I remember hearing about this project... THE BIG HIT, it stars Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond, Christina Applegate, Antonio Sabato, etc etc etc... Sounded middle of the roadish to me. But then BOOGIE NIGHTS makes Mark Wahlberg a real live actor, Lou Diamond is a broadway star, and BAM ya got the makings for a possibly cool film. Add in a Hong Kong director and a producer like John Woo, and holy samolians it looks decent. Turns out they did an early early test screening of THE BIG HIT and I got this review from Uncle Max. Warning, while he doesn't talk about the ending or major plot twists there are some SPOILERS so beware!!! This is a very early test screening, and while very positive it could changer for the better or the worse. I love it when buzz comes on a little known flick, maybe it'll be one of them there sleeper thingamabobs...
This is your charming and delightful ol' Uncle Max with an early, early test screening review of Tri-Star's "The Big Hit." It's the first American film directed by Hong Kong director Kirk Wong and it's produced by John Woo. There were no credits at this screening, but I stumbled onto all this info while cleverly eavesdropping near the roped off "reserved seating" section. I also heard that this was the first screening and that the film is going to be released sometime in the spring (April???). The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Antonio Sabato and Christina Applegate. And now...on with the review...
First, let me say that this film SERIOUSLY KICKS BUTT. Even though it was a very rough cut with a temporary soundtrack and some work-in-progress shots, this movie dazzled. I'm sure they'll do some tweaking between now and it's release date...but it doesn't need a whole lot. If I had paid full price, even at this early stage, I would still have been a satisfied moviegoer.
"THE BIG HIT" is a mix of cool characters, dark and outrageous humor and the kind of stylish action that only those supercool Hong Kong directors can dream up (pay attention, Quentin -- there's lots to steal here). The story centers around four working class, just-trying-to-make-a-living "hit men" played by Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Antonio Sabato Jr. and an African American actor (I don't know his name) who's character has given up women for the less troublesome joy of, um, self-pleasuring. ("Once you jack, you never go back."). The story begins with the four guys getting ready for a hit. I mention this trivial point only for your female readers, because, while the guys are changing into their high-tech gear we get to see Antonio Sabato's naked ass. The women in the crowd went nuts, screaming so loud that you couldn't hear the dialogue during the rest of the scene. Personally, this makes me wanna kill the guy. Luckily, he doesn't have a big part (no pun intended). As the hit unfolds with much coolness, we clearly learn that this is going to be Melvin's (Mark Wahlberg) story. He's an amazing hit man but he suffers from a milquetoast, pushover personality. Turns out he's whipped by both his girlfriend (who is using him for the money) and his fiancee, played by Appelgate (who does an outstanding yes-I'm-a-real-actress job and...wears really tight clothes). Melvin chugs Maalox constantly while he tries to deal with his job, his women, and his emotionally crippling desire to be liked by everyone (which, as Lou Diamond's character points out, doesn't sit well with his career choice.). And speaking of Lou Diamond -- this movie should do for him what "Fiction" did for Travolta. It's an amazing over-the-top-but-not-too-over performance that makes him shine like a new dime. Anyway, Lou Diamond, Melvin and some stammering buffon sidekick decide to make a little cash on the side by kidnapping the daughter of a wealthy Japanese business tycoon. Unfortunately, they learn too late that the girl is the goddaughter of their boss! The boss sends Lou Diamond to find the kidnappers (not realizing that he is one of the kidnappers).
Needless to say, much wackiness, backstabbing and bloodletting ensues. This is a cleverly written movie with amazing dialogue, funny gags and brilliantly choreographed action. Wong handles all of it flawlessly. You never get bored. When the action stops you get to enjoy all the great performances, witty banter and clever twists (as opposed to most American action movies where when the action stops, the movie stops). You can see Woo's influence at work here, but you can also see an amazing sense of humor. The film never took itself too seriously and that's the way it should be. What was really surprising was how "untampered with" the movie felt -- that is, you didn't get the sense that the American studio execs had their butcherous way with it (either that or they were that rare breed of cool, movie-fan execs).
It feels like they let Wong make the offbeat, stylish movie he wanted to make. I hope it stays that way.
The crowd seemed to be totally into this film and I didn't see anyone leave early. I suspect that as the release date gets closer we will be hearing a lot more about this movie and about Kirk Wong. They both rock. Don't forget about it. Mark your calendars. And remember...once you jack, you never go back!
