REVIEW - Vengeance (2009) ****

A French chef is in town cooking up a meal of revenge with some pissed off gravy and a double shot of bullets in Johnny To's Vengeance. His name is Costello, and after learning that his son in-law, and grandchildren are murdered and his daughter gravely wounded by the mafia, he swears vengeance by her hospital bed. Costello hires three hit-men to help track down those responsible.

Costello is played by Johnny Hallyday who is known as the "French Elvis." Alain Delon was originally to play the part of Costello but dropped out. Hallyday has a grizzled look and very few lines, but he conveys so much emotion through his eyes you get the feeling that any heavy dialogue would get in the way. In fact, the film as a whole has little dialogue. It uses nods by the characters, looks at one another filled with expression, and the landscape of the city to do the talking.

This is a remarkable piece of film-making, Johnny To clearly has the intention of bringing the audience through a chaotic series of events but the payoff is huge. Along the way we get plenty of action and one of the most creative gun-fights I have seen in some time, strike that, we get two of them. This film is dangerous. Do yourself a favor and see this one, then buy it, then watch it again and make it part of a double feature with Death Wish.

G