MovieChat Forums > Knock Off (1998) Discussion > A prime example of the 'good' moviemakin...

A prime example of the 'good' moviemaking.

posted 19 years ago by unmadebed
9 replies | jump to latest

This is just one of the most extremely pushed ahead of their time films that it seems very easy today proclaiming that we're just talking about the new example of the essentially good moviemaking 10-15 years from now. Everything, and i mean every the most imponderable thing here is a cynicism of the highest order, up to the breaking point of metaphysical symbolism, conceptual philosophy and self-parody. From the editing, characters, dialogues, action, camera angles to the movie title, plot logic, everything is probably the most distinctive, boldest cliché ever known to man or put on celluloid, which systematically makes this movie a great "comedy" and immensely funny. The film just makes fun of every known obsolete trend or the human preconception and conviction of the good moviemaking. Paradoxically, it actually seriously shows the marginal direction of the world cinema in general - lots of artistic aspects in the cinema are constantly becoming very trite and cliché, and ironically the artists are losing any new ideas and the overall originality -- what is the obvious attempt of "this" film is to radically show us the mirror of ourselves, or our society and ever-changing mentality - that's what's so extremely funny in this film: that how self-delusional our modern civilization seems to be. The films are not just about certain originality as so many people think so today; in this case, Knock Off is also probably the best (hilarious) example for young filmmakers how to make an enjoyable film even out of the most obsolete aspects of the modern cinema.

[–] jlcurtis321 19 years ago

I totally agree with you!

As it looks like, the director Hark Tsui turned the whole conventions upside down, he did a complete antithesis to the current social ideals and values, in short, what people were actually considering a good movie. I absolutely believe that Tsui Hark's pure intention from the very beginning was just to do a comedy by fashioning the film's style in order to look like a counterfeit, like a bad stinking piece of crap. The problem is that he obviously didn't realize that the public in the late 90's was still not as sophisticated and cynical just to "get" the whole joke implied in this film - that's why this movie failed at the audience. I very much agree when you say that this is exactly what makes this movie a brilliant comedy. People never should have taken this film seriously. It's not so much a comedy by what happens IN the film, the comedy is THE film as a whole, the film is a pure joke. The problem of the audience was that they didn't get it because they didn't know how to watch it. The problem of the movie was that it was too much ahead of its time. Now it's becoming a cult classic and Van Damme's best. Go figure.

Seriously, look at this film today once again after those years, you'll love this classic! It's already one of the best innovative comedies i've ever seen in my life, because i never before realized myself that this can also be the way how to make a funny film. It's so extremely weird that at the end you "know" this film was just making fun of itself (or maybe of Hollywood). That's also where "Double Team" failed, that film tried to be deep or what, bah. Therefore, i'm very glad Hark tried it once again with Van Damme and at last succeeded as he wanted. Even though, almost ten years later. Whatever. This film is good just because of its intentional parody. Double Team is bad as a film because it's a pure nonsense that sometimes is taking itself seriously and is not even funny. A complete antithesis to this hilarious baby!

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] the_negotiator-1 18 years ago

they should show 'knock off' at films schools - without a doubt it is the ultimate iconoclastic action movie wrapped up very neatly in 'b' movie action packaging - it takes all the conventions (which Tsui Hark & John Woo made 'standard' during the 80s) and turns it on its head...this is counter-intelligence film making in the highest order so ridiculously smart that it goes full circle and appears 'dumb'...

...true movie fans that understand & appreciate the medium without the cocooned pretension that often comes part and parcel with the 'wannabe filmmaker' crowd...

even the title is a sly wink at the audience!! - excellent film making Tsui Hark is awesome!!!

[–] maturity 18 years ago

I have always loved this movie, and considered it a true guilty pleasure - like Andy Sidaris movies. The gonzo camera-work and transitions take this to another level. Tsui Hark's other movies are crap. This is Van Damme's best movie, and I love how it turns all of the conventions on their head. The fights are good, in and of themselves. Most people didn't get the joke. The film is a knock off. It knocks off every action movie cliché, then raises it to another level. It's not dumb at all. It's parodying the dumbness of other movies and Van Damme's acting persona. Glad to see some other people who appreciate this movie.

[–] faifai0714 18 years ago

Good filmmaking? Are you guys kidding me? Showing it to film school? lolol You folks are really funny.

[–] maturity 18 years ago

Did you actually read the thread? Nobody is saying it's "good" film-making in a conventional sense. It's an assault on conventional film-making. I hate JCVD in general, but I loved this. I see it as gonzo film-making and a satire of action movies. It's ludicrous and surreal. You have to approach it the right way. Like all movies, it's not for everyone.

[–] allrightreserved 12 years ago

"Tsui Hark's other movies are crap"

You just went too far.

[–] maturity 12 years ago

Maybe you're right, I've only seen a few movies Tsui Hark directed or produced, like Double Team and the Black Mask films. I found them very cheesey and poorly edited or dubbed. I've heard he directed some good stuff. He produced John Woo's "The Killer" and "A Better Tomorrow," which are pretty good.

[–] Cognoscente (2714) 2 years ago

Tsui Hark puts Wong Kar-Wai to shame with this movie.