Movies Similar to Breaking News (2004)

Breaking News (2004)
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Hong Kong-based filmmaker Johnny To directed this fast-moving action drama that explores the role of the media in current events. The Hong Kong police force takes a beating in the court of public opinion after their unsuccessful attempt to foil a high-stakes robbery is broadcast on live television. Determined to turn the tables, detectives on the force discover where the five criminals who masterminded the job are lying low, and they stage a major siege at the hideout. The hundreds of police officers have also armed themselves with cameras along with their guns as they turn the ambush into a media event. The thieves prove to be a difficult quarry to capture and they use their own video equipment to send pictures to the press at the same time, turning the shootout into a battle of images as well. Breaking News stars Kelly Chen, Richie Jen, and Nick Cheung. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Richie RenKelly Chen, (more)
Director(s):
Johnny To
Format(s):
DVD
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    Jeremy R.

    This movie starts off with a really remarkable scene. One big long continuous gunfight, a running battle between a gang of robbers and the police. Has a more realistic feel than many gunfights. Anyway, after that, the movie is a bit downhill, though it's still worth watching. Basically the crooks get away, and the police chase them. But in the mean time, much the police's effort is also spend on presenting a good face to the media. But that backfires on occasion. Eventually the robbers are found by the police in an apartment building, and they inadvertantly make contact with 2 other crooks, hitmen, who mistakently think the police are after them. The head of the two groups sort of bond while hiding. The middle of the movie is kinda slow, and the ending scene is not as good as the begining. But the read downside is that you never learn much about the characters. Really only the 2 leaders of the each criminal group, and even then not much.

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    James V.

    Much more enjoyable than I could imagine from its so-so stateside reviews, BREAKING NEWS manages to be exciting, funny, satiric & a tad moving at certain key moments. Featuring an effortlessly charismatic performance from the actor who plays the lead "bad guy" (he doubles as quite the laid-back chef), the movie offers what initially looks like a satire of the relationship between media & law enforcement but turns into an interesting "take" on how the two use each other, occasionally to good purpose. Combining technology with shoot-'em-up & decent plotting, director Johnnie To & his writers have crafted a much better-than-average Hong Kong hottie that should please aficionados & bring some newcomers into the fold. (I admit to being flummoxed by the meaning of the final photograph, but I had so much fun along the way that I didn't mind remaining in the dark. A set-up for a sequel, maybe?) The movie times out under 90 minutes, too--just the right length, given its content & style.

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    Brian B.

    The filming angles get in the way of the story. Loads of shooting in hallways, etc. It gets REALLY REALLY ridiculous because 1000s of bullets fly and very few people in the movie get hurt or shot. It's simply a shootout scene filmed 20 different times. The movie is really missing something.. there is not enough character development and simply too much action. I did not CARE about the characters and would have liked to have known more about the main character, the villain.. but he spent more time shooting than anything else. It has a few moments, and the public relations battle was well done.. that being said, the movie has too much shooting and not enough dialogue. And the shooting scenes are simply outlandish, so much so, that you are like "OK.. we get the point...let's move on."

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