The VHS Strikes Back
Hard Boiled (1992)
Published: 19 February 2025 at 06:00 Europe/London
Listen on
Episode notes
Timothy's picked some belters in the past with the likes of the Hitcher, Scarface, Nighthawks and others. And this time, he's gone for the iconic 1992 action crime thriller, Hard Boiled.
Hard Boiled (1992), directed by action maestro John Woo, is a landmark in the Hong Kong action genre, known for its hyper-stylized violence and stunning gunplay choreography. The film was a departure from Woo’s typical themes of brotherhood and loyalty, focusing instead on a relentless, hard-edged cop named Tequila. Woo wanted to push the limits of action cinema, combining emotionally driven storytelling with balletic shootouts. The film’s production was intense and complex, featuring elaborate set pieces that required meticulous planning, including the now-legendary hospital shootout that took over a month to film.
The production was plagued by challenges, from budget constraints to Woo’s perfectionist approach, which led to prolonged filming. At one point, the crew had to rebuild part of the hospital set after a massive explosion shot went awry. Despite the hurdles, Hard Boiled became a genre-defining classic, with Woo’s signature slow-motion action sequences and inventive camera work influencing Hollywood filmmakers for decades. It marked the end of Woo’s Hong Kong career before his move to Hollywood, where his style became a blueprint for modern action cinema.
If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback
Plot Summary
Inspector Tequila, a tough Hong Kong cop, goes on a relentless mission to take down a dangerous arms-smuggling syndicate after his partner is killed in a brutal shootout. Teaming up with an undercover cop named Alan, who is deeply embedded in the criminal world, Tequila navigates a treacherous web of deception and violence. As tensions rise, the duo finds themselves in a deadly showdown inside a hospital packed with innocent lives at stake, culminating in an explosive battle of survival and justice.
