Two Asian Blokes

Na Hong-jin has returned with Hope - a uniquely Korean interpretation of a big alien spectacle blockbuster.

The director behind The Chaser, The Yellow Sea and The Wailing has made something considerably bigger, louder and more… fun? than his previous films. Hope is an alien invasion action thriller with a surprisingly blockbuster-sized ambition, a bunch of very funny characters, plenty of Korean swearing, some impressive practical effects and some pretty questionable CGI.

We watched Hope in 4DX, while Thavy also experienced it in IMAX, so naturally we had to discuss whether being physically thrown around by your cinema chair makes an already ridiculous movie even better.

But underneath all the aliens, explosions and questionable digital creatures, what do we actually think of Hope? We talk about the performances from Hwang Jung-min, Jung Ho-yeon and Jo In-sung, the personality of the film, Na Hong-jin's very different approach to blockbuster filmmaking, and whether Hope has anything deeper going on beneath all the chaos.

We also discuss the curious amount of attention given to the film's Western stars, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, and whether the international media focus on them really reflects what makes this movie interesting.

And yes… we talk about the CGI.

So where does Hope rank alongside The Chaser, The Yellow Sea and The Wailing in Na Hong-jin's small but highly regarded filmography?

Let's discuss.

SPOILERS BEGIN AT 35:23.

TIMECODES

00:00 The Start (Thavy's Back!)
 03:52 Hope — Spoiler-Free Review
 05:11 The Synopsis (Aliens!)
 07:32 The Actors — Ho-yeon, Jung-min & In-sung
 09:22 Na Hong-jin's Previous Works
 11:45 The Funny Characters
 13:27 The Practical Effects
 14:58 The 4DX Experience
 17:26 The Critical Response
 22:23 The Swearing
 24:30 The CGI Monsters
 27:08 Just a Fun Movie… or Something More?
 29:19 Is a Sequel in the Works?
 31:52 Better Than Avatar?
 35:23 SPOILERS BEGIN
 1:10:28 Final Thoughts

Have you seen Hope? Let us know where you think it ranks among Na Hong-jin's films — and whether the CGI really is as questionable as we think.

Subscribe to Two Asian Blokes for more reviews and discussions about Asian cinema, Korean movies, Hong Kong action, martial arts films, anime, Asian pop culture and whatever else we've decided to spend two hours arguing about.

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#Hope #NaHongJin #KoreanCinema #KoreanMovies #HwangJungMin #JungHoYeon #JoInSung #MichaelFassbender #AliciaVikander #TwoAsianBlokes

In Part 2 of our interview with James Pax, we’re putting some of the biggest martial arts and action stars of the 70s, 80s and 90s into a tier list - and James is not holding back.

You probably know James Pax best as Lightning from Big Trouble in Little China, but that’s just one chapter of a career spanning more than 40 years. James has worked as an actor and filmmaker across the US, Hong Kong, China and Japan, and has been studying martial arts since childhood. Along the way, he’s worked on film sets with some of the very people we’re talking about here, giving him a perspective on martial arts cinema that you simply don’t get from watching the movies alone.

So what does James really think of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Michelle Yeoh, Wesley Snipes, Jason Statham, Tony Jaa, Donnie Yen, Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee?

There’s plenty of love for some of these legends. There are a few surprises. From breaking of contracts to on-set rudeness, James has some industry stories and behind-the-scenes insight that might make you look at some of your favourite action stars a little differently.

Whether you grew up on Hong Kong action cinema, 80s martial arts movies, 90s action stars or just love a good old-fashioned Tier List argument, this one is for you.

TIMECODES

00:00 The Start
00:47 Jackie Chan
01:12 Jet Li
05:26 Jean-Claude Van Damme
06:26 Sammo Hung
11:39 Morgan Freeman
15:49 Yuen Biao
16:48 Keanu Reeves
18:54 Michelle Yeoh
20:23 Wesley Snipes
21:36 Jason Statham
25:26 Tony Jaa
27:46 Donnie Yen
32:29 Chuck Norris
34:28 Bruce Lee
36:22 James Pax

Want to hear more from James??

