Fulltime Killer (2001) Review

“Fulltime Killer” Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Full Time Killer
Director: Johnnie To, Wai Ka Fai
Cast: Andy Lau, Takashi Sorimachi, Kelly Lin, Simon Yam, Cherrie Ying, Lam Suet, Teddy Lin Wai Kin, Rocky Lai Keung Kun, Liu Chun Hung
Running Time: 96 min.

By Alexander

Johnnie To hasn’t had the international success of Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers); the critical acclaim of Wong Kar Wai (Chungking Express, In the Mood For Love); or the international success AND critical acclaim of John Woo (The Killer, Bullet in the Head). However, he has churned out countless quality films over the years as both producer and director; films of wildly divergent genres and often-excellent performances. He’s one of the few filmmakers in the world that is adept at shifting from one genre to the next–from romantic comedy (Love on a Diet, Needing You) to slap-stick (Running on Karma) to gritty crime drama (PTU, The Mission, The Longest Nite). As one of the most prolific filmmakers around, it’s easy to excuse To for the occasional misstep, like My Left Eye Sees Ghosts. It’s easy to forgive the guy when he rushes a turd like Help!!! to the screen when–every now and then–he drops a new classic like Fulltime Killer into our laps.

Fulltime Killer (FTK) has been reviewed to death, so there’s not much more I can touch on that hasn’t already been mentioned in countless reviews, chatrooms and message boards. But I will offer that FTK is a great action film, primarily due to Andy Lau’s (“Tok”) and Takashi Sorimachi’s (“O”) performances; the innovative spin on an oft-used plot (assassin versus assassin and the woman that comes between them); and the deftly filmed action scenes (particularly the Macau showdown between the two killers).

There are a few things preventing me from exclaiming “It’s as good as The Killer!”, namely Simon Yam’s over-the-top performance (odd, since he was so reserved and reliable in To’s PTU) and the abrupt and awkward focus on his character towards the end of the film. I also didn’t believe in Shin’s (Kelly Lin) allegiance with either of these guys. More backstory profiling HER motivations would have made her role, which is central to the story, far more convincing. My final nitpick (and one that plagues far too many Asian films nowadays): the lack of sympathetic characters. We do understand the motivations of Tok and O, but because they recklessly kill innocent bystanders throughout the film in increasingly callous ways, why should we give a shit about either of them? Likewise for Shin, whom we know so little about (other than her apparent enamor of two hired killers). Likewise also for Lam’s detective, whose breakdown is so sudden and unexpected that we do not get a chance to muster much sympathy for him either.

Again, I’m nitpicking, as these details do not detract too much from what is otherwise one of Hong Kong’s best action offerings ever.

Alexander’s Rating: 8.5/10

By Joe909

An intriguing mix of hardcore action and floppish pretension, Fulltime Killer is one of the more visually-appealing movies Milkyway has released. Co-directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, I’m betting To did the action bits and Wai did the more artsy shots (such as the scene with Andy Lau and Kelly Lin together in her bedroom, with the flickering lamp). These two genres don’t always match up, but it’s still nice to see something that strives to be more than just another action movie.

I came across a snobbish review for the Korean movie “Guns & Talks” on MediaCircus.net by one Anthony Leong, who compared G&T with Fulltime Killer. Calling Fulltime Killer “unforgivable,” Leong went on to write that it was an “incomprehensibly pretentious blend of ‘Assassins’ and ‘Moulin Rouge'(!).” He then gushed all over “Guns & Talks.” I’m not sure if Leong and I saw the same movies, because the “Guns & Talks” I saw was a goofy, maudlin piece of shit, when compared to Fulltime Killer. Who knows, maybe Leong just can’t handle scenes that feature guys getting shotgunned to death, stabbed with nicotine-laced syringes, or puking their guts out after a hard run. But for those of us who can, Fulltime Killer is a nice diversion from the travails of ordinary life.

Even more of a tribute to action films than the previous To movie “A Hero Never Dies,” Fulltime Killer employs a multiple-character narrative that flows smoothly at first, but derails near the end when Simon Yam’s character suddenly takes center stage. This could easily have been fixed by giving Yam a little narration/introduction of his own at the beginning of the film, as all the other main characters are given. But instead we just see him trying to catch O and Tok, and don’t get into his head until he’s thrust down our throats as the caretaker of the O/Tok story. On my first viewing of FTK, this part really threw me off, but after successive viewings you’re prepared for it, and don’t mind as much.

