JohnWoo
Latest
How Mission Impossible made the leap to 4K and HDR
Mission Impossible is an unusual film franchise. It's spanned more than 22 years and five directors, each bringing his own distinctive touch to Tom Cruise's increasingly over-the-top escapades. Brian De Palma's 1996 film, which kicked off the series, hearkens back to classic '70s conspiracy thrillers while John Woo's Mission Impossible 2 is pure '90s action blockbuster excess, complete with dueling motorcycles, elaborate shootouts and his signature doves. To prime audiences for the next film, Fallout, Paramount re-released the entire Mission Impossible series on 4K Blu-ray last month. The new discs are not only a huge upgrade for cinephiles but also a fascinating glimpse at how studios can revive older films for the 4K/HDR era.
‘Hong Kong Massacre’ is ‘Max Payne’ meets ‘Hotline Miami’
When Remedy Games released the original Max Payne in 2001 it changed video games in a real way. And the same can be said for Dennaton Games and Hotline Miami 11 years later. Well, it's been an awful long time coming, but the developers at Vreski are almost ready to unleash The Hong Kong Massacre on PlayStation 4 owners.
Stranglehold delayed until late September for PS3
This is coming from a long line of "is it, is it not" scenarios for John Woo's action title Stranglehold. First it was held back, then region locked, then region free, then delayed for the PS3 indefinitely (but not really). So forgive us if another delay announcement doesn't exactly spark a very violent reaction with us -- we've run this course before. This time, though, both the PC and PS3 versions of the game get held back.While the 360 gets their white dove action on September 5th (in Europe, 14th), the PS3 has to wait until the end of September, slated now for the 25th with a vague October listing for Europe. Still, we should be getting a demo of the title over the PS Store soon, right? With all these delays, it'd be silly not to have that demo up before the game hits. Otherwise, we just might lose interest. Probably not, though, since this game looks pretty slick.[via Joystiq]
Stranglehold slips again on PC, PS3
Guy with two guns epic Stranglehold is still struggling to get a grip on the PS3 and PC, with both versions facing delays just as the Xbox 360 version sees completion. Inspector Tequila's seething vendetta against neatly stacked grocery stands begins on the Xbox 360 September 5th (September 14th in Europe), with the PC version now following on September 18th in the US and the 21st in Europe. Shacknews reports that the PS3 version of the bullet bonanza is now scheduled for release on September 25th, which translates to an imprecise "October" for Europe.
Stranglehold slips to Sept. 5 on PC and Xbox 360
Midway has confirmed to Joystiq that guy with two guns epic, Stranglehold, has been delayed past its initial August 27th release date on Xbox 360 and PC. John Woo's thoughtful study into the nature of exploding watermelons will now release on September 5th, with the PlayStation 3 version still following on September 17th. If you're clueless about Stranglehold or just have an urge to crush goons beneath suspiciously tethered neon signs, we'd recommend you have a look at the demo currently on the Xbox Live Marketplace.[Thanks, Kyleia and Justin]
Upcoming John Woo film to become Chinese MMO
Director John Woo, who is currently collaborating on the game Stranglehold, will see his current film project Battle of the Red Cliff become an MMO in China, according to the press release. The title will be developed by Beijing-based Perfect World.Red Cliff is based on the Three Kingdoms in ancient China, and specifically on the famed Battle of Red Cliffs where warlord Cao Cao was successfully blocked from conquering southern regions by warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan. If any of these names sound familiar to non-history buffs, the events have been previously portrayed in games such as Dynasty Warriors and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, whose sheer number of iterations rival that of EA Sports franchises.The MMO is coming out in the fourth quarter of this year. No word on whether the MMO is being planned for other territories. John Woo's Red Cliff will be released as two films, with the first reportedly coming out before the Summer 2008 Olympics and the second by the end of that year.[Via Eurogamer]
New Stranglehold vids show off unseen levels
Midway has been showing off a bunch more of their Tequila-infused shooter, Stranglehold, and GameVideos has three of the videos showing previously unseen levels. Embedded above is a video of the Garden level, showing off more wide-open environment than we've seen in previous vids. The gameplay doesn't seem to work as well in the open area as it does in the more closed off places, but still looks pretty solid. Just a little too reminiscent of Max Payne.Hit the jump for two more videos showing off the Restaurant and Garage levels.
