Li Yi's movies usually attract a lot of attention.
Even though "The Killer Isn't Too Cold" has not been released in mainland China, there are not a few fans and related filmmakers who pay the same attention to it.
On Hong Kong Island, because Li Yi was originally from Hong Kong Island, his every move naturally attracted much attention.
"This Killer Isn't Too Cold" set off a wave of discussion in Hong Kong Island.
Otherwise, it is because this movie is also classified as a police movie.
As for Hong Kong movies, when it comes to police and gangster movies, they are second to none. Even though Hong Kong movies have declined, police and gangster movies in Hong Kong are still unique.
Yes, this is still the case even now.
Qin Yuan, a well-known Hong Kong film critic and veteran of the Hong Kong Film Awards, wrote a film review "Director Li Yi teaches you how to make a police movie!"
""The Killer Is Not So Cold" is also known as "Killer Lyon". It is not difficult to see that this is a very special police film.
When it comes to police and gangster films, Hong Kong films have played a huge role in the history. Once upon a time, when it came to police and gangster films, Hong Kong police and gangster films could not be avoided.
But today, many of our old directors have almost forgotten how to create a successful police film. Although some young directors have made some more radical attempts, they are often thankless.
So how do you make a good police movie?
As the number one director in Hong Kong, the number one Chinese director, and a famous international director, Director Li Yi has taught us another lesson this time.
So what are the highlights, foreshadowings, presentations, and twists in the script of the movie "This Killer Is Not Too Cold"?
Let’s take this opportunity to come together!
The first is the promotional poster. The importance of publicity for a movie is self-evident. The poster design of "This Killer Is Not So Cold" is very interesting.
The main subject is a close-up of Leon, with round sunglasses, a high nose bridge, and a sexy beard, looking up at a 45-degree angle. It looks cool, doesn’t it?
When many of us are pursuing poster themes that highlight handsome men and beautiful women, we have overlooked an important point. The real attraction of a movie is always the story and characters, not the actors!
Because the story of the movie gives the character a new charm and connotation.
Judging from the poster, the role of Lyon is played by the famous Chinese actor Lin Yunbin, but here, he has changed from the image of a veteran cadre in the past, highlighting the image of a middle-aged uncle who is slightly cold, but not lacking in charm.
Even on the poster, his beard is so conspicuous.
But the only thing is that it is completely different from being "handsome" visually and with facial features!
Anyone who has watched the movie knows that this character has been given new connotations. He is Leon, the killer Leon, and is no longer the actor Lin Yunbin.
This point is very critical.
Especially for many viewers who don't know this actor, they pay more attention to the character rather than the actor!
Secondly, the title of the film!
The English translation should be "Killer Leon". The translation of "This Killer Is Not Too Cold" is more down-to-earth, looks more interesting, and vividly compares the characteristics of the protagonist. So I prefer the translation of "This Killer Is Not Too Cold"
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Again, the beginning of the film.
In terms of the structure of a movie, a film is either a flashback or a forward narration. "This Killer Isn't Too Cold" uses a forward sequence!
So for the main sequence of the film, the opening chapter usually explains the social background and character settings, including occupation, background, personality, etc.
The occupation of the protagonist in "This Killer Is Not So Cold" can be seen from the title of the film, and he is a killer.
So how to show the character of this killer?
He is a killer, but what kind of killer is he?
Therefore, the opening is very important, because the director needs to consider how to make the audience not bored through the opening.
Here, the method used by Director Li Yi is to arouse the audience's curiosity: the shots are full of close-ups, hands, milk, and sunglasses, so that the audience cannot see the whole picture.
A killer, his job is to kill people, but how to kill people?
The film begins with a wonderful assassination mission, leaving the audience with the desire to continue watching.
The three-dimensional composition of the staircase's rotation and repetition is used very well in the opening scene of this movie, and it is very consistent with the goal and purpose.
To be honest, it looks really beautiful, with a sense of orderly melody.
Then the killer Leon began to show his professional standards. It can be seen that his killing methods are very clever, and the purpose is to reflect Leon's professionalism and power.