Cast-wise, Andy Lau shines as Tok, a man who truly loves his job. I’ve never had a problem with Lau, so I think he does a fine job, playing up his real-life celebrity image in the role of the flamboyant killer for hire. Nice clothes, too. The Sorimachi cat is good as O, but I would’ve preferred Takeshi Kaneshiro. Kelly Lin is also good, if a bit too grungy for a leading actress. I thought O’s first housekeeper was cuter.

The action scenes are all well-directed and staged, but I do admit I’m getting tired of all of these one-sided gun fights. Most of the action scenes in Fulltime Killer are comprised of either Tok or O shooting at unarmed victims. There are a handful of two-sided battles, though (and in one case, three-sided), and these really recall the heroic bloodsheds of the past. But still, it always upsets me that recent HK action movies have failed to match the sheer over-the-topness of John Woo in his prime. When Woo had gun battles, they were epic. In these modern-day movies, they’re over too quick, and they just don’t have that sense of apocalypse that Woo’s did. Fulltime Killer is no different.

The thematic differences between O and Tok are highlighted throughout the movie, giving FTK a nice touch. This really shows up in the final battle between O and Tok, in which O hides quietly in the shadows (just as he goes about his jobs in a silent, casual manner), whereas Tok blasts away, drawing all kinds of attention to himself. I also like how Tok and O are presented as larger-than-life characters, who sometimes interact with ordinary mortals. This is what I took from the scene between Lau and Yam, in Yam’s office; Yam’s character has Tok cornered in a cell, with no way out. But when Yam turns around, Tok has disappeared. No ordinary person could’ve done this, it’s impossible. And in fact, this drives Yam insane, for after all, he’s a “real person,” trying to catch two men who are more myth than real.

In all, a more traditional action/killers-for-hire movie than the usual Milkyway film, but the artsy little montages sometimes get in the way, and the ending with Simon Yam could have been fixed up. Probably the worst thing about Fulltime Killer is that To et al never followed up on it. At the time of the film’s release, To announced to the press that Fulltime Killer was the dawn of a “new era for Milkyway,” one in which they would really focus on making quality action movies. Instead, they released “Running Out of Time 2” and a bunch of lame comedies.

Joe909’s Rating: 9/10

By Canuck

‘Who the fuck do you think you are? O?’

Fulltime Killer is just like Time and Tide, people love it to death, while the rest just think it’s a piece of crud and a waste of an hour and a half. For me, I’m with the group who think this movie just plain kicks ass.

Andy Lau plays contract killer Tok, a hitman who once had a chance for a gold medal at the Olympics is now an up and coming hitman, he ain’t like your normal batch of killers, he’s cocky, charismatic and of course, has a huge fetish for moviesÉaction movies to be precise. Then you have O (Takashi Sorimachi) he’s nothing like Tok at all, he’s more of a loner, and with all those cameras in his apartment, one would think this guy is a stalkerÉor even a pedophile for that matter. But he’s the number 1 killer in Asia, so I guess it’s alright for him to do that then, eh? And in the middle of all of this is Shin (Kelly Lin) who is a cleaner for O, and works at a video store as well. Then of course you got Interpol agents (Badass Simon Yam and newcomer Cherrie Ying, who has her voice dubbed over for some odd reason) after O’s ass as well, so now all hell is gonna break lose!

Ahhhh, Fulltime Killer, in my opinion one of the finest movies to come out of HK for awhile. How can you not like a movie where the main star (IMO) is a huge movie buff and uses his movie knowledge for his hits? And if you don’t like the guy, at least you can deal with O. Or even Kelly Lin for that matter.

Since this movie deals with killers, you know you’ll get your dose of action and FTK definitely delivers. Johnnie To once again shows his stuff and makes some damn fine classic scenes, you can’t go wrong with ‘Bill Clinton’ gunning down some baddies with a shotgun while some opera tune playing in the background. But that one part where the Jerry Lamb wannabe gets his kneecaps blown out is a scene to behold. You also get some Apartment Complex shootout and a scene where Tok takes out a few coppers up on a room a mile away! Fun times!

