfortunately, as of this posting, you are not likely to find a 'good' copy of this movie on DVD. Just about every copy out there has some type of major flaw. Most look as if they're simply transfers from VCD's, meaning the picture is of a poor resolution on par with a VHS. The picture is not formatted for widescreen, although it does have black bars top and bottom. Most discs will have a burn or watermark in the image of the distributor's name or of their logo, most noticeable when the screen is very dark (but you will get used to it after a few minutes). The subtitles come and go as fast as I've ever seen them. This is a good choice if you want to learn to speed read. The sound is fairly abysmal, despite saying it's of the 5.1 variety (although I couldn't decipher much 'actual' surround on my system). It sound more like plain old stereo. The menu even looks as if it was made on a home PC. And yes, the music is a love-it-or-hate-it, very cheesy synth score that sometimes feels like it's on a permanent loop. After a while it will fade into the background, I promise. But, if you can look past these aesthetic flaws, you're in for one fantastic film.
To appreciate a Johnnie To film is to first understand what it isn't. If you're idea of HK cinema (or what you're looking for) consists of John Woo and Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam directing actors who fly through the air whilst mowing down wave after wave of men in the most highly choreographed way possible and cameras that fly around the sets, Johnnie To is not for you. Although he does have 'action' scenes in his movies and he does shoot in a very stylistic way, I would hardly call his films action movies.
Trailers for his films, especially The Mission, Exiled, and PTU, will give you the impression that these films are action bonanzas. They are not. In The Mission, there are 3 major actions sequences. But, ironically enough, despite being shootouts, most of the people in these scenes don't really move very much. No spinning, flying through the air, 2-gun, hailstorm of lead types of scenes (which I LOVE, BTW-but these aren't that). These action scenes are meant to create tension and develop character. If you watch closely, the way that the characters react to these scenes will give you deep insight into their character. Most people who feel that these characters are shallow were probably looking for them to "dialogue" about themselves more. In fact, there's very little dialogue in this film.
What makes this film great is the way that the characters interact with one another, the way we learn about them through their mannerisms, style of dress, fighting style, etc. . . Even though the characters didn't say much, I felt like I knew more about them than most other action/thriller characters.
Also, the story is fantastic. It seems straight forward, but with Johnnie, it rarely is. He puts little things here and there than keep a story from every being a point a to b type of film. It all builds to a payoff that I felt was very much worth it. This film should be viewed more as something like "The Departed" or "The Usual Suspects". Sure, those movies had lots of guns and gangsters, but they didn't have much action. Character and story drove those movies forward. I think people let the 'Hong Kong' moniker taint their expectations.
The bottom line is that if you're looking for a solid crime drama, with storytelling that's more visual and artistic and creative than the standard fare, with interesting characters, great style, and a very solid story, this is a fantastic pick, as well as To's Exiled (my personal favorite of his) Election 1 and 2, and PTU.
Summary of The Mission
After a failed assassination attempt on mob boss lung he hires five killers of diverse backgrounds as bodyguards and to seek out the enemy. The danger that comes with the job gradually brings the men closer until an unexpected turn of events put their friendship and loyalty to the test. Studio: Tai Seng Entertainment Release Date: 09/21/2004 Starring: Anthony Wong Simon Yam Run time: 88 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Johnny ToThis rewarding Hong Kong action movie has a sleek yet realistic style that lifts it above the average crime thriller. When someone attempts to take out a mob boss named Mr. Lung, the boss's brother Frank (played by the great Simon Yam) puts together a team of five bodyguards to protect Lung. At first the team is bored as nothing happens. They bicker among themselves and run errands. After a close call, they pull themselves into a ruthlessly efficient unit. Both the mundanity and the high tension of their lives are vividly evoked. Slowly, the personalities of the individual bodyguards come to light in snapshot scenes. But when the threat to Mr. Lung is resolved, their troubles really begin; one of them is accused of having an affair with Lung's wife, and the others must kill him or be killed themselves. The Mission seems confusing at first because it doesn't follow the usual rules for a thriller of this kind. The jagged yet riveting scenes, enhanced by low-key yet compelling performances and superb cinematography, come together like fragments of a shattered picture. Without seeming to tell you anything, The Mission paints a tense portrait of these men's mutual bond. Despite the melodramatic elements of the plot, the movie's attention to realistic detail makes the stakes matter. Well worth viewing. --Bret Fetzer
Similar DVD Movies
PTU: Police Tactical UnitWellspring Media INC; Release date: 2008-03-25; DVD
Best price: $0.97
Price in other shops:
Running Out of TimeTAI Seng Entertainment; Release date: 2001-02-13; DVD
Best price: $77.00
I Saw the DevilMHE; Release date: 2011-05-10; DVD
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops:
Full Time KillerUniversal Studios; Release date: 2004-10-19; DVD
Best price: $8.28
Price in other shops:
The Man From NowhereRelease date: 2011-03-08; DVD
Best price: $9.97
Price in other shops:
Breaking NewsUniversal Studios; Release date: 2006-03-07; DVD
Best price: $11.89
Price in other shops:
VengeanceMPI; Release date: 2010-11-16; DVD
Best price: $6.09
Price in other shops:
Triad ElectionGenius; Release date: 2007-09-11; DVD
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops:
ExiledMAGNOLIA HOME ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2007-12-04; DVD
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
ElectionGenius; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops: