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Hard Boiled
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Hard Boiled

1992
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 8m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 68.29% from 2259 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2259)
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Rated 25 Mar 2011
90
92nd
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG *Terrible music* BANG BANG BANG *more terrible music* BANG BANG BANG ~Hard Boiled
Rated 28 Feb 2011
84
90th
A glorious, balls-to-the-wall tribute to Man's ability to kill the everliving shit out of its fellow Man. Ideally, this review would be an eternally looping image of a gun, on fire, disgorging bullets into what once was living human tissue while things explode in the background. Since that won't happen, the clumsily scribbled words 'raddest action movie ever' will have to suffice.
Rated 15 Feb 2011
9
93rd
This movie is like playing Doom on God mode. Who cares about story when the action is this good? And plus there's almost no scenes without a dude getting shot and blood going everywhere so quit complaining about story, you know what you're getting and it's awesome.
Rated 19 Sep 2007
4
83rd
Holy crap, is this gritty. Pretend I just put that first "gritty" in italics to underscore the fact that it is gritty. Sandpaper has nothing on this, that is how gritty it is (because sandpaper is also quite gritty or so I am told). The tracking shot through the hospital corridor is one of my all time favorites. Gritty.
Rated 09 May 2008
75
61st
This movie is about shooting. It is about shooting everyone and everything, all of it.
Rated 24 Jan 2007
72
41st
It's John Woo, so let's get the obvious out of the way: the action scenes are magnificently choreographed orgies of blood and bullets, gleefully over the top. Unfortunately, the plot surrounding them is a clichéd cop story, chock full of horrible dialogue and stock characters. Fun to watch once, but really has nothing to offer in the long run. Also: terrible music.
Rated 23 Jul 2008
100
98th
John Woo's best film ever made! Oozes with style and is just awesome. I mean, it has slow motion, stylish shootouts, ridiculous balls to the wall action and is of course: gritty. Greatest action movie of this genre, and to this day still hasn't been topped.
Rated 29 Sep 2010
83
79th
Watch it if not for plot or character then the action which is extremely well-done (Woo, the man). Shaky cam, fast editing and glossy cinematography may fool you, but it will never come close to this kind of pure, meticulously choreographed, cinematic splendor... - Saying anymore would automatically spoil awesome "Hell no... FUCK YEAH!"-moments
Rated 14 Dec 2006
93
73rd
OK. Stop. Look at that picture they use to show the movie. It's Chow Yun Fat, sliding down a banister, with a gun in each hand AND A TOOTHPICK IN HIS MOUTH. HELL YEAH!
Rated 22 Jan 2007
5
91st
The greatest gunfights in film, bar-none. Nothing I've seen even compares - not even Woo's own The Killer. The story isn't magnificent, but it's a more than serviceable treatment of cops-and-criminals archetypes and gives some gravity to all the action. Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung are both excellent in their roles - it's a dream-team pairing, as each oozes charisma. As high-octane and creative as action movies get.
Rated 20 Feb 2007
79
70th
A pretty good action flick coming from pre-Hollywood John Woo. Some very intense action scenes with classic action movie cheese dialog. Great stuff.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
83
86th
A fierce maelstrom of gunpowder, smoking rubble and heroic sentiment. The critic in me was kicked out of my head, shot to small pieces then blown up by several tons of explosives. An unabashed melodrama of balletic violence.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
42nd
Excellent and stylish action sequences. That's about it, though, as the story is contrived and not engaging, the dialogue is corny, and the lame saxophone solos become irritating.
Rated 25 Jun 2012
93
99th
This is the definition of an action movie, nothing else even comes close. While it's not my favorite John Woo film (Bullet in the Head) nor my favorite Chow Yun Fat film (A Better Tomorrow or Peace Hotel) It is my favorite pure unadulterated action film. It's just so awe inspiring, amazing and over the top but still dramatic that I can't help but love it. Not to mention that it features some of my favorite actors. it's got style, coolness and yes even depth hell it has everything.
