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Vengeance
復仇
2009 108 min France, Hong Kong 18+
★7.1
Action, Crime, Thriller
Director: Johnnie To
Trailers
Description
A French chef swears revenge after a violent attack on his daughter's family in Macau, during which her husband and her two children are murdered. To help him find the killers, he hires three local hit-men working for the mafia.
Starring
Johnny Hallyday
Actor
Anthony Chau-Sang Wong
Actor
Simon Yam
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Original Score
Asian Film Academy 2010
— Best Cinematography
Cannes Film Festival 2009
— Palme d'Or
Key opinion
Johnny To’s Vengeance is widely regarded as a visually masterful exercise in style that prioritizes meticulous, balletic action choreography over narrative complexity. While enthusiasts praise its atmospheric direction and artistic precision, some critics find the script lacking in logic and the emotional execution uneven.
| Direction | Director Johnnie To utilizes precise, balletic choreography and lighting to turn standard action sequences into visually arresting, artistic spectacles. | |
| Acting | Johnny Hallyday brings a stoic, charismatic, and physically iconic presence to the role of the vengeful protagonist, effectively grounding the film's cold tone. | |
| Production | The production design and cinematography create a distinct, memorable aesthetic, utilizing vivid locales and atmosphere to elevate the film's visual identity. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed by many as a weak point, with recurring mentions of logical inconsistencies, implausible character choices, and a thin narrative structure. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's pacing and tone are divided; some appreciate the deliberate, philosophical, and slow-burn approach, while others find it sluggish, detached, or prone to collapses in energy. |