A Hero Never Dies to Running on Karma – Hong Kong film director Johnnie To’s top 5 most underrated films
You probably know cheesy romcoms like Needing You… and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, but with more than 50 films on his résumé, there’s plenty of hidden gems more worthy of your cinematic attention
For much of the last 25 years Johnnie To has been Hong Kong’s most notable director. He may not have quite the same international recognition as Wong Kar-wai but appreciation of To’s talent has been growing. In 2009 he was made an officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters and recent years have seen career retrospectives hosted by prestigious bodies such as Bafta and the Toronto International Film Festival.
In Hong Kong, To is probably most famous for his hit romcoms like Needing You… and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. However, these films are merely commercial vehicles to help finance the director’s passion projects.
In celebration of the director’s 65th birthday, on April 22, here are five of his most underrated and underappreciated films.
A Hero Never Dies (1998)
Although To’s directing career started back in the 80s, A Hero Never Dies was one of the first films produced by his own production company, Milkyway Image. A heroic bloodshed action film, this movie sees To trying to out John Woo John Woo with an array of stylish gunfights and men being men, fighting for honour and brotherhood. To some, the film verges on parody, to others, this is the apotheosis of a most Hong Kong kind of movie.
The Mission (1999)
Although highly regarded among critics as one of To’s best movies – high praise given the man has directed over 50 films – The Mission was not commercially successful and remains an undiscovered gem for many. The main premise is straightforward: a group of bodyguards need to protect a triad boss from someone out to kill him. This simplicity is one of the film’s strengths alongside its technical prowess and taut 84 minutes run time. The production of the film adds to its allure – filming began without a script and the whole project was completed in just three weeks.
Running on Karma (2003)
In contrast to The Mission, Running on Karma was a hit in cinemas in Hong Kong, but its esoteric nature and Buddhist themes mean it has not travelled well. The film itself is a peculiar mishmash, starting out with a grizzly murder then moving on to Andy Lau (in a muscle suit) as a former bodybuilder turned monk, and ending with a deliberation on the nature of karma. It’s a polarising work but one that rewards careful consideration.