Hitman (1998)

A wealthy Japanese Yakuza who commited war crimes in China is assassinated by a highly skilled assassin. The US$100,000,000 fund he set up to take revenge if he is killed kicks in, attracting the interest of other killers. One is Jet Li, a soldier from the mainland who travelled to Hong Kong hoping to do one big job to earn money for his mother, but has thus far failed to kill any of his targets (because he felt sorry for them). Eric Tsang plays a low-level conman who "agrees" to be his agent in the contract.

Hitman was Jet Li's last Hong Kong film before moving to the USA, and is noteworthy for being shot in sync sound - making it the first time local audiences had heard Jet's real voice. He was typically dubbed not so much because he couldn't speak Cantonese as because his mainland accent sounded rural and uncultured to Hong Kong ears, not fitting for the hero types he usually played. It was, however, just what his character here needed.

The Hong Kong film industry was struggling in 1998, having lost a lot of talent and with investment hard to find in an uncertain economic environment following the handover. Hitman feels like a deliberate effort to produce a high quality film to prove that it could still be done. Local audiences seem not to have been convinced though, as box office returns were pretty weak.

It is a shame because it's a good film with a well written script, featuring a good balance of humour and pathos and strong characterisation. Production values are high and it all comes together quite nicely. It's not too action-heavy but there are a good number of scenes that showcase a variety of action styles with thoughtful choreography and staging.

There are some nicely done assassination sequences that seem to be reclaiming some of the debt that Leon: The Professional owed to Hong Kong cinema (and John Woo in particular) - a fact that is tacitly acknowledged by Jet's brief appearance dressed as Leon when trying on outfits at a tailor.

Tung Wai can hardly be accused of copycatting with his credentials though, which include co-choreographer of A Better Tomorrow. Taking inspiration from good work is perfectly respectable, and he adds plenty of his own ideas and style.

Eric Tsang was going through a strong spell as a dramatic actor in the late 90's, having been better known for comic shtick for most of his career. He imbues his character with a balance of bravado, weasly dishonesty and reluctant sincerity that makes him a great match for Jet Li's simpler character. Gigi Leung provides strong support and a dash of glamour.

There is a lot to like about Hitman but it is missing a certain something to place it amongst Jet Li's classics. Possibly because it's quite an understated film that favours subtlety over bombast or melodrama. That oughtn't be a negative, but it means it doesn't leave quite as much of a lasting impression as the more extravagant films of the early 90's.