Film: Drug War

Director: Johnnie To
Genre: Drama
Source: USA (2013)
Rating: R
Location/Format: Netflix Instant Watch
Grade: A-

Johnnie To's Drug War starts out fast and steadily accelerates over the course of the film, culminating in one of the most intense shoot-outs on film since L.A. Confidential. Centered on one police detective and the drug dealer he holds under his thumb, the movie propels itself from one high-tension situation to the next particularly on the strength of its acting, editing, and tight scripting. As cop and criminal increasingly rely on each other, To explores the mirrored organizations that provide these two with support and strength. That mirroring becomes even more complicated as they bring the police officer undercover in order to further move up the ladder of the drug cartel.

Films like this make me wonder why the US often doesn't turn out action movies this focused and intense. Do I get distracted by recognizable actors? Do I get bored by plot lines that seem overly predictable, or that focus on spectacle rather than substance? Maybe. But maybe To's just a craftsman working with depth and not afraid to pull any punches.

I mean, that final shoot-out. It's one of the most shocking moments of the year for me, in part because he's got no fear in escalating the cost and the toll of the conflict. In the film's final moments, when handcuffs get involved on two separate characters, To allows the action itself to speak volumes about the lengths these two men will go in order to carry out their goals (or missions, or desires, or ideals). It's breathtaking and intense in all the best ways. Fantastic.