The Replacement Killers

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The Replacement Killers

R,

1998,

1h 26m,

Action

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Watchlist

Watchlist

39%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

47%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Hired assassin John Lee (Chow Yun-Fat) is asked by Chinatown crime boss Terence Wei (Kenneth Tsang) to murder the young son of policeman Stan Zedkov (Michael Rooker). Lee has the boy in his sights, but his conscience gets the better of him, and he spares the child's life. Afraid that Wei will take revenge on his family in China, Lee seeks out expert forger Meg Coburn (Mira Sorvino) to obtain the passport he needs to get out of the country, but a band of replacement killers is soon on his trail.

Critics Consensus

Chow Yun-fat makes his dubious English-language debut in The Replacement Killers, a stylish but muddled knockoff of the Hong Kong shoot-em-ups that earned the star his international renown.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

3/4

The Replacement Killers is as abstract as a jazz instrumental, and as cool and self-assured.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Jan 19, 2023

C-

This film might be the ultimate temp job, but stars Chow Yin-Fat and Mira Sorvino deserve better work.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Jun 28, 2021

6/10

It isn't boring, but it could have amounted to a lot more, particularly as the final showdown is thrillingly chaotic and brutal.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Jun 9, 2020

1.5/5

As for the plot here, let's just say it has something to do with hit men, drug lords and revenge, and leave it at that.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Apr 8, 2020

6/10

People with particularly indiscriminate taste in action cinema will enjoy The Replacement Killers on its own merits, and Chow and Sorvino fans will take away some enjoyment from watching them perform together

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Mar 10, 2016

2/4

...it's ultimately impossible not to wonder what Chow, making his English-language debut here, was thinking when he signed up for the project.

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Harry P

Mar 12, 2019

Basically it's a road of clap. Most of the budget went on blanks and not enough on the screenplay plot.

Rey P

Mar 8, 2017

Not an designed to be an Oscar type film, it brings a fresh take on action films. Want entertainment - Replacement Killers provides that. You wont get bored. Don't expect more though. Over all it is worth the watch.

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Albus G

Jul 18, 2011

Antoine Fuqua isn't the strongest filmmakers around but he tends to make okay action films. This film had potential but the overall film just lacks the Hong Kong style it seeks to bring to western audiences. Chow Yun-Fat is the strongest part of the film, like most of his action films, he has that presence that engages every scene he is in. The Corruptor might be frowned upon by critics but Yun-Fat owns that film, he gives an insane Cage performance. I would have liked this film to go a little more crazy, Antoine Fuqua feels intent to have the material mediocre for some reason. THe action feels a little weak and character development is none existent. I enjoy the tone of the film and the action scenes but I can't recommend it for anything else. 15-07-2018.

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Anakin S

May 28, 2009

... lots of shooting and not much else.

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Chow Yun-Fat

John Lee

Mira Sorvino

Meg Coburn

Michael Rooker

Stan 'Zeedo' Zedkov

Jürgen Prochnow

Michael Kogan

Kenneth Tsang

Terence Wei

Hard to Kill

36%

47%

Hard to Kill

Watchlist

End of Days

11%

32%

End of Days

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Species

42%

31%

Species

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Fled

21%

23%

Fled

Watchlist

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Metro

18%

12%

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Synopsis

Hired assassin John Lee (Chow Yun-Fat) is asked by Chinatown crime boss Terence Wei (Kenneth Tsang) to murder the young son of policeman Stan Zedkov (Michael Rooker). Lee has the boy in his sights, but his conscience gets the better of him, and he spares the child's life. Afraid that Wei will take revenge on his family in China, Lee seeks out expert forger Meg Coburn (Mira Sorvino) to obtain the passport he needs to get out of the country, but a band of replacement killers is soon on his trail.

Director: Antoine Fuqua
Producer: Bernie Brillstein, Brad Grey
Screenwriter: Ken Sanzel
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, WCG Entertainment Productions, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 6, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.0M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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