Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Claire Dunne One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Paul Magne Haakonsen "So Close" (aka "Xi yang tian shi") is a fast paced, high kicking Hong Kong action movie. If you are familiar with the Hong Kong cinema then you know what you are in for here. But while this is not a John Woo movie, then director Cory Yuen does a marvelous job with this movie and proves that he is also a force to be reckoned with.This is an entertaining movie with a good storyline, an impressive cast list, and lots of action. All the ingredients a good action movie needs. However, with that said, I must say that "So Close" is unfortunately not outstanding in the Hong Kong action cinema, and that is a shame, because it doesn't manage to outrun the countless other action movies that has come from the Hong Kong cinema.The story in "So Close" is about two sisters, working as assassins, Lynn (played by Qi Shu) and Sue (played by Wei Zhao). The sisters are at the top of the game, but they are being chased by skilled police officer Hong Yat Hong (played by Karen Mok).It is the storyline and the characters that drives the movie, and it is well complimented by the action sequences. And it is nice to have an action movie which does offer more than just a spectacle of martial arts and gunfights. But it is also the performances of the cast that helps to drive the movie, because the cast was selected nicely to portray the various roles throughout the movie. Especially Shu Qi and Karen Mok were impressive in "So Close".I do enjoy "So Close" and think it is a good movie, but I have to settle on a six out of ten star rating, as the movie failed to stand out in the vast ocean of action movies that has come from the Hong Kong cinema.

Leofwine_draca SO CLOSE is an unwieldy combine of high energy and poor production values. Certainly as a film it bears little artistic merit, coming across as unfocused and rather cheesy throughout; the CGI and wire effects (which sometimes mimic THE MATRIX) are completely unbelievable and the film opens with possibly the worst, most over the top set-piece in the history of cinema.Thankfully things settle down a little after that and the film steps into gear, becoming a cat and mouse game between the police and the antiheroes propelling the narrative. Basically, there are a couple of assassins who are involved in a feud with a large organisation; this feud consists of each side constantly trying to kill the other. Meanwhile, a dedicated female cop and her sidekick are trying to catch them.There's no more to it than that, and for the most part SO CLOSE trades on the charisma of its female stars. Shu Qi (THE TRANSPORTER) is the icy femme fatale, Zhao Wei (MULAN) her technology-adept sister. Karen Mok (THE MAN OF TAI CHI) is the cop, and Yasuaki Kurata has a guest role as a random villain who inevitably gets a big fight scene with the girls at the climax.The action in this one isn't too shabby, but then you'd expect it to be good with Cory Yuen at the helm. Sadly this is one of his lesser efforts and it's a big comedown from the likes of POLICE ASSASSINS back in the 1980s. It is kind of fun, though, in its own cheesy way, and I'd rather sit through it again than watch the US CHARLIE'S ANGELS films.

GlennInWinnipeg Just a great surprise -- great action and cast. The story-line is a bit comic-book like (think Batman) at times, but this just adds to the feeling that part of the enjoyment of the movie is being along for the ride and to not take it all too serious.Every good action movie it seems has a unique visual "trick" to show -- Matrix had "bullet time" for instance. This one they figured out how to make glass look like it is breaking and they use side wire tools that allow them to fly a bit like Spiderman (by making it part of the plot, it saved the special effect team having to paint the lines out).If you like action movies, and the cast, you will be very happy with this movie. I really appreciated the use of extended close ups on the faces -- something less and less common in Hollywood.Also a great soundtrack and the song "Close to You" (originally by the Carpenters) is just outstanding as a good (unusual) choice to make a couple of surreal moments.Hold on for a great ride.

dissent-5 Based on the several people who have commented on this film, a following summary can be made:Admittedly terrible story + Beautiful women + Good fight scenes = Entertainment value around 6/10To me, this formula couldn't be more wrong. If you can suspend all and every part of yourself that might be prone to criticism perhaps you can get a 6/10-experience. Most people who want to see quality movies, I believe, cannot accomplish such a feat.Let me to recap on my terms.Awful, terrible, horrendous plot that clashes with reality on every possible level - Beautiful women, this is true - Moderate fight scenes that do not really have you holding your breath - Constant urge to stop watching and do something better with your time = Crappy movie 1/10