Downtown Torpedoes: Viewer Comments

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Downtown Torpedoes
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Rating, Out Of 5 Stars
Unlike the majority of western action movies 'Downtown Torpedoes' shows its originality in respective genre as doesn't have too many fire and blood. When seeing American features you're inevitable to come across the frame as inheritance that consists of the following obligatory elements: a good guy is offended, blood and flesh all over the screen, naked bodies, appearance of a superman who saves all the world, and the end that's connected with total surroundings destroy, hero's scoring and happy end in the meaning of future love. This pattern is becoming a bit routine, because you may predict the plot even since the very beginning of the movie. You easily can find out who will stay alive as soon as the character is noticed and determined.

DTT while being accused of fast plot pace and sharp scene changes, seems to be matching both abstraction of the idea and concrete action. That's why so called one-dimensional characters are the most suitable there. The plot should not be boring with too many romance scenes that are not gluing to the idea of the picture. It's, to the top, rather well compensated with variety of spies characters. It's good that the ATM has different colours. To the fact, spies are not obligatory like James Bond neither in figure nor in actions. When KGB dispersed and many former spies were revealed everyone could see mostly just simple people in them and no black tints on their face or ...clothes. If Jordan (CASH) seems to be a tough-touch character for a spy, it's not the sequence for Takeshi (JACKAL) to be the same. Do they have a competition for viewer's praise in being more aggressive and tough?

For a not one-dimension-brained viewer it would be worth to have opportunity to think about every character himself, but not get a ready dish. For example, Jackal could be a boy who didn't have parents' care and got into a spy group once, occasionally, seeking for his individual realization, also being talented and kind-hearted naturally. While coming across many difficulties on his spy way, he finds a necessity of changing his life. Thus, Jackal is precisely introduced in the beginning of the movie when showing his wish to leave his spy-work (scene in Hong Kong, when driving his car and talking to Cash via radio). But the latter (though wishing changes in his life as well) persuades Jackal to stay a team member longer. The opposite situation appears at the end of the movie when Jackal manages to deter Cash of the team colliding.

As for romance, it's obviously that Jackal is not predisposed to Sam during the plot, however she manages to put him closer to herself and probably because of his such character: kindness and charm, of course. Sam's not indifference is shown in the last scene of the movie, and there's no use in showing their kisses or... All that makes a high rate of Kaneshiro's character, as high as Chan's one.

Phoenix's early death is a sad thing but it's a considerable difference (feature) from that majority of action movies. Titan's disappearance is less effective than that of Phoenix. The only remark is that it's badly shown that her death is the reason of her death. It's the most likely that she was injured by the bomb because she couldn't realize the situation with the bomb in the case Titan brought, and react in time.

It's also not clear about how could the team get their truck back after they escaped from MI5 station that was a distance from the place they were arrested.

Of course, the plot could be enlarged with scenes of how did the team get to Budapest from Hong Kong in 1 day having no passports and means. The plot is made well in the meaning of: 'Everything just starts!' It gives a viewer to think about the team's future and the author - an opportunity to make a sequel (may-be like that of 'MB2').

-John Adams

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Rating, Out Of 5 Stars
I don't see what's with all the criticism. Downtown Torpedoes must be one of my favorite movies of any type. It's stylish, it's sad, it's sweet, it's suspenseful... it is one heck of a roller coaster ride.

And it never hurts to have the charming AND beautiful Charlie Yeung. Jordan Chan and Takeshi Kaneshiro deliver solid performances.

All in all, an excellent film.

-kevin fong

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It is a very hi-tech and action-packed thriller. It is very enjoyble and I recommand it to anyone that considers buying it.

-Zhaokun Xu

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For Hong Kong films, the biggest problem in dealing with technology is a lack in quality. Although the film completes its style for its packaging, the characters have become two-dimensional without the support of drama scenes. But there is a consistency in style, especially in its attention to details in art design. Teddy Chan's feel for location in In the Heat of Summer (1994) is once again evident and Tung Wai's action choreography is also in fine form, creating a taunt mood of energy. Hong Kong films are suffering from a drop in quality in the summer, but this is one that manages to keep its promise.

-Keeto

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The film is so determined to embark on a trip of creative imitation that it can't hide its familiarity no matter how well done it is. Even the theme music is almost indistinguishable from Mission Impossible. Packaging the theme of master thief with high tech ends up showing off the latest equipment and neglecting personal values and emotional expression. There is a coldness that comes from the science. Team members understand only the functionalism of carrying out the mission and the few dramatic scenes are extremely weak, revealing the filmmakers' mistake in wagging the dog with its tail.

-Ye Nianchen

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From the selling of skills to the early retirement plan to the Cyber car disguised by the distilled water brand, the film is infused with an airy Bohemian romanticism. The identity crisis is nothing compared to the financial crisis and not bothering to work on verifying an identity is a realization of the modern mindset: the basic law of personal happiness. Downtown Torpedoes appeared within two weeks of July, 1997. Perhaps it's a bit early, but it's a nice surprise. Hope this is the revelation of something new (will that be the how "in" is Torpedoes and how "out" is Lawyer Lawyer).

-Bryan Chang

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