Rated 30 Jan 2008
95
97th
The mother of all action movies: The coolness of Chow Yun Fat, the gunfights with slow motion, the babies tossed like footballs, the bystanders used as human shields!
Rated 16 Mar 2008
90
69th
Gun porn. But what magnificent gun porn it is!
Rated 30 Mar 2009
70
50th
Yeah amazing gun fighting action, but I didn't like the low budget look, editing, and music, the below average acting, the indifferent attitude towards massive amounts of innocent people dying, and the bad dialogue. A movie like Running Scared, for example, doesn't have as much action but is superior in every other respect, gets complaints and mixed reviews, yet all the flaws in this movie are forgiven. Something is wrong here.
Rated 18 Feb 2010
80
84th
This is pure stylized destruction. Woo wasn't even trying to insert coherent drama into the film and just went totally balls out. Hollywood has been trying for nearly two decades now to mimic this. Not highbrow cinema but it shows gratuitous violence so skilfully that you just have to love it.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
0
10th
some guys get shot and tony leung is in it. who cares about action when there's zero tension?
Rated 23 Nov 2011
85
89th
Takes the 80's American action addiction and makes it actually one hundred percent awesome. It had a good story, awesome fight sequences and amazing gun play. The only thing that could have made it any better is if he had used the babies as weapons.
Rated 30 Mar 2007
90
86th
Very good John Woo action fantasy. Worth it just to see Chow Yun-Fat rap
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
The best action movie ever, hands down. This is The Standard against which all other action movies should be judged. #5 in my all time top 10.
Rated 11 Jul 2018
3
45th
Ingeniously visualized, brilliantly choreographed. Of course it is. This movie is cool as hell, but in truth it does go on a little too long. The hospital sequence is non-stop exhausting, and features a lame subplot about the evacuation of newborns from the maternity ward: a strange and sentimental point about the sanctity of life in a film where otherwise literal hundreds die glorified deaths.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
85th
Like a completely insane Lethal Weapon movie. This is beautifully staged and photographed action with comedy that works.
Rated 28 Apr 2018
59
17th
Technically a very polished action drama, but Woo's overly fussy direction means that the balletic action scenes, while beautiful to look at, contain no resounding impact or drama; it doesn't help that the crime plot linking the scenes is overly familiar and exposition heavy, not to mention melodramatic. Yun-Fat and Leung make a serviceable action team, but seem overwhelmed by the carnage around them; impressive (and fiery) action finale is the highlight of the film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
97th
Tequila kills a lot of people and only reloads when he needs to talk to someone. John Woo cameos as the bar owner who doles out random life advice. Tony Leung gets about 90000 volts to the chest but survives. Minus 2 points for the random parts of this movie spoken in English. Sort of a Woo trademark but it's really funky.
Rated 28 Oct 2007
85
92nd
Hong Kong, John Woo, Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung. Need I say more?
Rated 25 Feb 2008
86
87th
This must be what Michael Davis had in mind when he made Shoot 'em Up. Chow Yun-Fat is tough as a nail.
Rated 19 Apr 2012
40
43rd
Hard Boiled. Also known as 'Chow Yun-Fat Saves Hundreds of Babies from Premature Hearing Loss while Sliding on Gurneys to Dodge Bullets in a Mob Hospital - The Movie'. The plot can best be summed up with a quote from our pock-faced villain, Johnny Wong: 'There's no choice. The innocent must die.' Cue unused Caribbean steel drum tracks from Commando and start firing!
Rated 14 Jun 2008
95
99th
Very Great
Rated 13 Apr 2012
92
92nd
The number one reason I recommend this movie to people is the insane amount of innocent bystanders that get shot. I'm talking Grand Theft Auto levels of civilian kills.