Stranglehold PS3 still coming to Europe this year [update]
Update: Alright, that's enough of this "delay" rubbish. Though still due out August 27 for Xbox 360 and PC, and on September 17 for PlayStation 3 in the US, some confusion has arisen regarding the European version of John Woo's Stranglehold. Dutch site PS3 Only obtained a statement from Midway that didn't feature a release date but noted (translation via N4G) that the game is "definitely [coming] out this year." That's the news -- the misinterpretation implied a delay to the European PS3 release. 1UP confirms that Stranglehold for the PlayStation 3 has not been delayed and will retain its September 17 release date. The lack of a release date in the European Midway statement was simply due to human error (those humans are always messing things up). Our sincerest apologies for the confusion -- we've been tasked with cleaning the repeatedly destroyed fruit stalls in your favorite action film.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Stranglehold demo available on the XBLM
Right now, available on the Xbox Live Marketplace to all countries except Germany, is an action packed demo for John Woo's upcoming game Stranglehold. The Stranglehold demo weighs in at a rather hefty 1.28GB and features a taste of the campaign's Hong Kong marketplace gameplay as well as some intense combat and shooting fun. We advise giving the the demo a try to see if the "cinematic firefights" are something that are worth dropping your jaw over or if you can live up to John Woo's badass'icity. Go ahead, make Mr. Woo's day.
Stranglehold demo slo-mo dives onto Live (also, there are doves)
There's a demo for Stranglehold, the video game sequel to John Woo's Hard Boiled, now on Xbox Live, and we couldn't be more excited. And it's not just that its cinematic gun battles are a little bit of fresh air after being locked in the hot station wagon that is the summer game release schedule. We're also really excited, if only for a few moments, to get to be Chow Yun-Fat, uncanny valley be damned.And honestly, if you're going to be Chow Yun-Fat, Hard Boiled Chow Yun-Fat is the one to be, though Better Tomorrow Chow Yun-Fat would have also been acceptable. Can you imaging having to play as Anna and the King Chow Yun-Fat? Or even The Postmodern Life of My Aunt Chow Yun-Fat? We probably wouldn't even download the demo for that. ... Oh, who are we kidding? It's summer, we'll play anything.
Stranglehold placed on Xbox 360 and PC Aug. 27
Guy plus two guns news now, with Gamespot conveying the long-awaited release date for Midway's bullet-time bonanza, Stranglehold. The destructive action title, labeled as the interactive sequel to John Woo's classic Hong Kong film, Hard Boiled, starts its commercial shootout on Xbox 360 and PC on August 27th. Slow-mo effects seem to be a little more pronounced in the PlayStation 3 version, however, as it's scheduled to arrive three weeks later on September 17th. One might speculate that Stranglehold is yet another title to be sucked into the increasingly epic Unreal situation, though a three-week delay is certainly preferable to indefinite postponement (and help is on the way!). PS3 owners can take solace in the fact that an HD version of Hard Boiled awaits them on that special edition Blu-ray disc -- well, except for the ones that actually had to click on that IMDB link.
Today's chowiest video: John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat in Stranglehold
So, you know how developers say things like, "Oh yes, Steven Spielberg was very involved in the development of this game" when what they actually mean is "Yeah, we sent a fax to his office and showed him a picture." We've been wondering if that's how involved John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat were with Midway's Stranglehold.Here's video evidence to quell our fears that John Woo's involvement was simply sending a smiley-face emoticon to the development team when they asked him for feedback. Plus, seeing Chow (Mr. Yun-Fat? Fat? CYF?) recording lines for the game and sitting in meetings warms the slow-motion, dove-filled cockles of our hearts.
John Woo reminds you -- there's more than just shooting in Stranglehold
The environment is your weapon. While shooting, slow motion, white doves, and plenty of destructible cover riddle the previews for Stranglehold, there hasn't been much mention of the environment itself and how it can also be a weapon. Over at IGN, senior game designer Patrick Curry wrote up a new entry on the Stranglehold blog regarding exactly that, describing the new environmental destruction gags as very "Woo-esque."After the showing at last year's E3, work began on other levels that had a much stronger emphasis on destructible environments to be used as weaponry -- dropping air conditioning units on enemy's unsuspecting noggins, big electric lights spraying sparks down on your opponents (how unfortunate if they were standing in a puddle of gasoline ... you know it's a good idea, guys), among other things. Since the game already looks great, making stuff fall is a fun improvement. But wait, there's more! You can swing a sign around to take out multiple enemies and we can only imagine the use of gigantic steel beams or other such swing-able objects. It's not much of an update on the game itself, but we can't wait to screw around with the dozens of ways to play through a level with these options at our fingertips!
Stranglehold cover system is all about being temporary
Not only is John Woo's Stranglehold making headlines due to its clever inclusion of Hard Boiled (the prequel film to the game from the early 90's), but the cover system has been described as akin to the super-classic classic Space Invaders. We'd like to call it a better Gears of War cover system -- you know, where those pillars and whatnot will actually get shot away in a matter of seconds.Not only will couches, pillars and other such objects used as cover get shot to bits while Inspector Tequila sits behind them, but he will automatically crouch down to use whatever cover is left. That's pretty cool. Many times we've wondered how we can hide behind something and avoid enemy fire when we can clearly see that our head and leg are sticking out. Along with the inclusion of Blu-ray movies, nifty cover mechanics, and famous action heroes, we wonder: will this game surprise a lot of us, or prove mediocre?[via Joystiq]
Stranglehold cover system is a lot like Space Invaders
The latest post in the development blog for John Woo's Stranglehold explains the action game's cover system with a rather ingenious analogy: Space Invaders.More specifically, Senior designer Patrick Curry is describing medium-sized objects (e.g. couches, concrete columns) that you can use for cover and are destructible. "As your cover shrinks Tequila will automatically crouch down to use whatever cover's left," he said, "but in Stranglehold no cover lasts forever." It was lead designer Neill Glancy who came up with the analogy, which explains how gunfire will slowly whittle down cover that either you or your opponents may be using.We know what you're thinking: will you have the cojones to blast through your own cover, just like in Space Invaders? Real-world application of retro gaming skills embedded after the break.