James Pax will be appearing LIVE at the Astor Theatre on November 21st for a special Big Trouble in Little China 40th Anniversary event, featuring a screening, Q&A and the opportunity to meet James in person.

Tickets are available now:
https://kungfulegends.com/australia

ABOUT TWO ASIAN BLOKES

Two Asian Blokes is an Australian podcast and YouTube channel shining a spotlight on Asian cinema and pop culture through a uniquely Asian-Australian lens. We talk Hong Kong action, martial arts movies, Asian films and TV, Hollywood's attempts at Asian cinema, and pretty much anything else we can find an excuse to talk about.

Subscribe to Two Asian Blokes:
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Got a film, interview, collaboration or general nonsense you want to send our way?

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @twoasianblokes
YouTube: @twoasianblokes

#JamesPax #MartialArts #MartialArtsMovies #JackieChan #JetLi #BruceLee #DonnieYen #MichelleYeoh #HongKongCinema #ActionMovies #BigTroubleInLittleChina #TwoAsianBlokes

Video version -- https://youtu.be/r6Cf1JA97zE

James Pax AKA Lightning from Big Trouble in Little China joins us once again, this time to break down four of his most iconic characters including his roles in Big Trouble in Little China, The Heroic Trio, Remains of a Woman, and Nasty Boys.

Don't miss the upcoming double screening of Big Trouble in Little China and The Heroic Trio at the Astor Theatre in Melbourne on Saturday November 21st.

Tickets and info: https://kungfulegends.com/australia

00:00 About James Pax
05:11 Big Trouble in Little China LIGHTNING
11:57 The Heroic Trio THE PROFESSOR
17:38 Remains of a Woman BILLY CHAN
25:22 Nasty Boys JIMMY KEE

Don't miss Part 2 where James helps us put some of the best martial arts actors of all time into a tier list, while dishing out some tea at the same time.

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🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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#bigtroubleinlittlechina #theheroictrio #hongkongmovie #johncarpenter

In this episode of Two Asian Blokes we finally get around to reviewing The Furious - one of our most anticipated films of this year.

The Furious is a HK produced martial arts film, directed by Japanese director Kenji Tanigaki, with action direction from Kensuke Sonomura, and an international cast - Xie Miao (Hunt the Wicked), Joe Taslim (The Night Comes for Us), Joey Iwanaga (Baby Assassins 2), Yayan Ruhian (The Raid) and Brian Le (Everything, Everywhere, All at Once). Filmed in Thailand by a predominantly Thai film crew and a Japanese stunt crew, this movie blends all flavours of Asian action cinema into one beautiful and adrenaline-fueled package.

Despite the movie being predominantly in English, this movie inexplicably did not get an Australian cinema release, much to our frustration.

However, let me tell you - The Furious was worth the wait. If you are a fan of action cinema and martial arts cinema, you've probably already watched it and developed your opinions.

But here are our thoughts.

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00:00 The Start
04:09 The Furious spoiler review
10:11 Good to see JeeJa Yanin
13:57 Sonomura's action
16:39 Some criticisms
22:38 JeeJa's fight and the abduction
26:48 The club fight
31:12 Joe Taslim vs Xie Miao
33:01 Brian Le vs Joe and Xie
36:15 The Snake Pit
41:30 The Royal Rumble
47:46 Joe Taslim's revenge
52:43 The final showdown
56:33 Final thoughts

💬 What did you think of The Furious?

📩 Email us: [email protected]

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#thefurious #martialarts #actionmovies #kungfu #martialartsmovies #moviereview 

🎬 JAMES PAX IS COMING TO MELBOURNE!

On Saturday, August 29, James Pax - aka Lightning from Big Trouble in Little China - is bringing a special retrospective double feature to The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, featuring Big Trouble in Little China (1986) and The Heroic Trio (1993).

The event includes live Q&As, meet & greet opportunities, autograph sessions and VIP experiences with James.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now:
https://kungfulegends.com/australia

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW — WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE ASTOR!

In this special episode of Two Asian Blokes, Danh and Thavy sit down with James Pax to talk about his incredible career across Hollywood and Hong Kong cinema.

