The Replacement Killers
1997/88 mins.
Released by Columbia Pictures
Rated R
Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, and Jurgen Prochnow
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Format: Dual Sided/Single Layered-2.35:1 Widescreen on one side/Fullscreen on the other.
Reviewed by Robby Cox
E-mail koi@magicnet.net

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Opening Remarks: The Replacement Killers looked awesome when I saw the trailers on TV. I hoped it was decent, but I wasn't prepared for how good it actually was.
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Movie Quality: The Replacement Killers is an action movie. But it's an action movie with heart. You will feel for these people and the whacked-out situations that they are put in. Chow Yun-Fat plays a man who is forced to become an assassin. He must kill 3 people to gain his release. After the first 2 successful kills, he is told to kill a child. The child is the son of the police officer who killed the kingpin's own son. When he refuses, the kingpin decides to kill Chow's family in China. He needs to get out of America and get back to China to save his loved ones. This movie doesn't get too wrapped up in plot, but there's enough to get you into this movie. This movie has some John Woo-type action with Chow Yun-Fat playing his somewhat standard Woo character. He's nowhere near as intense as he was in Hard Boiled, though. Chow Yun-Fat shows some serious promise as a serious Hollywood actor. There is also some very nice acting by Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, and villain extraordinaire Jurgen Prochnow. If you like John Woo movies, then this movie will definitely impress you. If you hate John Woo-type movies, The Replacement Killers might just change your mind.
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Video Quality: The video quality of this disc is great. The video is clear and very colorful. The movie is presented in it's theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and a Fullscreen Pan & Scan version for people such inclined. The video is basically what you would expect from a DVD. *****************************************************************************

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Sound Quality: The Replacement Killers sounds great. The movie has some great techno music. The sound fx are nice and the Surround fx are great. This disc sounds like a DVD should.
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Extras: Well, this disc diappoints a little here. The only extras are the original theatrical trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette. That's it. It's okay, but far from impressive.
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Improve: More extras.

RIYL: John Woo films, Jackie Chan films.
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Overall Opinion: This is a great disc for moviephiles. If you like action movies, then you will love The Replacement Killers. Even if you don't, you just might enjoy this film. The disc looks and sounds great, but there's not many extras on the disc. This is definitely the best way to see this great film.
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Movie Quality: *****
Video Quality: *****
Sound Quality: *****
Extras: ***
Personal Opinion: *****
Total: 23 out of 25

Final Score: 92 %