Now, the only problem I had (and with everyone else) are the scenes with Simon Yam after the halfway mark. We get going with Tok/O/Shin when all of a sudden Yam pops out of nowhere and all of a sudden becomes suicidal (I guess it was for Cherrie biting the dust) I’m not sure why this had to do with the movie, since it deals with ‘Fulltime Killer’ but I must say Yam speaks some ok English, better then Michael Wong’s Chinglish I might add (I think I’m pushing it nowÉ) and what was up with Lam Suet (aka my hero) speaking English? And with everyone else speaking every language known to man as well? I know there trying to get some international flavour into the movie. But one or two languages are enough for one movie!

Acting wise, everyone was good. Andy Lau steals the show as Tok, I’m not a fan of his Canto Pop shit, but he makes Tok one badass motherfucker! Sorimachi does well with O, I haven’t seen his ‘GTO’ work, but he acts like a hitman with flying colours. Kelly Lin is still number 1 in my book. I’ll always have my zooming button ready when that ass shot hits!  But the one thing I quickly want to talk about is Lam Suet. I thought he rocked as ‘Fat Ice’ it’s just a shame he isn’t in the movie a lot more then he is. Since ‘Fat Ice’ is one cool snobby boss.

In all, a great action that does have some flaws, but in the end, it’s still a winner. I wish I had the DVD instead of the crummy VCD, since I’ve heard some great things about it.

Check it out; it’s one of the best action flicks to come out of HK in a long time!

Canuck’s Rating: 9/10

By TheFrankEinstein

Before Fulltime Killer, I didn’t like Andy Lau. From what little I’d seen of him, he, for some reason, reminded me of Dr. Smith from Lost in Space. The British guy from the original TV series, not Gary Oldman. But now I don’t know what to think of him. He kinda reminds me of Austin Powers now, with those elfish Italian boots. But what the heck, he turned Tok into a likeable, sympathetic, foamy-mouthed anti-hero, so he can be my guest and wear the hell out of those skin-tight black leather pants.

As for the guy who played O… well, I didn’t know him before, and I really don’t know him now. I don’t object to anything in his performance, but he was greatly overshadowed by co-stars Andy Lau, Kelly Lin and Bill Clinton.

Simon Yam, I love the guy, but he can’t speak English very well. Or, at most, he speaks it gutturally, reminiscent of Donald Duck. And is over-acting a familiar thing with him? I’d never noticed anything like this before. When he ran through the library, gun drawn, looking to blow the head off any old lady looking up radish sauce recipes, I was shocked. “Is this the Simon Yam I know?” I wondered aloud before my friend also wondered aloud “You know Simon Yam!?”. But other than the over-acting, he was completely wasted. Not coming to the forefront of the movie until the third act, this painfully short movie could have done so much with him given another half hour. I agree with what Tequila has said below, the latter third of the movie shifts far too much of its weight onto this character who’d up until then been nothing more than a supporting player.

Kelly Lin, as Chin, appears to speak enough languages to intimidate me to no end, and looks really cute too. Hey, American actresses have gotten an Oscar nod for half of that (I’ll let you guess which half.) Her character shifts speeds a little too abruptly for my tastes, but that’s not Ms. Lin’s fault.

About two-thirds of the way in, I still thought I was watching a Hollywood movie made in Hong Kong. And to be honest, I felt betrayed. I was the bitter Trekkie to whom Brent Spiner wasn’t overly gracious to at the Star Trek convention. But then (SPOILER!) O started shooting cops! Then Chin joined in! What the hell! Isn’t this the good guy? And he’s shooting cops? AND THE VIDEO STORE CLERK? And then I remembered that I got this from Hong Kong. And it was at that point Fulltime Killers redeemed itself. It became unpredictable in the way that I had expected (huh?). The way I expect all Hong Kong movies to be. The way all Milkyway movies are. Then things really got nutty when Simon Yam proceeded to not pay a bit of mind to the fact that cops were dropping like flies all around him, obsessed with the capture of his quarry before the safety of his officers. So this was a Hong Kong movie after all. (END SPOILER)