This is undoubtedly a very clever arrangement, and of course, it is actually a technique used in many movies.
As a police film, shootouts are essential, but what about reality?
There are very few direct shots of gun battles in the film. As soon as the door is closed, gunshots are heard, and then the enemies are seen falling.
The true face of the killer cannot be seen clearly, and most of the opponents are killed or injured. This reflects Lyon's strength from the side and creates a sense of mystery and tension.
Of course, it's not good to be nervous all the time. This can easily make the audience too tense, so appropriate humor is also essential. But for movies, especially movies like "This Killer Isn't Too Cold", it is inherently
It's not humorous, so it can be humorous, but not too much.
The most memorable humorous scene is when the woman came out and saw Leon holding the fat man hostage with a knife, pretending to be calm and running away. Leon and the fat man looked confused, which was very interesting.
For many people, after reading this little humor, they will inevitably have some questions. As a killer, why did Leon kill other people? The audience is curious why he did not kill this woman alone?
When you have such an idea in your mind, then the director has succeeded, because he has successfully made Leon different from the image of a killer in everyone's impression.
Anyone who has watched the movie knows that the answer is revealed in the subsequent plot. Leon's principle is not to kill women and children.
Any wonderful movie always needs some special props.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! These props do not appear out of thin air or meaninglessly, but often carry the director's strong desire for expression, such as in "This Killer Isn't Too Cold"
Milk, potted plants, and sunglasses frequently appear inside!
First, let’s talk about milk. This prop is very important and is used throughout the entire film.
Leon was shopping downstairs in the rented house, and bought two boxes of milk as usual.
Logically speaking, a killer should drink alcohol by temperament.
In the film, Leon drinks milk every time, almost every day.
The setting of the movie is that Leon likes milk, which also reflects the cuteness and specialness of Leon.
Look, sometimes a suitable prop can be really useful, such as milk, which is a very common thing, but in the movie it becomes so extraordinary.
Very useful.
From a small perspective, Leon loves to drink milk. On the one hand, milk has high nutritional content and can make people strong, which is what Leon needs.
Professional needs!
At the same time, milk also distinguishes Leon from other killers. I think there are many killers who like to drink in movies in the past, but killers who like to drink milk and have always liked to drink milk stand out. I think
, so far it’s only Lyon, right?
Potted plants, green plants, agave.
This prop, along with milk, can be said to be the most prominent special props in the movie.
Special people always have special preferences.
Professional killers, some like good wine and beautiful women, some enjoy killing people, but there are also some who like to raise green plants.
In this regard, it is not that special to say it is special.
But when the plot gives this potted plant other meanings, it becomes completely different.
Just like the top in "Inception", it is also a symbolic prop.
The language of the lens is extremely complex. Why do many of our directors produce completely different effects with the same script?
Let's take a look at the appearance of the little girl Matilda!
When the director designed the shot, he slowly moved up from the soles of the feet, and finally saw the girl's face.
One is to slowly introduce the characters to the audience to arouse curiosity.
Second, show the girl's outfit.
Leather boots, printed stockings, printed jeans, a midriff-baring top, a drooping hollow braided jacket, a choker on her neck, crisp and refreshing short hair, a cigarette in her hand, and a girlish look.
She looks sexy and uninhibited, with a lazy and rebellious look in her eyebrows.
You can notice that Leon will care about the injuries on the little girl's face and will give her a towel to wipe her nosebleed.
It shows that he is actually very warm, not too cold, while girls have unfortunate childhoods.
Of course, what I like more is the details of life shown by the director.
There are not many scenes depicted, but they are very well done.
When Leon was taking a shower, at this time, he was able to enjoy a moment of tranquility, showing a tired look on his face.
Next to the rotating fan, Leon taps the cup in boredom. This shot is nothing special, but it makes the originally boring scene interesting.
Single man, ironing his clothes, keeping alert, sitting in a chair and sleeping with a pistol beside him!
Go watch a movie alone during the day.
These shots seem simple and orderly. Through these shots, the audience can understand that the killer's life is boring and lonely.
A killer who kills without changing his expression and has strong professional abilities is actually very lonely and empty inside.
