Watch Vengeance

Vengeance is a French-Hong Kong co-production crime-thriller movie from 2009, directed by Johnnie To, and featuring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, and Simon Yam in the leading roles. The movie revolves around an aging French chef named Costello, who travels to Hong Kong to avenge the death of his daughter and her family. The movie begins with Costello visiting his daughter in Macau, where she resides with her husband and two children. During his visit, Costello's daughter and her family are brutally attacked and left for dead by a group of hitmen. While Costello miraculously survives the attack, his loved ones do not, leaving him devastated and desiring revenge.

In an effort to hunt down the culprits, Costello decides to hire a trio of hitmen. The team is led by the local gangster Kwai, who agrees to help Costello in exchange for being set free after his imminent arrest. Along with his partners, Chu and Lok, Kwai embarks on a mission to track down the killers, and Costello accompanies them, determined to avenge his loved ones.

As they begin their investigation, the team discovers that the murders were not random, and their investigation leads them into the dangerous world of organized crime in Hong Kong. The team also uncovers a web of deceit, greed, and corruption that involves several high-ranking officials, including the local police. As they close in on their targets, the team faces a series of obstacles that put their lives at risk, including violent confrontations, car chases, and shootouts.

Throughout the movie, Vengeance also explores the themes of family, loyalty, and redemption. It is through Costello's character that the audience witnesses the pain and anger of losing loved ones, as well as the lengths individuals will go to avenge their family. The movie also touches on the realities of aging and the vulnerability that comes with it, as Costello experiences physical limitations during his mission.

The movie's cinematography is visually stunning, featuring scenes shot in natural light throughout the streets of Hong Kong. The use of color and lighting has been masterfully crafted to create a dark and intense atmosphere, complementing the movie's gritty and violent storyline. The actors' performances are equally magnificent, with Johnny Hallyday delivering a powerful and emotional portrayal of an anguished father seeking vengeance. The supporting actors, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong and Simon Yam, are equally impressive, bringing depth and nuance to their characters.

Overall, Vengeance is a thrilling and poignant movie, offering a unique perspective on the crime genre. It features well-crafted action sequences, an engaging storyline, and a cast of talented actors, making it a must-watch for fans of intense crime dramas. The movie is a testament to Johnnie To's directing abilities, and it serves as a reminder of his status as one of the leading filmmakers in the crime genre.

Vengeance is a 2009 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 76.