Watch the video -- https://youtu.be/y576tOCi3_c

James takes us behind the scenes of Big Trouble in Little China, including his experience playing Lightning, working with director John Carpenter, and what it was like working alongside Kurt Russell.

We also dive into The Heroic Trio, James' experience working in Hong Kong compared with Hollywood, and his thoughts on the golden era of Hong Kong action cinema.

James also shares his favourite martial arts movies, his thoughts on what makes a film become a cult classic, and his approach to action choreography after decades of working in the genre.

Finally, we talk about James' upcoming action film Vortex, where he steps behind the camera as director and brings his experience from Hollywood and Asian cinema into his latest project.

If you're a fan of Big Trouble in Little China, The Heroic Trio, Hong Kong action movies, martial arts cinema, John Carpenter, Michelle Yeoh, cult movies or classic action films, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Lightning is coming to Australia!
03:52 James talks Big Trouble in Little China
16:21 James talks The Heroic Trio
28:04 James talks Vortex
33:36 James' upcoming Melbourne retrospective

🎬 JAMES PAX RETROSPECTIVE — MELBOURNE

📅 Saturday, August 29
📍 The Astor Theatre, Melbourne
🎞️ Big Trouble in Little China + The Heroic Trio
🎤 Live Q&A with James Pax
🤝 Meet & Greet
⭐ VIP Experiences

🎟️ Tickets & information:
https://kungfulegends.com/australia 

Two Asian Blokes is a podcast celebrating Asian cinema, Asian representation and the movies we love, from Hong Kong action classics to Hollywood blockbusters and everything in between.

If you enjoyed the episode, like, subscribe and let us know in the comments what your favourite James Pax performance is.

#JamesPax #BigTroubleInLittleChina #TheHeroicTrio #HongKongCinema #MartialArtsMovies #JohnCarpenter #CultMovies #ActionMovies #TwoAsianBlokes

We're wrapping up John Woo-LY 2026 with what many consider to be the definitive John Woo film: The Killer (1989).

This isn't just another great Hong Kong action movie. It's arguably the purest expression of John Woo's creative vision—the film where he had almost complete artistic control from start to finish, refining everything that made him one of the most influential action directors of all time. Heroic Bloodshed. Dual pistols. Slow motion. Brotherhood. Betrayal. White doves. It's all here.

And it's an absolute banger.

In fact, The Killer is so good that we felt it deserved its own dedicated episode, even though we already talked about it while reviewing John Woo's 2024 American remake. (Let's just pretend that one never happened.)

Starring Chow Yun-fat as the legendary assassin Ah Jong alongside Danny Lee and Sally Yeh in her final film role, The Killer follows a hitman determined to make amends after accidentally blinding an innocent nightclub singer during one of his assignments. As rival gangs, corrupt cops, and old loyalties begin to close in around him, the lines between hero and villain become increasingly blurred.

In this review, we discuss John Woo's love of French cinema, his famously unconventional filmmaking process, the influence of The Killer on action cinema around the world, the film's exploration of honour, loyalty, and redemption, and why many still regard it as the greatest Heroic Bloodshed film ever made.

Is The Killer not only John Woo's masterpiece, but one of the greatest action films ever made?

If you enjoy movie reviews, Hong Kong cinema, action films, and Asian pop culture, check out our weekly podcast, Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about films, TV, and vaguely Asian stuff.

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00 The Killer (1989) – The Original Masterpiece
01:34 John Woo's Love of French Cinema
03:06 The Killer Plot Overview
04:37 Sally Yeh's Final Film Role
05:47 John Woo's Wild Filmmaking Process
08:13 The Unusual Musical Choices
09:55 The Most John Woo Film Ever Made?
12:49 Hong Kong vs Hollywood Filmmaking
14:11 Brotherhood, Loyalty & Betrayal
15:36 The Villain
17:13 Blurring the Moral Lines
19:20 John Woo's Philosophy
21:33 The Tragic Ending

💬 What do you think of The Killer? Is this John Woo's greatest film, or do you prefer A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, Bullet in the Head, or another classic?

