
Set in China during the warring 1920s, notorious bandit chief Zhang descends upon a remote provincial town posing as its new mayor, an identity that he had hijacked from Old Tang, himself a small-time imposter. Hell-bent on making a fast buck, Zhang soon meets his match in the tyrannical local gentry Huang as a deadly battle of wit and brutality ensues.... (Full plot summary below)
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Set in China during the warring 1920s, notorious bandit chief Zhang descends upon a remote provincial town posing as its new mayor, an identity that he had hijacked from Old Tang, himself a small-time imposter. Hell-bent on making a fast buck, Zhang soon meets his match in the tyrannical local gentry Huang as a deadly battle of wit and brutality ensues.
Leave your thoughts about Let the Bullets Fly.
| CNNRadioPaul ChambersFans of the genre may enjoy the bizarre humor. But, the story seemed never-ending to me. |
| Observer (UK)Philip FrenchIt's satire of sorts, but broad, confused, extremely talkative and interminable. |
| PopMattersChris BarsantiA genre-crossing Yojimbo-like satire ... rife with trickery, gamesmanship, and bloodshed |
| Slant MagazineSimon AbramsThe world of difference in tone and content between actor-turned-director Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly and his masterful Devils on the Doorstep can be seen in the former film's deceptively happy ending. |
| Village VoiceNick SchagerComedy and shifting-allegiances intrigue more than compensate for the dearth of rousing action in this 1920s-set film. |
| AV ClubAlison WillmoreThat dedicated wryness makes the endless twists and betrayals easier to process-these are awful people, but it's sure a lot of fun to watch them fight it out. |
| CinemalogueTodd JorgensonThe stylish direction of Wen Jiang helps to overcome some flaws in his convoluted screenplay. |
| Seattle TimesSoren AndersenJiang directs with great vigor, serving up plenty of blood and a lot of laughs as he turns his picture into a propulsive blast. |
| Chicago ReaderBen SachsThis period action comedy by Jiang Wen (Devils on the Doorstep) is great fun in the Shakespearean tradition, stuffed with lively characters, dramatic stand-offs, and stolen-identity subplots. |
| KPBS.orgBeth AccomandoThe real pleasure is seeing Chow and Jiang square off. Chow mugs for the camera with the same finesse as he handles guns in Woo's films. |