‘Silent Evening’ and John Woo Know That Bullets Converse Louder Than Phrases

John Woo might not be a giant identify for present filmgoing audiences — and to be honest, it’s been twenty years since his final huge theatrical launch within the U.S. — however motion followers know that he’s the true deal and an absolute legend. The Killer (1989), Bullet within the Head (1990), Laborious Boiled (1992), Laborious Goal (1993), Face/Off (1997), Mission: Inconceivable II (2000). Any motion filmmaker would like to have even a kind of classics on their resume, however they’re all Woo. After twenty years and 6 movies again in his native China, Woo has lastly returned to the U.S. with a brand new film. Silent Evening can’t contact Woo’s all-timers, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an entertaining, motion heavy experience with some shocking coronary heart. It’s additionally nearly fully devoid of dialogue.

A younger couple and their even youthful son are celebrating the Christmas vacation of their small Los Angeles yard when a pair of automobiles roar previous, weapons blazing at one another as a part of some ongoing turf conflict between gangs. A stray bullet strikes and immediately kills the boy, and when his dad takes off on foot in a rage-filled, shock-fueled pursuit, he lands a bullet in his throat for the trouble. Brian (Joel Kinnaman) survives the taking pictures, however he loses the power to talk. The times and weeks go, despair units in, and shortly not even his spouse Saya (Catalina Sandino Moreno) can see a approach by means of that includes them staying collectively. An concept lands, a necessity for vengeance, and Brian trades the booze for a plan. Cue a thirty minute coaching montage — train, knife preventing, taking pictures, driving — and Christmas Day will as soon as once more see bullets flying and our bodies falling.

With Brian unable to talk, Silent Evening carries that concept throughout the remainder of the characters for probably the most half leaving solely a handful of transient, soft-spoken phrases from others all through the complete movie. It’s in the end and undeniably a gimmick, however Woo and author Robert Archer Lynn use it to spotlight how universally understood the concepts of loss, grief, and vengeance actually are, particularly in terms of motion movies. Seems dialogue is pointless with a style story this direct (and arguably acquainted, see 2018’s unfairly maligned Peppermint), and whereas the dearth of speaking doesn’t actually add to issues it additionally by no means actually hurts the movie both.

Silence be damned, although, the massive query for followers and potential viewers will probably be in regard to the movie’s motion — how is Woo’s execution of explosive motion and gun play twenty years after his final American movie and 6 years after his final film (2017’s underseen and wildly ridiculous Manhunt)? It’s fairly good! Finances performs an element, as evidenced by cg blood and an iffy cg automotive crash early on, so don’t count on a lot in the best way of elaborate set-pieces, wickedly cool beats, or slow-motion carnage. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless noticeably higher than most Hollywood efforts lately and delivers gritty brawls, quite a few shootouts, and a few fashionable glimpses right here and there. Woo offers the motion a visceral really feel beginning with an early battle after Brian’s tried interrogation of a gangbanger goes awry and persevering with on to the ending.

The massive unhealthy, a imply fella named Playa (Harold Torres) with tattooed markings throughout his face and scalp, is headquartered in a highrise, and it’s there the place the movie finds its third-act showdown. Silent Evening takes minor inspiration from the likes of The Raid (2011) and The Princess (2022) on that entrance — one single-take sees Woo and cinematographer Sharone Meir decrease us down a tall stairwell solely to then observe Brian up once more as he squares off towards gangsters on every flooring. Playa’s pad will get the majority of the movie’s manufacturing design price range guaranteeing the ultimate set-pieces function some elaborate lighting and energetic photographs.

Woo’s filmography isn’t precisely constructed on logic or a necessity for issues to make sense, and Silent Evening continues that pattern. Fairly a couple of beats go away the movie open finger pointing and head-tilts, however just one appears significantly troublesome, if solely in a begrudgingly minor approach. Given the best way Brian’s son is killed, the sufferer of a stray bullet, you’d count on some consideration from the person on that rely. However no, Brian’s quest for revenge sees him nearly instantly buying and selling paint and lead with unhealthy guys as he fires off quite a few photographs from behind the wheel of his muscular Ford Mustang whereas racing by means of clearly populated neighborhoods. This isn’t the movie to marvel if any of these stray bullets left dying and destruction of their wake, however you’ll be questioning all the identical.

The police are primarily ineffective right here, a staple of the revenge subgenre, however Brian does go away a mark on one detective after dropping off all of the proof he’s accrued on the gang’s actions. Det. Vassell (Scott Mescudi) returns afterward permitting a short Woo trademark as two “good” guys sq. off earlier than becoming a member of forces, and like the opposite supporting gamers, Mescudi does good work guaranteeing each intentions and feelings are conveyed with out dialogue. Once more, moviegoers know the beats, and the dearth of conversations by no means threaten to muddy their understanding of the movie’s narrative drive.

To that time, Marco Beltrami‘s rating works fantastically to assist that drive with alternating stretches of propulsion and beauty guaranteeing that Silent Evening at all times feels prefer it’s on the transfer. The movie makes its objectives clear, accomplishes them, after which goes residence. It’s so simple as that. These demanding balletic set-pieces and doves is perhaps upset — though Woo does give us a small parrot early on — however reduce these expectations and also you’ll discover a acquainted however satisfying story of revenge that delivers thrills, catharsis, and an ending that’ll have a few of you getting a bit misty. However no, I’m nonetheless not fully offered on Woo remaking his personal basic movie The Killer as a Peacock Unique…

Associated Subjects: Motion, John Woo, Silent Evening

Rob Hunter has been writing for Movie College Rejects since earlier than you have been born, which is bizarre seeing as he is so rattling younger. He is our Chief Movie Critic and Affiliate Editor and lists ‘Broadcast Information’ as his favourite movie of all time. Be at liberty to say hello if you happen to see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.