winner55 Akira Kurosawa's first film was a martial arts film: Sanshiro Sugata. This is almost never seen in the west; and I confess I haven't seen it. But I know what Akira Kurosawa did in film, and I have more than a general sense of his style and his concerns - what makes a Kurosawa film identifiably Kurosawa.Johnnie To's tribute to Akira Kurosawa comes as a very splendid surprise. Not really a martial - arts film, this is the story of champion judo wrestler who, going blind, wallows in drink, gambling, petty theft and jazz (do these all go together?) Anyway, although the final 20 minutes of the film gets a little heavy, for the most part this is a humorous look at some Hong Kong low-lives, and how their redemption comes through the personal discipline necessary to learn judo. Even if you don't like judo, you will enjoy this film - very professionally crafted and acted.

perezidential-2 This movie was lots of fun. If you were expecting an all-out fighting movie I can see why you'd be let down. I actually only heard about this movie last week when I borrowed it from a friend. It didn't disappoint at all. If you are a fan of early Kurosawa films (Sanshiro Sugata in particular) you'll love this. It's kind of a modern re-telling of it. Like that film, and this film, there is a sort of suspension of reality. The characters are common archetypes - the has-been master, the wayward girl, the up-and-comer, the bad guy. The film doesn't intend to be a serious drama. Even the "bad guy" really isn't bad. It's more about the spirit of competition and getting back on your feet after you've been knocked down (no pun intended).To me the film excels in its visuals. The film is shot beautifully with vivid colors that set the mood perfectly for each scene. And the finale? A duel in the wind-swept grass! How old-school is that?! Throw Down is a great film if you go in with little or no expectations of what it's "suppposed to be like." Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

tsulrednaw This movie was just barely watchable. I kept wishing it would end already and if it weren't for the fact that my friend was actually really into it (he liked the judo scenes, but admitted to having no idea what the movie what about) I would have walked out.Perhaps it has to do with a Hong Kong movie style, but the plot was all over the place and I had only the vaguest idea as to what was going on. I didn;t even really know or care about the characters. Why did Sun Tzo need money? WHy did he leave judo? Why did the other guy want to fight so badly? What is the girl's relationships to the men? Why are they suddenly lightheartedly grasping for a balloon? Why is the guy at the end wearing a blindfold? I appreciate subtlety but, perhaps because of the translation or cultural differences, I found this movie was unbearable.

Nick_Vorobyov Throw DownMy disappointment cannot be put in words. Another Johnny To masterpiece? I beg to differ. The DVD I purchased from Pacific Mall had no English Sub Titles but I didn't mind a whole lot. After all I did want to see this movie for the action initially. But unfortunately the action scenes where all under a minute in length, and where filmed mostly at nighttime. The movie was the most disappointing film of the year for me, and yes I have seen the so-called cinematic masterpieces Johnny To did earlier in his career. I was waiting for Johnny To to redeem himself with one of his upcoming films but sadly that never happened. Now that I think about it I shall change my rating and give Breaking News a 2.5. It's probably his best movie, and that's not saying much. I despise this Director, for his films never deliver what they promise. I think of him as US's Michael Bay and Joel. S. He is the poor man's John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ringo Lam. The Action: I list the fights. I don't go in to Detail. But I do mention the Length. So read at your own risk, but I wouldn't consider it to be such extreme Spoilers. Hmm but I do sort of Spoil the end fight... So choose wisely.1st Hour: -Fight in the street between two main characters(Its about a minute in length and the second best fight in the film)-Table Being Flipped Over(I consider it to be an action scene) Very Short-Judo Match- Short-Training Scene - Very Short2nd Hour: -Another Short Fight-A Very promising Fight Inside A Night Club ruined by the darkness and bad Camera Work. Thank you Johnny To for thinking of the audience.-This Scene is made up of 3 fights. There are cuts in between them, but I still consider them to be one. It starts of with a very short Training scene, followed by a Darkish Fight, then A Roof Top Fight. All very short. I mean like 10 seconds at most. And it ends with a Judo match that was the best fight in the movie. A great scene but not very long)-Another Judo Match followed by a Short Training Scene – Overall very good but once again very very short-The last fight is amusing. A blindfolded character faces a teacher in a cornfield. At night We as the audience don't see a thing. Maybe one or two attacks. Very disappointing fight. The best lit fights very probably the Judo scenes and the street fight. P.S Well what does this movie deserve… I shall give it a 1/5. And I am still being generous I feel.