A victim of studio-sanctioned cuts that misunderstood its inspiration, "The Replacement Killers" is actually way better than you remember - if you watch the right version.
This ended up being a quasi-sequel to my videos on John Woo’s Four Classics (ruclips.net/video/0p0u4ZSsDL0/видео.html) and Fuqua's King Arthur (ruclips.net/video/XIxBQRRNKWE/видео.html). Check them out first for the most cohesive experience!
I'm so glad to stumble upon some genuine Fuqua love. He's been a lowkey favorite journeyman of mine for some time. Some people consider the journeyman label for a filmmaker something of a dig or that it implies they are "lesser" artists. To me a journeyman is a filmmaker who lets the story dictate how they handle the direction. Fuqua doesn't let himself get in the way of what the film needs to be. He just makes rock solid, robust, adult ass movies for adult asses like me, lol. There is a patient, muscular force behind his best work I just really vibe with and The Replacement Killers has always felt like one of those films that is truly lost to time/indifference that I have always championed. Glad to see it getting some props.
missed the times where we had action packed movies. now its all about superhero movies. i'm not saying its bad to have superhero movies but.... the choices at cinema we have is so narrowed down. im glad we still have john wick .
I love the movie, it’s style and substance, I like the theatrical cut, but the extended cut is much better and Chow Yun Fat and Mira Sorvino delivered.
Absolutely! I’m glad I’m not the only geek who makes these connections. I’m a sucker for Woo-ripoffs/homages/what have you, so I’ve seen everything from The Replacement Killers to Joshua Tree/Army of One to Hard Justice, and it’s *really* cool watching a bunch of action nerds with a decent budget make one big homage to the genre. Buster Keaton, Melville, Woo, Korean cinema…I love the Wick movies.
I get the feeling I know why some of the scenes were cut...because it sure doesn't portray the CCP in a positive light. you're definitely right though, it adds layers to each character, and definitely makes the film better.
I'm a huge HUGE fan of the four classics and really didn't care for The Replacement Killers… Nice to know the extended cut is better! I will check it out. … That being said, Jesus Is King's fire you decadent Philistine!
@@WildFlicks yeah, the merchandise was so silly LOL! Hey, I was looking for a place to buy the a digital copy of the Extended Edition… Do you know of a streaming platform that sells it?
@@jordanpease3329 ah sadly it seems like both RUclips and Apple TV only run the butchered 87 minute version. The Blu-ray and DVD of the extended cut aren’t *too* pricey from what I’ve seen tho
Interesting video ... Have you seen The Corruptor (from 1999) where Chow You Fat plays the corrupt Chinatown cop and Mark Wahlberg plays his partner that is out to get him ? I thought that was an interesting movie, but would benefit from a more detailed script and a more inventive director.
This nightclub promoter I knew was in The Corrupter. Dude pissed me off after he brought me and my friends into a nightclub for free and immediately had us leaving within ten minutes. I rewatch that one scene where Chow Yun-Fat throws him down the stairs just to appease my temper. The movie was shot in my hometown of Toronto.
@@WildFlicks Check it out, for sure! It’s an interesting watch, Chow Yun-Fat playing against type. He’s, uh, not quite as heroic there as we’ve grown accustomed to his characters being, but there’s definitely crossover. Imagine William Friedkin or a reined-in Michael Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie, and you’re on the right track.
@@WildFlicks Well, let me backpedal a little bit. I don’t wanna set you up for disappointment. I probably don’t even need to tell you this, but James Foley doing William Friedkin or Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie isn’t the same as Friedkin or Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie. I just wanna put that out there. 😂 But it definitely brings to mind The French Connection and To Live and Die in L.A., or Year of the Dragon. And I’ve had Golden Flower on my to-watch list for years now, I’ve just never gotten around to it. I supposed I’ve been saving it for a rainy day. It’s been wet out - maybe that rainy day is coming up soon. I should check it out.
I've never seen the Extended Cut but I really like the Theatrical Cut. It doesn't waste time and I'm so glad they cut the romance stuff because it would make no sense. He has a family and they just met and within 48h would start a relationship? yeah no. I'm still curious though so I may check it out.
This ended up being a quasi-sequel to my videos on John Woo’s Four Classics (ruclips.net/video/0p0u4ZSsDL0/видео.html) and Fuqua's King Arthur (ruclips.net/video/XIxBQRRNKWE/видео.html). Check them out first for the most cohesive experience!
I'm so glad to stumble upon some genuine Fuqua love.
He's been a lowkey favorite journeyman of mine for some time. Some people consider the journeyman label for a filmmaker something of a dig or that it implies they are "lesser" artists.
To me a journeyman is a filmmaker who lets the story dictate how they handle the direction. Fuqua doesn't let himself get in the way of what the film needs to be. He just makes rock solid, robust, adult ass movies for adult asses like me, lol. There is a patient, muscular force behind his best work I just really vibe with and The Replacement Killers has always felt like one of those films that is truly lost to time/indifference that I have always championed.
Glad to see it getting some props.
This is fantastic WF. Rare to find a fan of Replacement Killers, esp this extended version. You get my follow.
Ikr
missed the times where we had action packed movies. now its all about superhero movies. i'm not saying its bad to have superhero movies but.... the choices at cinema we have is so narrowed down. im glad we still have john wick .
Whether or not you like superhero movies, I think we can all agree more choices and original IP at the multiplex would be good.
