Exiled

Exiled **1/2

Directed by Johnny To
Written by Kam-Yuen Szeto and Tin-Shing Yip

Starring:
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang as Blaze
Francis Ng as Tai
Simon Yam as Boss Fay
Nick Cheung as Wo
Richie Ren as Sergeant Chen
Roy Cheung as Cat
Josie Ho as Jin
Suet Lam as Fat
Ka Tung Lam as Boss Keung

110 Minutes(Rated R for strong violence and some sexual content. )
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MINI-REVIEW!

Hong Kong director Johnny To knows how to shoot a good movie. He knows how to keep the excitement flowing with neat shots, good camera work, and great editing. But "Exiled" seemed like it had the energy of To behind the camera, but nothing was working with the actors or the screenplay-which I couldn't make heads of tails of. To tells the story of five hit men-friends for their entire lives-who are set to kill a mobster. The mobster pleas that they can kill him after he does one more heist-a heist for gold bars so that he could provide a bit for his wife and infant child. The mobsters let him. It's a decent premise, but its not executed very well. I found myself slightly bored by the way the story unfolded, however neat the direction was. To directed the much better and much more exciting "Triad Election" earlier this year. The script has some moments of black comedy brilliance, including a doctors operation to the most tender part of a males body, as well as the eventual chance to get the gold. "Exiled" isn't a must-see, but To is certainly proving himself as an action film direction. It ends on a really good-and very bloody-note.

Playing At:

Angelika Film Center

Lincoln Plaza Cinemas