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Breaking News VCD

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Breaking News
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Customer Review of "Breaking News"

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Average Customer Rating for this Edition: Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)
Average Customer Rating for All Editions of this Product: Customer Review Rated Bad 7 - 7 out of 10 (20)

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Kevin Kennedy
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April 26, 2010

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
Nonsensical To-directed actioner Customer Review Rated Bad 6 - 6 out of 10
Given its improbable story elements and inappropriate casting choices, "Breaking News" falls back on piling on the visceral energy with enough bullets and bombs to rival an old John Woo movie. Police detectives are surveilling a gang of bandits when a couple of clueless street cops intervene and cause all heck to break loose. Unfortunately, a TV news crew is on hand to film the carnage and the resulting news coverage gives a black eye to the HK police force. Police honcho Simon Yam calls a meeting of top cops to discuss how to respond to the situation; glamorous cop Kelly Chen proposes that, in order to restore their reputation, the police should respond with a televised spectacle in which they bring down the gang in front of the assembled news media. In the real world, anyone with half a brain would have nixed such an absurd idea, but in director Johnnie To's world it apparently seems like sheer genius to gather an army of policemen to take out an ultra-violent gang of thugs holed up in a crowded apartment building in the full glare of the news media. What could go wrong?

Fortunately for the viewer, director To keeps the pedal to the metal throughout, setting an almost unrelenting pace of cops running down narrow hallways amidst a hale of bullets and bursting bombs. Chief among the pursuing cups is grim-faced Nick Cheung, whom Kelly Chen wants to rein in but who disregards orders and ceaselessly pursues the bad guys. Indeed, his pursuit becomes laughable, as he gets blown through the air by bombs, hit by a car, and shot off of a motorcycle, yet never relents in his pursuit of the evildoers. (Another improbability: Lam Suet, playing a hostage held by the baddies, seems to be a model dad to his two adorable children, but then seeks to flee out a window, leaving his kids in the hands of killers. What father would do such a thing?)

Richie Jen plays the lead bad guy, but, due to his affable screen presence and to a script that romanticizes the thugs, Jen lacks the requisite menace for his role. A worse casting decision is Kelly Chen. There seems to be no one home behind that those high cheekbones and beautiful eyes; one can't imagine her being entrusted to run such an operation. In the end, the viewer is left with an improbable, mildly entertaining, and blessedly short actioner shot in the slick MilkyWay style.
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Rhoda
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October 21, 2008

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
Loved it Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10
This movie is really appreciated by me. I think this is the first To movie i have seen...late review only. But i really liked the acting of Ritchie Chen. I find him so manly in this action movie.. even the ending is great. I film you should not miss.
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Les
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November 3, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
Uneven Story Customer Review Rated Bad 6 - 6 out of 10
Lots of suspension of disbelief is required in order to buy into this movie. Several major plot holes occur and detract from what could have been a very suspenseful story. Some of the gunplay was quite ridiculous & unbelievable. Also as with many other HK movies, the level of police tactics, training & cooperation is unprofessional & near incompent -- insubordination & renegade techniques are frequently present. The use of grenades as boobytraps was poorly done as they were all obviously inert dummies because the fuze handles were blue color. They could not have been used as a threat against the hostages either. The theme of media as a determining factor in how a crime in progress plays out was not satisfactorily explored. It was good to see reliable actor Simon Yam. Kelly Chen was in over her head. Nick Cheung was his usual goofy self. Passable entertainment for just killing time. No great climatic pay off at the end.
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Anonymous

March 20, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
simulation of a good movie Customer Review Rated Bad 7 - 7 out of 10
This movie was very fast paced and had big EPS (Explosions per second). The acting wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to let you get involved in the plot. A "show" between police and some thugs. The build up to a climax was great, lots of shooting and explosions... however, the ending kind of dissappointed me. All the buildup for such a simple, weak ending.
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Anonymous

March 17, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
It's Okay Customer Review Rated Bad 7 - 7 out of 10
It's an okay movie for me. Kelly is not suited for this role. I have nothing against her and thinks she is a good singer and role model but she doesn't carry this role well and across. She hasn't got that air of authority. In fact, I think Maggie would have done a much better job. Nicky Cheung, as usual, is a talented actor. Plot wise, a bit weak for me. Deepest impressions will have to be the segments where the bad guys were in the hostages' home.
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shinban
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March 3, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
It's ok..... Customer Review Rated Bad 7 - 7 out of 10
The story is pretty interesting... but I don't like the way the director filmed the movie. In addition, this movie makes the robbery and killer too cool, friendly and nice, not quite fit the reality.
The most interesting part is the ending where Richie went to completed the other guy's mission to kill the person and the guy completed Richie's mission to rob the money truck.
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Anonymous

February 25, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
breaking film !! Customer Review Rated Bad 9 - 9 out of 10
This is a great movie so far from Johnnie To. I always admire his work, especially Running Out Of Time, Running On Karma, The Mission and PTU.
This movie realistic yet entertaining, but above all is his one take long shot scene that I really like.
Johnnie To always comes out some interesting idea for his films, so let's wait for another new movie from Mr. To himself.
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Anonymous

February 14, 2005

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
alright Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10
this movie is alright, i was watching it and trying to figure out why one of the guy was nominated for best supporting actor.......but i can't find ANYTHING that deserves the nomination.....he didn't even talk much in the movie......i think people just nominate him because of the director or something.....all BS...but who i THINK should be nominated is that little kid....his performance was spectacular!
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Anonymous

December 29, 2004

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
hmm.. Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10
finally got it and watched it. pretty good for a hong kong movie. i thought it wouldn't be that good but it was intense. very interestin showin both sides, good vs. bad guys. though the only part i kinda dislike was all the shootin.lol. anyway i so recommend it.
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Anonymous

September 7, 2004

This customer review refers to Breaking News (DTS Version)
not bad Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10
i'd say this is a pretty good movie about 2 total strangers or criminals rather that came together.,, its just the trust and loyalty that were portrayed that caught my eye in this movie...2 strangers who tries to fulfill one anothers dreams...wow...and richie jen was just great in the movie
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