📩 Email us: [email protected]

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss movies, anime, and pop culture.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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#TheKiller #JohnWoo #ChowYunFat #HongKongCinema #HeroicBloodshed #MovieReview

Next up on John Woo-LY 2026 is Hard Target (1993), John Woo's explosive first foray into Hollywood. And who better to help introduce Woo to the American film industry than the all-American action hero of the '90s... Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Hard Target is widely regarded as the first major Hollywood studio film directed by a Chinese—and more broadly, an Asian—director. Universal reportedly had concerns about whether Woo could direct a big-budget American production with his limited English, but he answered those doubts the only way he knew how: with slow-motion doves, flying motorcycles, dual pistols, ridiculous explosions, and enough John Woo style to make Hard Target stand out among the sea of '90s action movies.

The film follows Chance Boudreaux, a Cajun drifter who finds himself in the crosshairs of an international human-hunting syndicate led by the wonderfully theatrical Emil Fouchon, played by Lance Henriksen. Unfortunately for them, Chance turns out to be a considerably harder target than advertised.

In this review, we discuss John Woo's transition from Hong Kong cinema to Hollywood, Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance, the villains, the action choreography, the unmistakable "John Woo-isms" that survived the move to America, and whether Hard Target still ranks among the best action films of the 1990s.

Say what you will about Van Damme... the man can wear the heck out of a mullet.

If you enjoy movie reviews, Hong Kong cinema, action films, and Asian pop culture, check out our weekly podcast, Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about films, TV, and vaguely Asian stuff.

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00 John Woo's First Hollywood Film
01:34 How John Woo Came to Hollywood
03:44 Hard Target Plot Overview
06:30 New Orleans, Jean-Claude Van Damme & The Mullet
09:13 Emil Fouchon & The Villains
11:13 Classic John Woo Style in Hollywood
16:27 Action, Stunts & Explosions
19:40 The Incredible Final Act

💬 What do you think of Hard Target? Is it John Woo's best Hollywood movie, or do you prefer Face/Off, Broken Arrow, or Mission: Impossible II?

📩 Email us: [email protected]

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss movies, anime, and pop culture.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @twoasianblokes

#HardTarget #JohnWoo #JeanClaudeVanDamme #90sAction #MovieReview

We're continuing John Woo-LY 2026 with perhaps the strangest film in John Woo's entire filmography.

Heroes Shed No Tears (1984) wasn't a passion project. It was a movie made out of contractual obligation, shelved for two years by its production company, and only released after the enormous success of A Better Tomorrow turned John Woo into one of Hong Kong cinema's hottest directors. It's safe to say this is the John Woo film he would probably rather you forgot.

The film follows a group of mercenaries on a mission deep into hostile territory to rescue a powerful crime lord. What begins as a straightforward military operation quickly descends into a chaotic survival story filled with relentless action, jungle warfare, and some of the most unexpectedly unhinged tonal shifts you'll ever see in an action movie.

In this review, we discuss the film's bizarre production history, its blend of action, comedy, and shocking violence, whether traces of the classic "John Woo touch" are already beginning to emerge, and if there's a genuinely good movie buried beneath the rushed production.

It's messy. It's weird. It occasionally feels like three different films stitched together. But is there still something worth discovering in one of John Woo's most overlooked movies?

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⏱️ **Chapters**

00:00 Why John Woo Wants to Forget This Movie
01:06 Heroes Shed No Tears – First Impressions
03:22 Big Guns, Tiny Handcuffs & Pure Chaos
09:10 Comedy, Horror & Extreme Violence
12:40 The Infamous Love Shack Scene
15:49 Eye for an Eye – The Film's Brutality
18:59 Weak Characters or Missed Potential?
20:36 Is Heroes Shed No Tears Worth Watching?

💬 What do you think of Heroes Shed No Tears? Is it an underrated John Woo film, or one best left forgotten?

📩 Email us: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss movies, anime, and pop culture.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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#HeroesShedNoTears #JohnWoo #HongKongCinema #ActionMovies #MovieReview

Welcome to John Woo-LY 2026, where for the month of July we're celebrating the legendary director of Hong Kong action cinema, John Woo. Every week we'll be revisiting one of his defining films and asking the important questions: do they still hold up, and where do they rank in one of cinema's greatest filmographies?

