Fong juk 2006

Critics score:
81 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: If you've never seen a Johnnie To crime picture, Exiled is a simple, stylish, and utterly delightful introduction. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: I'd put [Johnnie] To's Exiled into the category of Hong Kong movies that even people who think they don't care about Hong Kong movies should see. Read more

Ted Fry, Seattle Times: The finale is a slow-motion tour de force that blends style, elegance and nuance of character in showers of blood. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: A simmering pot of blood and yucks, accented with guitar and harmonica on the soundtrack. Read more

Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times: To packs the moments of contemplation with as much suspense as the action sequences and is a master of ratcheting up tension through small details. Read more

Fred Camper, Chicago Reader: This 2006 Hong Kong-produced gangster film by director Johnnie To, set in Macao, is an entertaining product that presents a powerful artistic vision. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Even those wary of [director] To's eastern/western ethos cannot help but admire the stern panache of the best sequences. Read more

Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly: One of those wearisome Hong Kong action movies where characters engage in Mexican standoffs not so much to ratchet up excitement or generate tension but rather to look cool for as long as possible. Read more

David Ansen, Newsweek: This flamboyant, Peckinpah-ish ode to male bonding has a melancholy, fin de siecle splendor. Read more

Jan Stuart, Newsday: It's a boozy, weekend-bender of an action flick, lovely to look at and perhaps just a little bit silly. Read more

Jack Mathews, New York Daily News: The Macao settings are beautifully rendered, and the dark humor is often very funny. Read more

V.A. Musetto, New York Post: Exiled is a grabber from start to finish that should win new fans for cult-favorite To. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Johnnie To, the director, is highly respected in this genre, and I suppose he does it about as well as you'd want it to be done, unless you wanted acting and more coherence. Read more

G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle: Exiled is creative and bizarre, maybe too bizarre, but since most action films adhere to a cookie-cutter formula, its quirkiness is most welcome. Read more

Trevor Johnston, Time Out: It's cool, thematically involving, knowing and sustained in its tension. Are you watching, Michael Mann? Read more

Cliff Doerksen, Time Out: Read more

David Fear, Time Out: Read more

Derek Elley, Variety: Read more