John Woo is one of the most accomplished directors, whose films have achieved widespread critical success. He has carved out a career for himself as one of the most prolific action film directors. Indeed, his work has continually elevated and reinvented the genre to a higher level of critical success, which is not often associated with the genre. The landscape of action movies today appears to be rife with superhero movies, and yet Woo has explicitly stated that he would never make one.
Woo's career began back in 1969 while growing up in Hong Kong, and his resume boasts work on more than 90 films in a variety of roles, from writer and producer to even actor. He is best known, however, for his work as a director. Woo has recently returned to Hollywood to direct a no-dialogue action movie that is set to star Joel Kinnamen and Kid Cudi. As we await further details on the movie, here's a look at John Woo's best movies, ranked.
7 Once a Thief
Once a Thief was released in 1991 and tells the story of three master thieves who are in pursuit of a highly prized painting, which holds importance in each of their pasts. The leading role is played by Chow Yun-Fat, who would make further appearances in John Woo's other films. Once a Thief was a huge critical success, and although high on the action front, it wasn’t as intense as other entries in his filmography, making for a unique film in Woo’s repitoire.
6 Red Cliff
Red Cliff was told in two parts under the direction of John Woo. The plot centers on the final days of the Chinese Han Dynasty in the year 208 AD. Emperor Han is attempting to unify China by declaring war on the South and West, which results in the two nations joining a flawed alliance to fight against the Emperor. The film excels in its masterful, action-packed shots that showcase Woo in all his authorial glory, and the attention to detail is unlike anything else in his filmography.
5 Face/Off
1997 represented a transition in John Woo’s career when he directed the hugely popular Hollywood action film Face/Off, which starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage as a cop and criminal who switch identities after they have their faces transplanted onto each other. Woo’s signature style is present throughout the film, bringing his classic style to the world of Hollywood with a hugely talented cast. The film is heavy with extreme action sequences, which will be remembered as some of the best in action film history. Recently, there have talks of Face/Off 2 in the works, but neither Cage nor Woo are reportedly involved. That said, Cage does find the idea "exciting."
4 The Killer
1989’s The Killer is another successful collaboration between John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat, telling the story of a brutal assassin who accidentally blinds an innocent woman during one of his missions. This floods him with guilt, and he tries to make amends by paying for an expensive operation that will restore her sight. For him to be able to do this, he has to take on another job, which, in turn, presents its own complications. He is double-crossed and is left penniless after this job while also being pursued by the police. Woo and Chow are a dynamic pair when they work together, and this film is a perfect example of their formula for success.
3 Hard Boiled
Hard Boiled was released in 1992 and is considered one of the greatest action movies of all time. John Woo and Chow Yun Fat once again collaborate to achieve success. Chow Yun Fat is a sketchy cop who work alongside an undercover agent with the aim of taking down a brutal mob boss. The movie is action-packed from the get-go, and is brutal, bloody, and relentless throughout. The action is some of the most intense that has ever been filmed, and it’s a testament to Woo’s absolute mastery of the action genre.
2 Last Hurrah For Chivalry
Last Hurrah For Chivalry was released in 1979 and set the tone for many martial arts films that would come after it. The story’s focus is on two assassins who help a local merchant with a vendetta for revenge against a Kung Fu master. The film is huge on action and is a defining action film of the 70s that seems far beyond its time when watched today; however, the mastery of Woo can be seen through his success at character development and suspense, which ultimately create a sense of unease felt by the viewer. It’s quite unlike anything that came before it and is well worth a watch.
1 Bullet in the Head
Bullet in the Head is one of the most acclaimed films John Woo has ever released and was a critical sensation when it was released in 1990. The film focuses on three friends who flee Hong Kong for Saigon after they murder a gang member and fear being pursued. They begin dabbling in the criminal world once they reach Saigon and run a black market that provides supplies throughout the Vietnam War. They are all then captured, and the film quickly turns into a test of endurance. It incorporates every element that makes a Woo film so great, and any fan should make sure they have watched it.