Fulltime Killer

Critics Consensus

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Fulltime Killer Photos

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Movie Info

Following up on his two-fisted 2000 flick The Mission, Johnnie To, along with Wai Ka Fai, directs this high-octane shoot 'em up about a pair of hired killers vying for their reputation and for a beautiful girl. O (Takashi Sorimachi) is a reclusive, highly disciplined assassin who is considered the top killer of Hong Kong. Since the murder of his comely housekeeper, with whom he secretly has fallen in love, he has grown even more inward. For him, any connection to the outside is fraught with danger, usually leading to death. Tok (played by pop star and heartthrob Andy Lau) is the polar opposite of O -- brash and eager to be number one. Chin (Kelly Lin) is O's part-time housekeeper -- a replacement to her murdered predecessor -- and current obsession. When Tok seduces her -- in between knocking off gangsters in a Bill Clinton mask -- he forces O out of his seclusion and into a confrontation with his rival. Meanwhile, Interpol, lead by Inspector Lee (Simon Yam of Bullet in the Head fame), is hot on their trail. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival.

Rating:

R (for pervasive strong violence, some language and brief nudity)
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Johnnie To, Ka-Fai Wai
Written By:

Ka-Fai Wai, Joseph O'Bryan, Joey O'Bryan
In Theaters:

Mar 21, 2003 limited
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 17, 2003
Runtime:

98 minutes
Studio:

Palm Pictures

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Cast

Andy Lau
as Tok

Takashi Sorimachi
as O

Simon Yam
as Lee

Teddy Lin
as C7

Kelly Lin
as Chin

Cherrie In
as Gigi

Suet Lam
as Fat Ice

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Critic Reviews for Fulltime Killer

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (13) | DVD (4)

An intelligent, wellconstructed emotional thriller with added gunplay, it delivers a pleasurable blend of mischief and mayhem.

Jan 9, 2018 | Full Review…

Alexander Walker
London Evening Standard
Top Critic
Full of visual and verbal references to action and noir favorites, but burdened by a knotty story line and existential dialogue about fateful coincidences, it has trouble locating its own emotional core.

Feb 9, 2007 | Full Review…

Ted Shen
Chicago Reader
Top Critic
So what is the point? Lovingly choreographed bloodshed taking place in a pristine movie neverland, basically.

Jun 6, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Ty Burr
Boston Globe
Top Critic
Manages to be original, even though it rips off many of its ideas.

Jun 5, 2003 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Gary Dowell
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic
There's a fine chemistry of contrasts between Lau's exuberance and the quiet, slow-burning intensity Takashi Sorimachi brings to his role.

Apr 2, 2003

Sheri Linden
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic
There's undeniable enjoyment to be had from films crammed with movie references, but the fun wears thin -- then out -- when there's nothing else happening.

Mar 27, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Manohla Dargis
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic
A correct movie, unbalanced at times, and presenting some lazy rhythm, but that delivers very good moments of action. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jun 27, 2019 | Full Review…

Alberto Abuín
Espinof
Strangely dull.

Oct 8, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Jurgen Fauth
About.com
The movie should be building to a stunning conclusion, but somehow it loses momentum.

Jul 27, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4

Ian Mantgani
UK Critic
There's very little sense to what's going on here, but the makers serve up the cliches with considerable dash.

Jun 20, 2003 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion
The dreamy flow back and forth through time and memory and the shifting point of view across four narrators casts the sleek stylistics of 21st-century Hong Kong cinema between tortured existential heroics and tall tale.

Jun 6, 2003 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Fans of the modern day Hong Kong action film finally have the worthy successor to A Better Tomorrow and The Killer which they have been patiently waiting for.

May 21, 2003 | Rating: A+ | Full Review…

Edward Havens
FilmJerk.com

View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for Fulltime Killer

Mar 03, 2011

Stylish action-thriller that may not be rife with originallity but does deliver an entertaining and cool time-filler. Really good action scenes helped along by snazzy camera work and a great charismatic performance by Andy Lau. The whole competing hitmen thing has been done before but there's enough in this one for any Hong Kong action fan to enjoy, but it's not among the directors best efforts.

Lee ? Super Reviewer
Nov 21, 2009

This is a very enjoyable action / thriller movie from Hong Kong, though not as much action as some I have seen from the west (West of me.) it still holds a good story line and enjoyable moments. Two assassins are pretty much pitted against each other. One is O (Takashi Sorimachi) who is the top hit man in the far East and is know for his professionalism. He has a cleaning lady who he is in love with clean an apartment he never lives in. The other assassin is Tok (Andy Lau), who is a show boater when it comes to killing. Sooner or later they must face each other and this provides for a action packed movie, that rates 4 stars.

Bruce B Super Reviewer
Jul 26, 2008

Awesome hitman film from the great Kai Fai Wai and Johhny To. Almost like an update of Duel to the Death with the Hong Kong vs Japan angle, but this is a non-stop film with great characters and action setpieces. Highly recommended.

Christopher B Super Reviewer
Jun 14, 2008

another fine johnny to offering...nice play between the two leads...interesting styles between the two killers...almost as in 'heat'...with a girl in the middle...suspenseful, interesting watch

alan j Super Reviewer