Five former triads member are choosen to protect a gang boss who needs help.
Review
Milkyway Image company at full speed produced end of 1999 a film with a basic scenario but which shines thanks to the excellence of its production value and the acting chops of its seasoned cast (Anthony Wong as a hairdresser !). The gunfights are very well staged (particularly in the mall) and each sequence proposes a great many ideas (in addtion to this, one can see split-screens, dear to Brian de Palma). This is an excellent directorial effort from Johnnie To.
Notes
1.
Martin Chappell, the sound designer of Tsui Hark's Time and Tide, also designed The Mission sound effects. He went as far as creating a distinctive sound for each gun of Curtis team members (source: Interview with Martin Chappell by David Bordwel).
2.
2000 Fant-Asia Film Festival (Montréal, Québec, Canada) : - 3rd place for Best Asian Film
3.
2000 Golden Bauhinia Awards (Hong Kong, China) : - Golden Bauhinia for Best Director - Golden Bauhinia for Best Picture - Golden Bauhinia for Best Supporting Actor (Roy Cheung)
4.
2000 Golden Horse Film Festival (Taipei, Taiwan) : - Golden Horse Award for Best Actor (Francis Ng) - Golden Horse Award for Best Director
5.
2000 Hong Kong Film Awards (Hong Kong, China) : - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director - Nomination for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography - Nomination for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film Editing - Nomination for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Score - Nomination for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Picture - Nomination for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (Lam Suet)
6.
2000 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards (Hong Kong, China) : - HKFCS Award for Best Director - HKFCS Award for Best Film