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Category:    Home > Reviews > Action > Gangster > Hong Kong > Exiled (2006/Magnet DVD/Hong Kong)

Exiled (2006/Magnet DVD/Hong Kong)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Film: B-

 

 

Though we have looked only at his later films, I have only been so impressed with the films of Johnnie To and the more hype I have heard, the less I have been impressed with the final product.  Finally with Exiled (2006) I can see some substance, narrative richness and story/action integration that justify any reputation.

 

The story centers on a man who is a target for execution by a Triad, but while a couple of men have been sent to kill him, two others have been sent to make sure he stays alive.  Thus a war is in progress, but there is also good acting here for a change and the action sequences do not seem thrown in or over-choreographed as most Hong Kong action or gangster films do.  That is why in its 109 minutes, the film makes compelling viewing, even if it is no classic of either genre.  Fortunately, it does more effectively than not.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image has some weak detail and even color issues, but you can still see the good compositions by Director of Photography Cheung Siu Keung, H.K.S.C. and know he is one of the reasons To is having the success he is.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is not bad, but a bit soft and no match for the DTS in the Tartan DVD releases of To’s films.  Extras include separate behind the scenes and making of pieces.

 

For more on To, try these links:

 

Election

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6205/Election+(Tartan/DTS/2005/Hong

 

Triad Election

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5959/Triad+Election+(2006)

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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