The portrayal of the male and female protagonists is undoubtedly the highlight, but in my opinion, the most brilliant thing that Director Li Yi created in this movie is not the male and female protagonists, but the villain!
The villain Stan!
This character will definitely go down in the history of movie villains!
What is his occupation? Is he a police officer or a DEA police officer?
What is his job function? It is to arrest drug-related criminals.
But he is a complete villain.
But why is this villain so memorable?
Because this is not a stereotyped villain, it once again proves how much a well-created villain can improve a movie!
He is a crazy and complex villain. He has many characteristics that are different from other people, and even different from many villains. These characteristics make him stand out from many villains at once.
1. Smell the scent of others to identify whether they are lying.
2. Taking medicine and having weird orgasmic reaction.
3. Very punctual and like music.
4. Killing is like child’s play, you look like you are enjoying it!
5. When you get shot, you are only angry about your suit!
This kind of behavior creates a neurotic villain that makes people shudder.
Stan is both a DEA and an evil force that sells drugs and takes drugs, which is ironic.
It’s also worth mentioning the scene comparison!
Movies usually need to set up, then advance, and then explode!
The most unique scene contrast in the cinema: the calm before the storm and the hustle and bustle of the rainstorm become a strong contrast.
The first thing the movie shows is the warm interaction between Matilda and her brother, and the quiet daily life of the little girl's family, that is, tranquility.
Then a heavy rain is coming, and the way these black police henchmen appear is very interesting!
One by one, they walked through the corridor and entered the venue. It looked like a catwalk show...
Then there was a seamless connection, the storm was coming, and there was a hustle and bustle:
My mother and sister were shot to death mercilessly!
The men were frightened by their own men and fell into pieces, while the villain Stan Ru strolled around.
One is to create a tense atmosphere, which looks a bit funny.
The second is to contrast the nervousness of his subordinates with the calmness of Bad Sheriff Stan, highlighting his sophistication and ruthlessness.
The storm breaks out again:
The men were about to insert the knife into the mattress, and the child was hiding under the bed, creating a tense atmosphere.
The audience's hearts suddenly rose to their throats.
The moment the knife went down, gunshots rang out, children ran wildly, and machine guns fired...
The knife is like a trigger, causing all the firecrackers behind to explode. The design is very mysterious.
The director did not give a clear shot of the child being shot to death. The audience learned about it from the conversation of his subordinates later.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Then there is the scene of the girl crying and knocking on the door.
Leon kept hesitating while the Sheriff's men watched from behind, creating a tense atmosphere.
The audience is worried about the girl.
And Lyon is also faced with a choice.
At that time, the girl's face was shrouded in shadow.
The door opened and the light illuminated the girl's face
It is a metaphor that the girl seems to be illuminated by the light of an angel, and her helpless and dark heart is illuminated!
This is a very important scene contrast. Of course, it is also a commonly used contrast between haze and light in movies.
Then there is the presentation of information.
Inside the house, Leon's conversation with the girl gives us some information.
This method is very common, but it is indispensable because the length of the movie is limited. Don’t underestimate this kind of presentation, because there is a need to know when to show it and when to show it.
Matilda had a simple conversation with Leon at the beginning, but there was no conversation showing the background information of the two people. Why?
Because at that time, there was no need, they were just neighbors, nothing more.
But this time, it was different.
The information presented is also very critical. The little girl hates her sister and parents, loves her younger brother very much, and only cries for her dead brother. The little girl’s sister has the same father as her, and the mother who was killed is actually the stepmother, and the girl’s younger brother is the stepmother.
The characters of the girl's birth, parents and sister are not what the audience likes, so it is more in line with the audience's wishes to clarify the relationship between the girl and them.
Why is this killer not too cold?
Leon used pig gloves to make the girl happy, which shows that this killer is indeed not too cold.
Leon originally wanted to kill the little girl who knew the secret in the middle of the night, but finally gave up!
It can be seen here that Leon does have a principle: not to kill women and children.
And the grenade tab, remember?
In fact, when Leon took Matilda on the mission, there was already a foreshadowing!