Throw Down marks To's tribute to Kurosawa

Louis Koo in Throw Down.jpg

Johnnie To’s Throw Down is an intended homage to Japanese cinema legend Akira Kurosawa. To’s 2004 film has now been re-released and arrives on Blu-ray for the first time courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.

Kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, Ran) is a stunning filmmaker whose work has inspired and filtered through to the very blood-work of so many major directors all over the world, from John Sturges to Sergio Leone, Takeshi Miike and Walter Hill. In short, his legacy, influence and stylish aesthetic truly lives on.

Taking notes from Kurosawa’s playbook (namely his first film, 1943’s Sugata Sanshiro), Throw Down follows former Judo legend Szeto Bo (Louis Koo, Paradox, Drug War) who has given up on the sport and lives the messy life of an alcoholic gambler running a bar. An eager Judo young-blood named Tony (Aaron Kwok, Cold War, The Detective) shows up, challenges him and begins following him around, with little interest reciprocated. Meanwhile, an old adversary from the mats (Tony Leung Ka Fai, Election, Ashes of Time), gatecrashes too and demands Szeto finish a match that never took place. Slowly, this low-key bar reluctantly transforms into an arena where old scores will be settled.

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Released on Blu-ray for the first time from a new 4K restoration, this release includes:

  • Limited Edition O-Card slipcase

  • 1080p presentation on Blu-ray, from a stunning 4K restoration

  • Cantonese and English audio options

  • Optional English subtitles

  • Brand new and exclusive feature-length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)

  • Audio commentary by Hong Kong film expert Ric Meyers

  • Interview with director Johnnie To (40 mins)

  • Making of Throw Down featurette

  • Theatrical trailer and TV spots

  • Reversible sleeve

  • Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film

Director Johnnie To (Mad Detective, Election, Exiled), is a master in his own right and his offbeat shifts and gear-changes between action, drama, comedy and romance have always been refreshing. This makes his cinematic output perhaps the most eclectic and interesting in modern Hong Kong cinema.

However, while Throw Down is a visually electric picture - with elegant and surgically explosive Judo-centric fights against a neon backdrop - this one misses the mark a little. As a result, the weaker dramatics feel less engaging than many of To’s other films. Louis Koo, always a likeable actor, is playing a drunken mess who quit his sport to just-about run a bar, but looks exactly the same as he always does - handsome, clean shaven and well dressed - only drunkenly staggering around to illustrate his character.

Throw Down fight.jpg

While it’s undoubtedly stylised, it may have created more investment by focusing on the dramatic side, namely the main character’s struggles, overcoming high stakes and his redemption, which may have enhanced the pay-off from some beautifully shot action and chase scenes.

Nonetheless, while this subjectively may not feel like the strongest, most impactful work from To’s cannon, it’s a visually engaging, entertaining and “classical” action drama. It also demonstrates yet again how the grace and power of Kurosawa has infused popular culture and filmmaking, and why Johnnie To is one of the most inventive filmmakers of his own generation. As always, this stunning release from Eureka presents the film better than ever, with its lavish cinematography being a big highlight in the restoration, and a selection of great materials and content for any fan of Johnnie To and Hong Kong cinema.

Throw Down is out now from Eureka Entertainment

Mike Fury