Other Titles • An zhan • Running Out of Time • Am zin (1999)
Synopses for Am zin (1999)
1.
Johnny To, whose cool, precise gangster thriller The Mission is one of the best Hong Kong films since the Chinese takeover, brings a stylish flair to Running Out of Time, an absurdly plotted but compelling cat-and-mouse crime drama that became a box-office smash in Hong Kong. Criminal genius Wah (pop star Andy Lau) is given only a few weeks to live by his doctor, so he embarks on an elaborate heist and strings along hostage negotiator and unconventional supercop Sang (Lau Ching Wan) as part of the fun. "I just want to play a game with you for 72 hours," Wah confesses. "Great," responds Sang's blustery boss, "it's lunatic against lunatic." The elaborate scheme has something to do with a bald badass mobster (an almost unrecognizable Waise Lee, of John Woo's Bullet in the Head and A Better Tomorrow), a priceless gem, and a debt of honor. There's a hint of Woo's warrior bonding as cop and crook develop a respectful adversarial friendship in their running battle of wits: "If you can get me to the police station, you win." It all hinges on some far-fetched twists and the Hong Kong cops are little more than buffoons for most of the film, but To's steely seriousness, sleek style, and runaway pacing keep the film flying through most of the improbabilities. --Sean Axmaker
2.
Wah's doctors tell him that he has 2 weeks left to live, so he figures he has nothing to lose by committing a few crimes. As he takes on the Hong Kong Police Force, one negotiator is determined to stop him from continuing with his plans, but who will put the most on the line in order to carry out their agenda? And what exactly are Wah's plans? An exciting action drama with good character turns from the lead actors, RUNNING OUT OF TIME became one of Hong Kong's biggest hits ever, and star Andy Lau won Best Actor at the 2000 Hong Kong Film Awards.
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