Rated 21 Oct 2021
90
87th
In a sense, this is the ultimate John Woo film, while not exactly being his best film. This film is essentially three action sequences, the final one lasting for nearly half of the film's run time, that are easily the greatest action sequences (at least in the sub-category of gun mayhem) ever committed to film. The remainder of the film is ... a functional skeleton for linking these three sequences together.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
60
46th
It has good action scenes, the relentless pace, extremely violent. But if you examine the story of the film, the script is very weak.
Rated 23 Apr 2009
96
97th
One of the best action films ever made.
Rated 28 Apr 2017
100
99th
While undermining macho culture -- origamis, roses, babies --, Woo delivers his most harrowing actioner. There is always an innocent about to be shot by triad armies, while law enforcement relies only on Tequilla's tormented journey of vengeance and Long as undercover cop. It starts with a shooting at a restaurant to finally end in a hospital reduced to ashes after long shots, slowmos and frozen frames of men shooting, bleeding, sweating, breaking glasses and literally on fire. Ballet of mayhem.
Rated 05 Apr 2012
86
79th
One of the most violent and intensely choreographed action films ever made. Each death is stunningly featured in slow-motion glory and every blood splatter is positioned with a keen eye for style. I can only imagine seeing this before the age of modern video games and being totally blown away. Sadly, having been somewhat de-sensitized by all the imitators and a world where GTA exists, some of the shoot-outs become repetitive. And yet, despite that, it's surprising how well this film has aged.
Rated 27 Jun 2015
58
74th
Style can really only bring a movie so far. The action in this film is amazing, the hero is in constant peril, there is mystery, fear, character building; and the effects were incredible! The story and characters are just a little too bland and generic, the dialogue is awful, plus the music, design and some editing choices are very dated.
Rated 11 Aug 2015
100
91st
John Woo's Hard Boiled tells the story of jaded detective "Tequila" Yuen (played with controlled fury by Chow Yun-fat). Woo's dizzying odyssey through the world of Hong Kong Triads, undercover agents, and frenzied police raids culminates unforgettably in the breathless hospital sequence.
Rated 21 Mar 2010
86
89th
Stylish, tough as nails action flick with Chow Yun-Fat at the helm. Great action film from John Woo.
Rated 09 May 2010
9
83rd
so hong kong is basically liberia but rich isn't it
Rated 23 Jul 2010
78
59th
Some great action sequences, but the movie was incredibly cheesy. There were about 100,000 people that died during the course of the movie, but the final 20 minutes revolved around saving ~8 babies.
Rated 31 Jul 2010
9
90th
The culmination of John Woo's short-lived Hong Kong career, which seems to lack 'The Killer's refined touch at first, but as the story moves forward and a myriad of great characters are introduced, it becomes one heck of a ride. Yun-Fat and Leung are a badass duo and the 3rd act is beyond words. The only qualm I have about this film is that no one seems to reload their guns...ever, on top of unloading them eratically. Screw it, see it and then see it again, with all of your hard-boiled friends.
Rated 29 Apr 2020
90
91st
Under Quarantine Film Reviews #63: Hard Boiled is full of chaotic, frenetic energy that works immensely towards its favor. John Woo goes full John Woo by creating an insane balls-the-wall tribute to the genre and gets the most out of both his charismatic leads. Up there in the annals of greatest action movies I've watched.
Rated 27 Aug 2010
8
88th
Woo's attention to style, detail and brilliant camera work engage the action in a manner unmatched. At times you feel like an omnipotent being, observing the destruction with your own will, from every angle, engulfed and mesmerized by the horror, and ironically, the sheer beauty of its magnitude. This is like a symphony of terror and carnage, executed with passion, flair and finesse. A must see.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
84
84th
Movie is awesome for being so fucking over the top. Unlike some action flicks that suffer for being like this, John Woo knows how to drizzle it on and make it fun without inducing eye rolling.