Really like your channel. Hope you blow up. Your commentary keeps me engaged - so informative!!!!
I wish they could re-edit all the footage with the relationship between Chow and Mia back in I think it would make characters that more interesting
Me too! Would be very curious to see another extended version with even more of that in.
I love the movie, it’s style and substance, I like the theatrical cut, but the extended cut is much better and Chow Yun Fat and Mira Sorvino delivered.
Good video, now i want to see this movie
Yes!! Great movie! I wish more people would speak of this movie.
Love this film i watched it in theaters in 1998 and watch it all the time 🙏 ❤
20 years later we have John Wick
Absolutely! I’m glad I’m not the only geek who makes these connections. I’m a sucker for Woo-ripoffs/homages/what have you, so I’ve seen everything from The Replacement Killers to Joshua Tree/Army of One to Hard Justice, and it’s *really* cool watching a bunch of action nerds with a decent budget make one big homage to the genre. Buster Keaton, Melville, Woo, Korean cinema…I love the Wick movies.
John Lee definitely should be in the John Wick universe!
Fascinating. Thank you.
Mira sorvino❤
Going to buy the extended cut of the Replacement Killers
Thank you so much for this, I've always wondered what was missing in this movie!
John Woo direction is missing.
so glad i discovered this channel
I get the feeling I know why some of the scenes were cut...because it sure doesn't portray the CCP in a positive light. you're definitely right though, it adds layers to each character, and definitely makes the film better.
dude this was 30 years ago. Nobdoy give f about CCP back then...
05:06 - what a great line!!!! :) "what could?" YES MAN!!!!
I see it on VHS when it came out but I had no idea there was SO much cut out. Damn.
Well done!
Doctor Sleep is another film that drastically benefits from an extended cut.
They cut the Romance out of Jet Lis Romeo Must Die too
Right, and that’s particularly egregious given it’s a loose adaption of Romeo & Juliet…
(what're the movies in the end bump?)
In order: Sonatine, Buffalo 66, Possession, The Proposition, Ghost Dog, The Rover, Perfect Blue, and Violent Cop!
I'm a huge HUGE fan of the four classics and really didn't care for The Replacement Killers… Nice to know the extended cut is better! I will check it out.
… That being said, Jesus Is King's fire you decadent Philistine!
It’s merch sure ain’t tho. I did love Donda, and I bump “Follow God” now and then, so maybe Ye will enlighten me yet.
@@WildFlicks yeah, the merchandise was so silly LOL! Hey, I was looking for a place to buy the a digital copy of the Extended Edition… Do you know of a streaming platform that sells it?
@@jordanpease3329 ah sadly it seems like both RUclips and Apple TV only run the butchered 87 minute version. The Blu-ray and DVD of the extended cut aren’t *too* pricey from what I’ve seen tho
@@WildFlicks Okay, thank you!
You refer briefly to an extended cut of King Arthur… Did you cover this in a video or can you explain more?
Yes, these videos are in my pinned comment at the top. I also added a timestamp to them in the video!
Film critic changes opinion (not click bait) (gone wrong???)
I'm going to watch this again, I really didn't like it initially
Interesting video ... Have you seen The Corruptor (from 1999) where Chow You Fat plays the corrupt Chinatown cop and Mark Wahlberg plays his partner that is out to get him ? I thought that was an interesting movie, but would benefit from a more detailed script and a more inventive director.
I haven’t, but I’ve always been curious and it’s pretty cheap these days - I’ll take a look!
This nightclub promoter I knew was in The Corrupter. Dude pissed me off after he brought me and my friends into a nightclub for free and immediately had us leaving within ten minutes. I rewatch that one scene where Chow Yun-Fat throws him down the stairs just to appease my temper. The movie was shot in my hometown of Toronto.
@@WildFlicks Check it out, for sure! It’s an interesting watch, Chow Yun-Fat playing against type. He’s, uh, not quite as heroic there as we’ve grown accustomed to his characters being, but there’s definitely crossover. Imagine William Friedkin or a reined-in Michael Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie, and you’re on the right track.
@@allamaraine8066 Sold! Chow Yun-Fat can play assholes well too, I always loved how despicable he is in Curse of the Golden Flower.
@@WildFlicks Well, let me backpedal a little bit. I don’t wanna set you up for disappointment. I probably don’t even need to tell you this, but James Foley doing William Friedkin or Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie isn’t the same as Friedkin or Cimino directing a heroic bloodshed movie. I just wanna put that out there. 😂 But it definitely brings to mind The French Connection and To Live and Die in L.A., or Year of the Dragon.
And I’ve had Golden Flower on my to-watch list for years now, I’ve just never gotten around to it. I supposed I’ve been saving it for a rainy day. It’s been wet out - maybe that rainy day is coming up soon. I should check it out.
This was John wick before John wick
👍🎬🧋☕️🥤❤
The replacement killers is a good movie The Killer is a great movie.
I've never seen the Extended Cut but I really like the Theatrical Cut. It doesn't waste time and I'm so glad they cut the romance stuff because it would make no sense. He has a family and they just met and within 48h would start a relationship? yeah no.
I'm still curious though so I may check it out.
It was his mother and sister back in China, not wife and child.
Well, what do you expect? It's what Fuqua does.
I really tried with this movie but it’s just so bad I struggled to get through it. The shootouts are very unrealistic so the stakes feel off.