There are many filmmakers who have contributed to the action movie genre, but arguably few have left as sustained a legacy as John Woo. Back in the 80s and 90s, Woo's hyper-kinetic style dominated cinemas and introduced several groundbreaking trends that many action films have attempted to emulate ever since. Woo rose to prominence with his international hits The Killer and Hard-Boiled and from there his stature and respect within the industry rose.
Woo eventually made his way stateside and directed hits such as Broken Arrow, Face-Off, and Mission Impossible II. During his career, Woo's work has been critically acclaimed and won numerous awards, including the Saturn award and the Hong Kong Film Awards for best director, though he has been relatively absent in the past decade. With such a rich legacy behind him, and with his return to cinemas with the dialogue-free action flick Silent Night, let's break down five reasons why John Woo is one of the greatest action directors of all time.
Stunning Choreography
For any action film, memorable choreography is key, and thankfully John Woo's films have those in strong supply. Woo's sequences have been described as elegant and balletic, and juxtapose beauty and brutality in equal measure. Woo's sequences also emphasize details other directors fail to pay attention to, and are filmed in fluid and graceful takes that allow viewers to savor the action. The great action sequences in Woo's films have noted for their intricacy and visual flair which have allowed them to feel artful. Despite their brutal nature, the gorgeous choreography and cinematography ensures that the action feels organic and natural.
Woo's action scenes have their own signature flourishes and trademarks, such as the appearance of a white dove (signifying his constant obsession of what 'good vs. evil' really means) or graceful slow-motion. By incorporating these touches, the set pieces feel distinctly their own. Regardless of the film, Woo's signature style is a benchmark that has consistently raised the bar on what action films are capable of, and have influenced everything from John Wick to The Matrix (and non-Keanu films, of course).
Ambitious Storytelling
Action films often emphasize the truly over the top and sensational. For John Woo, particularly in films such as Hard Boiled and Face-Off, his storytelling is especially bold and ambitious. Many of Woo's narratives take on high-octane stakes and are imaginative in their set pieces and execution. In Hard Boiled, Woo confidently depicts the bonkers sequence of a police officer navigating several levels of a skyscraper filled with deadly assassins. Each layer added is more inventive than the last and ups the ante considerably, and the very successful film The Raid wouldn't exist without this scene.
While many action films claim to have the biggest or most outrageous plot lines, Woo's films truly are the real deal. Thanks to his inventive concepts and all out execution, any Woo film is bound to deliver in terms of ambition and scale.
They're Cinematic As Hell
Few filmmakers can have frames ooze with as much style and flair as John Woo's. From each shot and edit, it's clear that Woo is dedicated to crafting as uniquely cinematic an experience as possible. In an era where the shaky cam has become a trend in action series like the Jason Bourne movies, it's refreshing to see action scenes that feel as vivid and orchestrated as Woo's. The sheer amount of evident artistry and craft truly elevates the action in Woo's films to the level of poetry. In lesser filmmaker's hands, one wouldn't emphasize the details, but in the hands of a master such as Woo, these details take on a life of their own. Many critics have gone on to cite Woo as not just a talented action filmmaker but an artist of the medium whose work could be considered cinematic poetry.
Throughout his career and regardless of the film's setting, Woo always manages to instill a true sense of the cinematic. This has helped even his most generic sounding films feel more dimensional than the standard fare. In films such as The Killer, he takes what could've been a simple movie about revenge and gives it a layer of sophistication that transcends its conventions. For many action filmmakers, playing endlessly in the sandbox is a genuine appeal, and few do it with more zeal than Jon Woo.
Deeper Themes and Motifs
One true mark of a great film is that it can be dissected and analyzed long after the credits roll. Woo's films have several instances of symbolism that have left viewers going back to them again and again. From the signature white doves to his use of locales such as churches and mirrors as backdrops, Woo is concerned with more than just bullets and fisticuffs. The richness of the ideas presented in his films has been rightly acknowledged by critics as proof of Woo's talent. The fact that Woo can explore themes such as identity, duplicity, and masculinity all in the form of an accessible blockbuster is a testament to the complexity of his work.
While many action directors are known primarily for their effects, it's even rarer to be known for something deeper. For Jon Woo, his mastery lies in not just his set pieces but the deeper ideas behind them and his masterworks such as The Killer have left behind a legacy of their own.
His Movies Are An Absolute Blast
Nothing beats the thrill of watching an absolutely pedal to the metal action film. Thankfully, John Woo's filmography is utterly exhilarating and a sheer joy to witness. Even some of his lesser films have their own charms and highlights, and they never feel cynical or dispassionate. While fans will point to different films as their personal favorite, each of Woo's movies has something to offer. From the gonzo spectacle of Hard Boiled, to the moody atmosphere of The Killer and the gleeful absurdity of Face-Off, which is now considered a masterpiece, no two works are the same. To top it off, all of them have a palpable joy and exuberance that's genuinely captivating.
There's a reason many die-hard movie buffs come back to Woo's body of work and why his films are highly re-watchable. For John Woo, his catalog is host to plenty of classics that have stood the test of time. Overall, thanks to their high entertainment value, the filmography of John Woo very much holds up and resonates with audiences, not only being highly influential but remaining some of the best action films of all time.