In reflection, I really was looking forward to this movie. I’d enjoyed all previous Milkyway movies I’d seen, and had high expectations for this one. And then that DVD case! Wow! And the little DVD snappy holder thing! I was entertained by the box for two days before I even touched the movie. I’ll go ahead and admit it, this was a very sparkly movie. It was a Hong Kong movie given (at least what appeared to be) a Hollywood budget. So it had the great look of your average American blockbuster, but then the characters began doing things that the MPAA would never approve of. So I did enjoy the glimpse into what would happen if the Hong Kong industry invaded the Hollywood hills like in the days of the Song Dynasty. But as the closing credits rolled, I felt empty. I expected depth, I expected originality, I expected insane action sequences. But what Fulltime Killer delivered was a forgettable story, a mutant rehash of The Longest Nite, a couple of one-sided “gunfights” in which only one party fires their weapons and, contrary to the rest of the movie, a predictable ending, all to complete a movie that I don’t see as all that worthy of the Milkyway seal of quality (much less that great theme song!) So, to make a long-winded review a little longer, my high hopes for Fulltime Killer proved more than the actual movie could bear. But I’ll be doggoned if it didn’t come in a cool box!

TheFrankEinstein’s Rating: 6/10

By EKU®

Andy Lau plays Tok, a flashy assassin who always get his jobs done. He watches movies and tries to copy their styles of killing… He tries to claim the #1 assassin title. Takashi Sorimachi is Ono (or “O” for short), a quiet famed assassin who lives in a lonely world. He is coping with the lost of his love, Nancy. He hires a new girl (Chin) to clean his flat, who he watched from the building across the street. Simon Yam is the international cop hot on the tail of “O”, trying to catch him. Tok becomes friends with Chin and hence creating a triangular relationship between them and “O”. And so, the story begins..

During the movie, I found that it made many references to things of my childhood. For example, Tok makes a statement about “Crying Freeman”, and he later refers to the video game “Metal Slug”. I found his character very interesting. Sometimes, he acts so normal, you almost forgot that he’s got some serious personal problems. Some scenes kinda makes you feel bad or sorry for him. He is a hero, or a fallen hero. Johnny To does another good job making this film.

This movie has elements from “A Hero Never Dies”, and “The Longest Nite”, both directed by Johnny. I didn’t find any theme music that occurs throughout however… although, there were multiple classical pieces with I know of. For example, Beethoven’s 9th was in there… and also, Chopin’s piano piece was also there… very cool how those pieces fit into the movie. All the actors/actresses did an amazing job. But, Andy’s acting was the strong point here. This movie was successful and it had to do alot with him. It’s nice to see how he has become an mature actor throughout the years.

EKU®’s Rating: 8.5/10

By Tequila

just saw the new Johnnie To/Milkyway flick and I have to say, he did a good job.

O is a famed hitman, he is Japanese. He hires a cleaner, Chin (Kelly Lin), for his flat but he doesn’t actually live there; he watches from across the street. He only uses the place as a fake address, see: his previous cleaner was killed by those looking for him. Meanwhile, Lok Tok Wah (Andy Lau Tak Wah – they really changed his name a lot, huh?) is a new hitman on the scene but he is very flamboyant and watches a lot of movies, copying them. In a great scene he executes a target wearing a Bill Clinton mask, pretending to be in Point Blank. Tok is out to kill O as he wants to be a legend. Meanwhile, he befriends Chin.

I don’t want to talk about the plot as it is hard to explain it without giving a lot away, but the film itself is very good and a worthy addition to the Milkyway resume.

The problems with the film may bug you a lot, or you won’t care too much and love the movie even more. Simon Yam isn’t in it much and the ending kinda suffers as he becomes very prominent at the end and the lack of build up with his character could have been rectified as Fulltime Killer is only 90 odd minutes long and I wouldn’t have minded another half hour. Also, it doesn’t know if it wants to be arthouse or mainstream – I loved the approach but you might not. Oh, and one other thing – Tok’s epilepsy isn’t used enough in my opinion – okay, it’s vital to the plot but the finale could have been more inventive in that way.

Andy Lau is great in this as the movie buff psychopath, I really thought that it’s his best performance in a long while – he’s a bit like a cross between Kevin Spacey in Se7en and Brad Pitt in Fight Club with a bit of originality; he has the psychotic element of Spacey and the flamboyancy of Pitt.

O (Takeshi Sorimachi I think his name is) is played well, he could be a name to watch out for in the future but his role wasn’t as challenging as Lau’s in my mind, so you can review him for yourself if you want.

The support is done well by all, and the cinematography is very “A Hero Never Dies” like, only with more city involved.

Tequila’s Rating: 8.5/10 (maybe a little too slick and Hollywood for some, but I loved it’s style – like Leon if made in HK)