MovieChat Forums > Yau doh lung fu bong (2004) Discussion > Throw Down was good, but does it compare...

Throw Down was good, but does it compare to Breaking News?

posted 20 years ago by hkauteur
7 replies | jump to latest

Just saw Throw Down, it's by far the best kung fu (even though it's not directly about Judo, Judo is just majorly used as a motif in this film) movie I've seen in a while (which was a long time, can't wait for Kung Fu Hustle), it was really good in how it used martial arts as a motif to show a theme (that you shouldn't give up on your dreams and conquer your fear of failing to do so). What this film does, like so few movies do is show how martial arts is not just a way of kicking someone down and that it actually is an art. And like art it has it's own philosophy to it that can teach you something about yourself. And director Johnnie To was actually able to get good performances out of the actors, especially Aaron Kwok, who in past has never really impressed me, acting wise. In this movie, he successfully and believably brings a spirit that causes Louis Koo's character to change and the fact that it was shown not told was done very well. That's what I call being 'cinematic'. And I just love the dark silent empty streets of Hong Kong it seems so much of a contrast to what Hong Kong is really like it's so cool, because when you think of Hong Kong, you just never think of it like that.

I don't know if I should see Breaking News, it looks really miscast (Nick Cheung as a cop? and Richie Ren as a bad guy thief?) and I'm really hesitant about seeing it because I don't think it'll be as good as Throw Down was... Can anyone say?

Maybe I should have saw Breaking News first...haha

Hahaha, feels so good to be the first one posting for this movie... although I wished more people would come on to talk about the movie...

[–] jskkmr 19 years ago

My response is not so much about your message but about the film. I really enjoy films which explore individuals at the "bottom" of their life and how martial arts can(and does)elevate one either from a low point to a far better one or elevate one to an even higher plain of human development and spirituality. Like you have already written, the movie isn't about Judo the art but how Judo is and was used to bring redemtion to an indiviidual who had lost all hope and real value in his life. And those Judo scenes are just plain awesome!

[–] hiroyukiwu 18 years ago

Awesome film, Aaron kwok puts in a reasonable performence, but for me it is Louis Koo who makes this movie, his charater can be compared to Johnny Depp's " Jack Sparrow " in Pirates Of The Carribean.
Abousolutly comical whislt also having a tinge of saddness. The fight scenes are done perfectly, making it realistic and fast, just like Judo is.
So what its no gangster movie, Johnny To isn't going to try and make the same film again and again.
And whoever said Fulltime Killer was a good film is an idiot.
See Throw Down and you will be happy.

[–] crymic_linith 18 years ago

I really liked this movie as well.

[–] ta-33 17 years ago

i would watch this movie alone for cherrie ying! she is HOT HOT HOT cute cute cute HOT HOT HOT in this movie. i would say she's the new face of hk actresses!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Dragon_Eye_Morrison 17 years ago

Both movies aim to different things, Breaking News was a kind of action genre deconstruction and also satire about television, while Trow Down is all about the characters. I have to say Trow Down was way more rewarding to watch, Breaking News is also good, but i felt it had some weak spots here and there. Kelly Chen is pretty but hardly knows how to act, and some of the situations involving the hostages were a bit contrived. While Trow Down is pure perfection from start to finish.

"I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility, chaos and murder."

[–] 17 years ago

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