Running Out of Time

Despite an absolutely cheesy soundtrack, I had a good time with this. Some fun and/or original developments in a typical 'smart guy trying to outsmart another smart guy' story, though you shouldn't watch it for its sense of realism.

Starts off interesting but then really turns into a comedy and falls back onto Hong Kong police action tropes. It's a neat premise, a bad guy who knows he's on a limited lifespan. What was the point of the girl on the bus? I would have preferred a serious police negotiator movie. Fav scene: Andy Lau in drag, c'mon.

Viewed April 7, 2021. A frantic cat-and-mouse thriller about master thief Andy Lau playing an elaborate criminal game against police inspector Lau Ching-Wan. There's a classic Johnnie To touch in that Lau's character is terminally ill, giving this genre plot a certain existential weight; his actions are oddly carefree, and whether or not he can outrun the law matters less than the fact that he only has a couple of weeks left to live. But it's still the most straightforward To film I've s

"what're you, writing a script?" no doubt this bored, creative detective is a surrogate for to, himself aching for freedom from the institution he's part of (he recently broke away to form milkyway). both are inevitably drawn to a character who makes life into a thrilling entertainment unbound by such expectations, and it's gladdening that a free-spirited, wholly to-driven bromantic caper ensues complete with gay jokes, kisses, handcuffs & dress-up (he even asks if the suspect has a girlfriend).

I liked the characters a lot. It's smart, and sometimes funny with cool action.

worth a watch

Fun Hong Kong action, albeit a little slight.