:
Shu Qi,
Shu Qi,
Zhao Wei,
more...
:
Corey Yuen,
Corey Yuen
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Columbia TriStar
: Action, Foreign, Hong Kong, UK, Cyberpunk
: 110 min.
: English, French, Cantonese, Mandarin
: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Korean, Thai
see additional details...
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A high tech corporation is sent into turmoil when hackers demanding ransom break into their internal computer system with a powerful and apparently unstoppable virus. A mysterious, beautiful young woman who calls herself "Computer Angel" quickly saves the business. But when she requests a meeting with the company's shady CEO, he gets more than he bargained for. Lynn (Shu Qi of The Transporter) turns out to be a highly skilled assassin, who knocks off the CEO with the help of her rambunctious younger sister Sue (Zhao Wei of Shaolin Soccer). Sue uses a powerful computer program developed by the girls' murdered father, which uses satellites to tap into closed-circuit security cameras, enabling her to see where all the cannon fodder/guards are and direct Lynn's escape, while taking over the security team's audio system to pipe in a cover of the Carpenters' "(They Long to Be) Close to You." But things soon get dicey for Lynn and Sue. A brilliant, sexy forensics expert, Hong (Karen Mok, who also sings the film's theme song), is hot on their trail, and the creeps who hired the girls decide to cover their tracks by killing them. Complicating matters further, Lynn reunites with an old flame and contemplates giving up the business and settling down, much to Sue's chagrin. So Close was filmed in Mandarin, necessitating (reportedly poor) dubbing into Cantonese for the Hong Kong release. The film was directed by Corey Yuen, who made his Hollywood debut with The Transporter. Before that, he was best known for his fight choreography on many of Jet Li's films. So Close was shown at the Subway Cinema's 2003 New York Asian Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Ever since appearing in a small role in Fist of Fury over thirty years ago, Corey Yuen has worked in some capacity - stunt man, choreographer, director - on an average of at least four films a year, more than a few of them milestones in the history of action cinema. Sean Axmaker asks him about keeping such a frantic pace on three continents. Full article >>
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| Babes kicking booty
by glchen
February 23, 2004 - 7:37 PM PST
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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| Shu Qi and Zhao Wei are assassins for hire while Karen Mok is the police officer looking to make them pay for their crimes. Shu attempts to keep the targets to vigilante targets, i.e., only taking out the bad guys. Zhao is her younger sister, inexperienced but eager to prove she can bring her skills to this high stakes game. I liked this movie. I've watched a lot of Hong Kong movies, and the martial arts and gun play are excellent here although there may be a bit too many slow motion sequences. The plot doesn't break any new ground and is not particularly suspenseful, however the action moves briskly, and there are enough twists to keep you on your feet. I liked the theme song "So Close" from the Carpenters, and it made me want to go running to the music store for the CD. Finally, the hint of lesbianism and sexual innuendo is just right and provides the spark that give the movie extra bite. If you're looking for an action movie that's easy on the eyes, check out "So Close" and sit back for an entertaining time. |
| Hollywood should stay out of Asia
by RussMeyer
February 6, 2004 - 11:45 AM PST
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4 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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More than anything, this movie is proof that all the money in the world may buy you cinematic slick, but it won't capture great fight scenes, or keep the audience from being bored. This film is brought to you by Columbia Pictures Asia. No seriously. I'm being for real.
If you're a die-hard, Honk Kong action movie fan, stay away. This movie will bore you to tears. It's a chick flick disguised as something more. And that something more is the fact that there are fight scenes sprinkled throughout. They're painful to watch because they aren't shot in a manner that truly captures the energy of the fight.
If you want to see kick ass Hong Kong fare, check out the Shaw Brothers' movies with Gordon Liu. THAT'S HK filmmaking. At least the choreography in the final fight scene is interesting.
Hollywood shoudn't export their bad movie-making techniques to other countries. Especially not to Asia. |
| So close...and yet so far
by MrBunBun
February 5, 2004 - 5:09 AM PST
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3 out of 3 members found this review helpful
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This movie could have been good. It had a great line-up and a slick HK aesthetic. I know a few people who raved about "So Close" but I personally found it dull. I think it depends on where you're coming from and what you are expecting.
This movie attempts to be a cross between Mission Impossible and Charlie's Angels and has very monochromatic, slick Hong Kong aeshetics. If you are a hard core HK action fan or a fan of any of these actresses you probably will like this movie.
Personally, I usually find these pared down aesthetics to be kind of boring and the action just doesn't do it for me. Have you seen Ecks vs. Sever? Also a valiant attempt to make a kick-ass action movie but it failed miserably because it relied on trying to be slick and the action scenes, while there were many, were *flat*. How can an action scene be boring? Oh believe me, it can be.
Also, in the contemporary Asian action vein, this film was noteable for a few special effects and all female protaganists (including some subtle lesbionic leanings) but otherwise I didn't feel it was anything special.
I was able to watch the entire movie, but only found it mildly entertaining. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.30)
110 Votes
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