One thing I like about showing up late to the HKMDB is I don't have to give a big review and outline of the story. Read someone elses for that. As far as my opinion.....

REASONS WHY I LOVE "THE MISSION"

1.Old School meets New School, on screen and off. Never has a HK film taken the some of the best pro's and paired them with some new blood and have the result so seamless and natural.

2. About #1, it happens IN the movie as well!.

3. DOWNTIME - Johnny To uses downtime like no other HK director. When those guys are kicking that piece of paper around, playing soccer, bored to tears waiting for their boss? You are watching a piece of HK film history. They will be showing that clip 50 years from now. There is an old American Western called My Darling Clementine and the actor Henry Fonda as the sheriff Wyatt Earp is trying sooo hard to sit and balance his chair against a pole. It's simple and magical.

2. THE ACTION SET PIECES - I like to call it "The Escalator" it's a big shoot out but everybody is so god damn relaxed because they are PROFESSIONALS.

3. THE TENSION - Hey I'm not going to spoil the plot but let me say the ending IS TENSE.

4. THE TWIST - see #3 Is there a traitor? an undercover cop? SORRY could be both, one or none.

5. THE CHARACTERS - although I have a love/hate thing for Anthony Wong, his understated performance helps the others more than you think. EVERBODY is good.

Sorry, I like to keep things short. The fact that you are on this sight means you WILL see this movie. Correct?