John Woo Returns to His Action Roots with Manhunt (Trailer)

John Woo is one of the undisputed Masters of Action but after the diminishing returns of his American output in the early 2000’s, he retreated back to Hong Kong and made historical epics like Red Cliff and The Crossing but Woo seems to be going back to the genre that made him famous with the police action thriller Manhunt.  Starring Zhang Hanyu as a prosecutor wrongfully accused of murder, robbery and rape, he goes on the run with a detective, played by Masaharu Fukuyama, hot on his heels.  Qi Wei and Ha Ji Won co-star and it looks like all of Woo’s trademarks are back in full force including dual wielding pistols, slow-motion, doves, a jet ski chase that seems right out of Face Off and more. The only thing missing is Chow Yun Fat, which sidebar, what has he been up to lately? The movie is showing at the 74th Venice Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival and then will hit Chinese theaters in February next year, with hopefully a western release shortly thereafter.  Check out the trailer below.