Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

"So Close" (aka "Xi yang tian shi") is a fast paced, high kicking Hong Kong action movie. If you are familiar with the Hong Kong cinema then you know what you are in for here. But while this is not a John Woo movie, then director Cory Yuen does a marvelous job with this movie and proves that he is also a force to be reckoned with.This is an entertaining movie with a good storyline, an impressive cast list, and lots of action. All the ingredients a good action movie needs. However, with that said, I must say that "So Close" is unfortunately not outstanding in the Hong Kong action cinema, and that is a shame, because it doesn't manage to outrun the countless other action movies that has come from the Hong Kong cinema.The story in "So Close" is about two sisters, working as assassins, Lynn (played by Qi Shu) and Sue (played by Wei Zhao). The sisters are at the top of the game, but they are being chased by skilled police officer Hong Yat Hong (played by Karen Mok).It is the storyline and the characters that drives the movie, and it is well complimented by the action sequences. And it is nice to have an action movie which does offer more than just a spectacle of martial arts and gunfights. But it is also the performances of the cast that helps to drive the movie, because the cast was selected nicely to portray the various roles throughout the movie. Especially Shu Qi and Karen Mok were impressive in "So Close".I do enjoy "So Close" and think it is a good movie, but I have to settle on a six out of ten star rating, as the movie failed to stand out in the vast ocean of action movies that has come from the Hong Kong cinema.

Based on the several people who have commented on this film, a following summary can be made:Admittedly terrible story + Beautiful women + Good fight scenes = Entertainment value around 6/10To me, this formula couldn't be more wrong. If you can suspend all and every part of yourself that might be prone to criticism perhaps you can get a 6/10-experience. Most people who want to see quality movies, I believe, cannot accomplish such a feat.Let me to recap on my terms.Awful, terrible, horrendous plot that clashes with reality on every possible level - Beautiful women, this is true - Moderate fight scenes that do not really have you holding your breath - Constant urge to stop watching and do something better with your time = Crappy movie 1/10

This movie is so flashy and fast put together, that it starts to look and feel like an overdone attempt, with lots of (ridicoules) computer gadgets and fighting sequences. The style works in the wrong way, especially in the action sequences. I'm sorry but I really found the action sequences to be very laughable and completely overdone. It always seems weird to me how Asian action movies constantly seem to be stealing from The Matrix movies, with both their action and style. As if Asian action movies need that. This movie also unfortunately is an example of this.The editing is way too fast and to me it seemed like it was done in a very childish and predictable way. Again, as if they were just trying to hard.It also gets sort of annoying after a while that there constantly is a ventilator aimed at Qi Shu in basically every action sequence.The movie has some irritating and weird choices in the use of music, as is the original movie score on its own, that just does not seem to fit the movie very well.The movie features some bad acting. Even though I don't speak the language I could tell that the actors really weren't much good, in the way they were delivering their lines.The story isn't that much special. It's not very well developed and the movie isn't really going anywhere. The movie too often seems to be concentrating more on the personal and the drama rather than its action, which seemed weird to me, since this is a movie that's made completely in action movie style. Sure, it has some interesting developments and themes in it, such as lesbianism and it's a nice approach that all of the action heroes in this movie are women. So it's a real feminist action flick but that perhaps is the only real good and original element about this movie.OK I did not found this movie to be terrible but it was just lacking on so many fronts. In all fairness it remains a perfectly watchable movie but only to kill some time with and if you have nothing better to do. The movie was unfortunately not as good and certainly not as original as I initially hoped.6/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Review: So Close(2002) Current mood: human I guess. Good action movies can be far and few inbetween...never more so than now a days. That's why I really liked this film...it looked modern but had a old school feel. I was first introduced to this film because of the director's film "The Transporter" which I thought was bad a$$. Don't let the front of the DVD fool you...Yes, there are 3 girls...with guns, kung fu,lots of flashy directing and wire works but trust me...this film is everything that Charlie's Angels wishes it was. Unlike the horrid Charlie's Angels So Close actually has a story to it and the action plays to the story rather than the story being fill in. The movie has really sweet moments that don't have action in it and the story is carried by the leads. The problem with female fronted action movies and comic films is that they try to be all things to all people. In a lot of these films the sexuality is used to get the guys in, then they use cheesy love story to get the girls and the PG-13 action to get the teenage boys. So what is it missing? Guts. That's what. The sexuality isn't over used in the movie, the romance is believable(and don't make them seem like sluts or tacked on like in Electra) and the action is wonderfully shot and violent. But with saying that there are hardly any killings on screen but the violence is balls to the walls. When 2 of the characters take on a sword carrying bad ass they hold up their own in this violent fight. It's no wire work dance ala Charlie's Angels...it's down to the ground dirty fighting that makes you cheer for the girls to beat the guy up badly. So if your in the mood for a fun popcorn flick with hot girls, guns and "ACTION" then this flick is for you. So instead of seeing another one of those PG-13 action films where they belong...gathering dust on a shelf and try this one out...you'll like it.