Running Out of Time

This movie is just execptional. Andy Lau and Lau Ching-Wan put in an amazing display of pure A-class acting. This was also the first film Andy Lau won the Best Actor award at that Hong Kong Film Awards in 1999 (The second was his equally impressive performance in 2003's Running on Karma).

The film reminds me a lot of Ocean's Eleven, The Great Escape, and a sort of prequel feel to 2002's Infernal Affairs. This movie is all about plotting with style and at some time, comedy. Running out of Time does not have the uber serious tones of Infernal Affairs, but it has just as much style. Lau Ching-Wan plays a very intelligent detective/negotiator on a little 72 hour game Andy Lau has set up. Andy only have a short about of time to live due to his cancer problem and vow revenge against a group of people who have once kicked his father out of business. It isn’t what he’s doing that’s interesting here, it’s how he’s doing it. The movie turns into a complete joy ride of unexpected, but at the same time, expected events as the two intellect battle each other's wit and limits.

The movie is exactly what Hong Kong movie is about. It's a fun action movie with lots of great acting, bits of comedy relief, and plenty of surprises.

Year: 1999
Director: Johnnie To

9.2/10