Did anybody noticed resemblance between Exiled an Wild Bunch?
1. We have 4 friends, gangsters, and they ar on the run.
2. They plot a last job - gold heist.
3. One of them dies
4. Later others 3 go to the Boss and we have a showdown
5. Theay all die smileing...
Yep. Whole thing seems like a Western movie in a modern setting. And there seem to be nods to a lot of Western films... For example, there's that scene where the they have killed off the would-be gold robbers, there's the lone guard (never caught his name)... Guard gets his gun shot out of his hand... Every time he reaches for it, they shoot it away... Reminds me of a similar scene in For a Few Dollars More...
It's like a mixture of Leone, Peckinpah and Woo it seems.
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I think you've completely misinterpreted what I meant to say. In fact, I don't think so, I know so, because I said it.
I didn't mean literally, but it simply FELT like it. I've seen a good share of Johnnie To films and I've seen a good share of John Woo films, and it's pretty clear they are two different animals. However, watching this movie, I was simply REMINDED of Woo is all. Who knows why? Is that better for you?
Yep, seems Jonny To has been infuenced by the likes of Sergio Leone, John Woo, Sam Peckinpah, Andrew Lau, perhaps Chang-wook Park or even Godard.
Anyway EVERY filmmaker have been influenced by previous directors. The point is to avoid making carbon-copy films. IMO "Exiled" have succeeded at that. It's not the most original film ever, but it's not a carbon-copy neither.
8/10
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You know, now that you mention it. It does feel a lot like The Wild Bunch.
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I personally believe John Woo is the greatest action director to ever live. However, he definitely was not allowed enough creative freedom when he left Hong Kong and his movies suffered as a result. Also, everything is more expensive in Hollywood, the film shoots take longer, and there are more safety precautions for stunts and stuff. Imagine trying to make Hard Boiled in Hollywood today? It would cost $200 million.
Conversely, Johnnie To is like the Atlas holding up the Hong Kong film industry on his shoulders. He's a true artist - completely versatile. He makes crime films, dramas, gangster movies, romantic comedies. You name it.
I wouldn't really compare the two, other than the fact that whenever they do a shoot-out in a movie it's visually stunning. But even the way they choreograph and film shootouts is totally different. Oh, but they're also very, very heavy on themes of loyalty and brotherhood...that's probably the biggest link they have. Their movies are frequently about men willing to lay down their lives for other men all in the name of loyalty and honor.