5 classic Chow Yun Fat movies
by Nicholas Yong
He?s just turned 60, and he?s still the coolest man alive. Veteran Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat has made a career out of playing the charming, loveable rogue, and we all love him for it. ?
Here?s 5 of Fatt-gor?s?classic movies.?
1. The Killer (1989)
The Killer, with?Chow as the kind-hearted assassin Ah Joon, was one of his many collaborations with director John Woo. It has also influenced numerous directors from Quentin Tarantino to Luc Besson.
It?s a story of (what else?) honour, brotherhood, redemption and beautifully stylised gun battles, with Chow as its cool, beating heart. And let?s not forget that beautiful soundtrack, with songs by (another) 80s icon Sally Yeh.?
2. A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Fatt-gor has never been cooler than in his role as Mark, the charismatic gangster with a penchant for toothpicks and a heart of gold.?
If you love slow-mo gun battles where the bullets never run out, flying doves and a (somewhat laughable) meditation on loyalty and brotherhood, then A Better Tomorrow is just the thing for you.
3. God of Gamblers (1989)
A less violent tale this time, as Chow displays his talent for cards, dice and tiles rather than guns.?
A largely irreverent, laughable tale, it?s Chow?s performance as master gambler Ko Chun that made it a classic. Not to mention the character?s love of Fedora chocolates. ?
4. Prison on Fire (1987)
Chow has arguably never been more appealing as seasoned convict Chung, who takes the greenhorn Lo (Tony Leung Ka-fai) under his wing.?
Brutally violent and genuinely moving, Chow excels as an everyman defiantly struggling against the system.
5. Hard Boiled (1992)
It?s back to the guns and the action and John Woo, as Chow?s Inspector Tequila Yuen (what a name!) forms a dynamic duo with undercover cop Tony (the more famous Tony Leung).?
Guns blazing, lots of bullets flying (in slow mo, of course), two bromancey dudes killing the bad guys: What?s not to like?
