Benjamin Coles (ozarksavage1977)

A western epic of grand proportions. Eastwood returns for the third time a Sergio Leone's Man with no name, this time he is being chased by mercenary Lee Van Cleef with the hinderance of bumbling criminal Eli Wallach. Gunfights, double crosses and the back drop of the American Civil War make up this bench mark in spaghetti westerns.

Johnnie To exceeds himself, an instant classic. For a director who can turn out almost two movies a year using casts of regulars it surprises me how he can keep the quality at such a high level. I loved the spaghetti western influences in the characters, dialogue, score and themes of the film. Even Macau was made to look like a deserted town with the ineffectual sheriff just trying to keep from getting himself killed. It is a sign of genius and great filmmaking that can keep you interested with such sparse dialogue. All your attention is draw to the cinematography and the performances that the actors put in. That and the several shoot outs, each different from last in style, that could put John Woo to shame. Simon Yam is at his menacingly evil best, but it is a mohawked Anthony Wong that steals most of the scenes he is in. Wong's character is central to the story it is decisions that tear between loyalty for his boss and his bond with his brotherhood that bring the plot along. Watch and enjoy for it's breathtaking simplicity and downright cool.