We're kicking things off with A Better Tomorrow (1986), the film that launched John Woo into stardom and popularised the Heroic Bloodshed subgenre. If you've ever wondered where slow-motion gunfights, dual pistols, and tragic bromances came from, this is a very good place to start.

Starring the holy trinity of Hong Kong cinema - Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, and Chow Yun-fat as the legendary Mark Gor - and developed by the dynamic duo of Tsui Hark and John Woo (before the falling out), A Better Tomorrow has everything: melodrama, two-gun action, unforgettable one-liners, and enough brotherly angst to power an entire decade of action movies.

The story follows Ho, a triad gangster who, after serving three years in prison, tries to leave his criminal past behind and reconcile with his younger brother Kit, who is a police officer. But when old loyalties come calling, Ho is forced to choose between the brother he fought beside and the brother he wants back.

In this review, we discuss the cast, the state of 1980s Hong Kong cinema, Chow Yun-fat's controversial casting, the morality of Heroic Bloodshed, the emotional core of the story, and why A Better Tomorrow remains one of the most influential action films ever made.

Is this John Woo's greatest film?

If you enjoy movie reviews, film analysis, Hong Kong cinema, and Asian pop culture, check out our weekly podcast, Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about films, TV, and vaguely Asian stuff.

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction – Welcome to John Woo-LY 2026
01:40 Is A Better Tomorrow John Woo's Best Film?
03:10 The Cast & 1980s Hong Kong Cinema
06:48 Why Chow Yun-fat Was a Controversial Choice
08:12 A Better Tomorrow Plot Overview
10:45 The Morality of Heroic Bloodshed
12:50 Family, Loyalty & Brotherhood
16:30 The Emotional Conflict & Heartbreak
18:34 Why the Action Still Holds Up Today
20:30 The Iconic Final Gunfight
23:06 A very personal movie

💬 What do you think of A Better Tomorrow? Is it John Woo's finest film, or do you prefer The Killer, Hard Boiled, Bullet in the Head, or another classic?

Let us know in the comments, or contact us at [email protected]

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🎧 Find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
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#ABetterTomorrow #JohnWoo #ChowYunFat #HongKongCinema #HeroicBloodshed #MovieReview

Two Asian Blokes Podcast returns with a review of one of our most anticipated South Korean films of the year: Colony.

From director Yeon Sang-ho, the filmmaker behind Train to Busan, Colony assembles an incredible cast including Jun Ji-hyun, Ji Chang-wook, Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Hyun-been, and Go Soo for some sticky zombie action. Expectations were high... perhaps dangerously high.

In this episode, we discuss what worked, what didn't, and whether Colony is able to set itself apart from Yeon Sang-ho's much-loved magnum opus. 

We also spend some time talking about one of our favourite recurring features of South Korean cinema: deliciously unlikeable bureaucrats. Whether they're covering things up, making catastrophically bad decisions, or confidently marching everyone towards disaster, Korean films have a remarkable talent for making government officials spectacularly frustrating. We discuss how Colony fits into that tradition and whether its portrayal of bureaucracy reflects broader anxieties about institutions and public trust.

Is Colony the next great South Korean genre film, or does it struggle to escape the shadow of Train to Busan?

Whether you're a fan of Korean cinema, science fiction, creature features, or Yeon Sang-ho's unique brand of social commentary, we've got you covered.

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00:00 Introduction – Thavy Got High and Watched Obsession
08:20 Hope Interview Controversy – Forgetting the Korean Actors
12:26 Colony (2025) Spoiler-Free Review
15:32 Colony Plot & Sci-Fi Premise
18:22 Sticky Zombies? Hive Mind Creatures Explained
20:11 Colony Cast & Character Performances
24:04 South Korean Bureaucracy & Social Commentary
25:43 Colony vs Train to Busan – Which Is Better?
29:15 Final Verdict – Is Colony Worth Watching?
31:19 Colony Spoiler Discussion

💬 What did you think of Colony? Do you like sticky zombies?

📩 Email us: [email protected]

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss movies, anime, and pop culture.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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#Colony #YeonSangHo #TrainToBusan #KoreanCinema #MovieReview  #연상호 #부산행 #전지현 #지창욱 #구교환 #신현빈 #고수 #콜로니