Rated 07 Jul 2011
82
83rd
Makes the most insane drinking game ever: take a sip everytime someone shoots + every explosion. Please message me if you've done it and didn't die. I was also shot while watching this. Too bad some parts were extremely corny
Rated 18 Aug 2011
100
99th
THEY SHOOT THROUGH CURTAINS AND THE CURTAINS CATCH ON FIRE
Rated 23 Nov 2020
95
96th
This film had me practicing karate moves and shooting my finger gun after I finished. This is so effortlessly cool.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
78
81st
Chow Yun Fat slides down a banister with double pistols and manages not to choke on that awesome toothpick in his mouth. How can that not be an awesome movie? JOHN WOO GUNS AND DOVES, GO SEE HARD BOILED
Rated 05 Jan 2013
87
91st
86.500
Rated 13 Jun 2007
85
82nd
A gritty, over the top action movie with one of the best shootouts ever filmed.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
95
98th
High water-mark of the action genre.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
85th
Great action movie, highly entertaining.
Rated 02 Apr 2024
23
15th
Didn't make it very far. Couldn't see what all the fuss was about, though action scene very balletic to start with
Rated 30 Apr 2018
85
66th
More precise and refined than "The Killer" but it loses some of the magic of it's predacessor in the process.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
97th
One of the best action films of all time. The only John Woo movie I like strangely.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
94th
Eat your heart out The Matrix, this just blows away anything you ever tried to achieve. The hospital sequence is AMAZING! There's this tracking shot that blows away everything I've ever seen in an action flix. John Woo I salute you!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
98th
One of the greatest SUSTAINED ACTION movies of all time.
Rated 02 Sep 2023
75
55th
Nach ein paar Startschwierigkeiten zieht der Film in der zweiten Hälfte noch einmal etwas an. Die Gründe für das Hervorhechten, Geballer und die Explosionen erschließen sich dem geneigten Gweilo nicht immer vollständig. Aber: Keine Angst, Tequila bringt alles in Ordnung.
Rated 31 May 2014
88
88th
Possibly the finest action gunfight explosion shattered-glass kind of movie you'll ever see! Seriously top notch choreography and some cliche yet badass moments throughout.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
93rd
The original!
Rated 21 Aug 2007
97
95th
2 guns! 2 guns down a banister! John Woo starts a trend that cannot be stopped.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
70
63rd
entertaining action film
Rated 16 Jul 2023
30
17th
don't remember it
Rated 09 Apr 2018
91
98th
Best. Action. Movie. Ever. Nothing will ever come this close to being a perfect action flick.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
75
81st
fabulous action film!
Rated 27 Jan 2008
65
85th
Expert action in true spectacular-unrealistic HK fashion. Starts and doesn't ever stop.
Rated 29 Jan 2008
90
90th
The best use of guns in a movie ever.
Rated 19 Dec 2022
78
92nd
It took me a bit of time at first getting into it, it was like I was too stupid to really understand who was with what team and what was going on. But once you get the game, it's easier to be flabbergasted by the endless amount of shooting and killing happening. It's so over the top it loops around to being accidentally hilarious
Rated 13 Apr 2008
93
85th
If the phrase "Bullet Ballet" appeared in the dictionary, it would probably include a reference to see "Hard Boiled." John Woo's later Hong-Kong films show maturity and grace. I am sure to newcomers this stuff may be a bit old-hat because of the influence his films have had on western action cinema. This is the high-water-mark. The plot, characters, soundtrack, cinematography come together nicely (though nothing is quite perfect) to be greater than the sum of its parts. A must see- for all.
Rated 10 Jun 2008
45
8th
Too much..
Rated 05 Nov 2022
90
93rd
Mixes very possibly the best action ever filmed and displayed on a screen with a tone that meets the gunplay’s level of intensity, a lot of genuinely funny ridiculous humour that doesn’t detract from the serious elements (Chow Yun-fat RAPS to a BABY), and a ridiculous amount of charisma emanating off of two of the best leads in the business at the time. I even liked the music!
