I first saw Black Mask when it was released on video in the U.S., after it's run in the theaters. At the time I was not very impressed. This probably had to do with the fact that I had seen very few, if any, Hong Kong movies prior to this. However, after recently viewing it for a second time my opinion has changed and I would now say that it is an excellent movie.
Black Mask is an action movie with a vengeance. I was surprised that I didn't remember how brutally violent it was. There is enough blood spewing, bullet wound gushing and severed parts in this film to fill up a few movies. Characters are shot, struck, exploded, impaled and burned just to name a few of the killing methods employed in the movie. This is not to say that the film is an incessant barrage of violence; there are also quiet character driven moments. I believe that these moments are particularly successful because they are a stark contrast to the furious action sequences.
These contrasts exist also in the main character, Simon. As Simon he is pacific but as the Black Mask he is aggressive. As the movie progresses, so does his personal journey to find balance between his two sides. I believe this journey is a theme that runs through the movie consistently, at times in a more subtle way, which lends to my opinion that the movie is a well made and strives to develop characters more than the standard action movie. This is apparent in the character of Rock, who comes to question his convictions and methods. In the end, his beliefs would seem to be confirmed rather than denied, but the character has made the journey to this discovery, and that is an important factor in giving the film depth.
The Black Mask character has more than a passing resemblance to Bruce Lee's character Kato from "The Green Hornet." I don't know if the Hong Kong version of the film gives a nod to this, but the english dub finds female characters commenting on his "retro" Kato look. I don't know anything about the development of the film in Hong Kong, but I think it's a safe assumption that the character is inspired by Kato. It's something I'll be looking in to. Speaking of the dub, I actually find that it is excellent. It's not rushed or over the top as many dubs are. The characters speak at normal rates are appropriately low key when they need to be. Naturally, this lends greatly to the end product of the english version of the film.
Black Mask is an excellent action movie that features great fight scenes with the amazing Jet Li. The supporting cast is also excellent. The lead villain walks the fine line between "credible bad guy" and "B-Movie megalomaniac" with marvelous results. He's just a little too weird to be real, but he's not over the top at all. All things considered, it's a great movie and I'd encourage you to check it out!
Black Mask is an action movie with a vengeance. I was surprised that I didn't remember how brutally violent it was. There is enough blood spewing, bullet wound gushing and severed parts in this film to fill up a few movies. Characters are shot, struck, exploded, impaled and burned just to name a few of the killing methods employed in the movie. This is not to say that the film is an incessant barrage of violence; there are also quiet character driven moments. I believe that these moments are particularly successful because they are a stark contrast to the furious action sequences.
These contrasts exist also in the main character, Simon. As Simon he is pacific but as the Black Mask he is aggressive. As the movie progresses, so does his personal journey to find balance between his two sides. I believe this journey is a theme that runs through the movie consistently, at times in a more subtle way, which lends to my opinion that the movie is a well made and strives to develop characters more than the standard action movie. This is apparent in the character of Rock, who comes to question his convictions and methods. In the end, his beliefs would seem to be confirmed rather than denied, but the character has made the journey to this discovery, and that is an important factor in giving the film depth.
The Black Mask character has more than a passing resemblance to Bruce Lee's character Kato from "The Green Hornet." I don't know if the Hong Kong version of the film gives a nod to this, but the english dub finds female characters commenting on his "retro" Kato look. I don't know anything about the development of the film in Hong Kong, but I think it's a safe assumption that the character is inspired by Kato. It's something I'll be looking in to. Speaking of the dub, I actually find that it is excellent. It's not rushed or over the top as many dubs are. The characters speak at normal rates are appropriately low key when they need to be. Naturally, this lends greatly to the end product of the english version of the film.
Black Mask is an excellent action movie that features great fight scenes with the amazing Jet Li. The supporting cast is also excellent. The lead villain walks the fine line between "credible bad guy" and "B-Movie megalomaniac" with marvelous results. He's just a little too weird to be real, but he's not over the top at all. All things considered, it's a great movie and I'd encourage you to check it out!