Ever consider whether the most accomplished directors in Hollywood share a mutual admiration for one another? Amidst this mutual reverence, we recently learned about a fascinating anecdote: The acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker & master of intense action, John Woo, once declared his adoration for the legendary Martin Scorsese.
With a career that has lit up theaters with films like Mission: Impossible 2 and A Better Tomorrow, Woo’s admiration for Scorsese’s work goes beyond rivalry, allowing viewers to delve into a moving homage given in the former’s classic film The Killer. Despite receiving positive reviews for its lavish style and action scenes, this 1989 masterwork did not openly succeed in Hong Kong but went on to win over critics all over the world.
The Killer: A Cinematic Homage to Martin Scorsese, by John Woo
John Woo, the iconic director known for his action-packed films such as The Killer and Face/Off, once made headlines when he confessed his love for legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Woo revealed that he paid tribute to the Goodfellas director in his own 1989 classic, The Killer and shared that he has learned a great deal from Scorsese’s films.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Woo, one of the major figures in Hong Kong cinema, expressed his admiration for Scorsese’s way of filmmaking, adding:
In ‘The Killer’ [1989], I tried to pay tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville and Martin Scorsese because I love them so much and I have learned so much from their films.
We know that prominent directors like Scorsese and Woo occupy the highest rungs of the Hollywood production hierarchy. But one name that sticks out in the action genre is John Woo. Meanwhile, he does have some opinions that may differ from those of the audience.
Specifically, Woo once discussed how much he detested superhero flicks in general. In his opinion, the films are less about fatigue and more about the genre in which they portray themselves. More than what cinema has evolved into, it is about his passion for far older forms of film.
The Timeless Appeal of ‘Real Cinema’: Insights from John Woo
John Woo spoke candidly about his thoughts on heavily special effects-heavy films in an interview with The New York Times. He believed that anything that was adapted from comic books would never really win his heart:
I’ve never liked watching movies with big special effects, or anything based on comic books. I prefer Martin Scorsese’s movies, that kind of cinema. I can’t wait to watch ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’ I like old-fashioned movies, you know? Real cinema. There aren’t many movies like that lately.
Woo found visual pleasure in projects similar to those directed by Martin Scorsese. There was a mutual understanding between them because they were both fans of old movies. He felt more in tune with Scorsese’s films because of this, in particular.
Despite their differences in style and approach, Woo and Scorsese share a common passion for cinema and a deep respect for one another’s work. By paying tribute to Scorsese in The Killer, Woo not only honored a filmmaking legend but also showcased his own appreciation for the art of storytelling.
Thus, with John Woo’s bold stance on special effects and his preference for “real cinema” mirroring Scorsese’s thoughtful storytelling, it’s clear that behind every Mission Impossible lies a mission of passionate homage that many fans may have overlooked.