Rated 22 May 2014
46
23rd
Utter nonsense interspersed with some over the top shootouts
Rated 10 Sep 2008
80
81st
With this, there is no doubt in my mind, John Woo is the greatest director of action ever.
Rated 21 Sep 2008
85
78th
My favorite by Chow Yun Fat! Man i still got only the LD...
Rated 12 Oct 2008
9
96th
One of the first movies I fell in love with. Chow Yun Fat is godly.
Rated 20 Oct 2008
95
92nd
My favourite action movie of all time. John Woo's last Hong Kong flick and he goes out with a huge bang! Dirty Harry ain't got nothing compared to Tequila, the three big spectacular shootouts left me mucho excited and Chow Yun Fat is one of the coolest actors alive. MUST SEE!!!
Rated 25 Feb 2018
80
78th
Totally over-the-top cop movie, with about a billion shots fired. The story is a little weak, but the action choreography (and the shootouts) are the focal point. Nice cameo by Philip Kwok too, who also has a few shootouts left in him. (A bit difficult to watch, though, a week after yet another school shooting in real life.)
Rated 02 May 2014
85
89th
Now this is an action movie. There are so many crazy, exciting action scenes in this movie. There are some truly stunning action sequences that I have never seen anything like before in this motion picture. Both Yun-Fat Chow and Tony Leung are excellent in this movie. I highly recommend this film to any action fan.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
85
91st
The best buddy cop movie I have ever seen, and the gunfight...DAMN!
Rated 13 Feb 2009
3
74th
It's probably John Woo's best movie.
Rated 14 Apr 2009
94
96th
John Woo can blow the shit out of any set.
Rated 18 Apr 2014
75
67th
If you love guns and bullets and babies and eye-patches than please watch this movie and be totally enthralled.
Rated 02 Aug 2009
72
72nd
When John Woo gets it right.
Rated 29 Sep 2009
30
18th
Aged very bad (2009).
Rated 21 Oct 2009
93
54th
Asian Conan and "Wait, that guy's not Asian - he's WHITE!"
Rated 18 Dec 2009
64
52nd
A lot of really entertaining and stylish action in this Hongkong film about a tough cop working together with a mysterious undercover agent. The saxophone soundtrack didn't annoy me as much as it did some, reminding me of Blade Runner at times. The dozens and dozens of people being shot to death did annoy me though. It was just way over the top, trying to distract the viewer from the fact that the plot is quite thin. Still, if there was such a thing as gun porn, Hard-Boiled would be it.
Rated 01 Feb 2017
60
47th
It gets dull after some time.
Rated 25 May 2010
70
75th
Blowing the door with gunpowder, that was good.
Rated 05 Jun 2021
100
99th
Pure concentrated action.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
80
66th
The dub makes this film unintentionally hilarious, it's still a great film regardless
Rated 25 Sep 2010
73
88th
Better action than The Killer but I still prefer the latter (slightly), it focuses far more on the action than the melodrama.
Rated 23 Nov 2010
85
80th
I'm not entirely sure there was a story or plot of any form. Who cares.
Rated 23 Dec 2020
30
59th
Rated 06 Mar 2011
43
7th
Overstimulating and visually tiring
Rated 31 Mar 2011
70
79th
Revisited (2)
Rated 23 Dec 2020
70
67th
Snazzy soundtrack
Rated 03 May 2016
85
80th
Some real corniness here but I've already spent too much time talking about that and not enough about what is important here: the violence. The action sequences are expertly choreographed, potent and exciting, with lots of blood, slow motion and bullets. A stylish action movie and that's all it aspires to be. Would be a 90 for me but it would have been nice to have a little bit more backing up the wonderful action.
Rated 25 Mar 2013
85
81st
Utterly insane, over-the-top to the point of self-parody. It's pretty much a video game in terms of action and plot, but it's such a fun ride that that shouldn't be considered an insult here.
Rated 19 Aug 2011
4
32nd
It might be soulless and empty but at least it isn't too boring.

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