John Woo directing Ninja Gold film in conjunction with Warren Spector's game
John Woo will direct and produce the film-half of Ninja Gold, a multiformat project co-created with celebrated game creator Warren Spector. According to Woo's production partner Terrence Chang, the concept is based on ongoing factual accounts of the Yakuza and Russian mob stealing gold from South Africa. "The idea actually started with John Woo," Spector told Reuters, "He wanted to do something involving traditional ninjas in a modern-day setting, and the idea just resonated with me."The two components, the game and film, will be developed somewhat independently, while retaining similar elements that will provide a narrative link. In a departure from the norm, neither will be entirely based on the other -- think: convergence, like, totally. Though Spector has been credited as an executive producer of the film, he implied that Woo will be commanding the movie with little help from the game developers. Chang added that the film will be more reality-based (so no signature-Woo bullet ballets?), borrowing lightly from the fantastic elements of the game. Chang hopes that a script can be completed soon, so that production can begin next year. No timetable has been given for the game's development.As for Woo's other game-related project, Stranglehold, Chang suggested that a film adaptation was a strong possibility. "We would definitely bring Stranglehold to the big screen," Chang said. "We would like game titles to have all kinds of possibility. Having a movie made from them is certainly a major consideration for deciding on a title."
SGD '07: Joystiq hands-on with John Woo's Stranglehold
Click for the full version of the box art. Waiting for John Woo's Stranglehold to hit store shelves is a bit like watching one of his movies; there's a lot of slow-motion, and plenty of bullets and destruction during the wait. We got our hands on the latest build at Sony's recent Gamers Day, and fired thousands of rounds in an effort to see how we were at controlling Chow Yun Fat.Now, if you haven't seen a John Woo film, you need to rush out and rent one right now. Since Hard Boiled, which is the prequel to this game, comes on the Blu-ray disc, we'd recommend The Killer. Both of 'em star Chow Yun Fat, tons of guns, and a lot of over-the-top action. Hong Kong action cinema at it's finest.%Gallery-3187%
Best Special Edition ever? Stranglehold SE exclusive to the PS3
Wow. After years of videogame special editions including nothing more than a making-of DVD or a lame in-game item, Midway Games has decided to up the ante considerably. Included with the exclusive PS3 special edition of Stranglehold is a full-length high-def remastering of John Woo's greatest movie (and Stranglehold prequel), Hard Boiled.A stunning example of 90's Hong Kong cinema, Hard Boiled pretty much put John Woo on the map. Starring Chow Yun Fat as the hardened Hong Kong cop Tequila, the violent action movie has some of the most memorable shoot-outs in the genre. The finale, a 30 minute gun fight in a crowded hospital remains one of the most intense scenes in an action movie to this very day. A classic in every sense of the word, the movie has had a bumpy release history in the US. The DVD has been out of print for many years, and the Criterion Edition will command prices upwards of 100 dollars on eBay. But now, thanks to Midway, for just 10 extra dollars ($70US total), you can get the special edition of Stranglehold with the first ever HD remastering of Hard Boiled. Suddenly, my interest in this game just went from moderate to INSANE. [via blu-ray.com]
John Woo has a Stranglehold on amateur filmmakers
Fans of slow-motion, doves, and people diving through the air whilst firing two guns will be excited to know that Midway is offering you a chance to make your own John Woo-esque Stranglehold short film, in exchange for a shot at fortune and glory.The contest opens up on April 30th and runs until June 25th, and the winning film will be hand-chosen by John Woo himself. The winner will get $25,000, have their film shown on Spike TV, a John Woo signed Hard Boiled movie poster, and have bragging rights in future geek trivia contests.Check out the details here so you can start storyboarding your short. Bonus points if you happen to know Chow Yun Fat and can get him to star in your flick.
John Woo demands your attention for his screenshots
Or else he gonna break yo' neck, man! So, was that intimidating? At all? Well, we've stumbled across some new screenshots of John Woo Presents: Stranglehold and they're looking pretty nice. We have yet to see a ton of white doves flying behind any protagonist, but we're almost certain that those will be edited in to the point where the PS3 will begin to fly, itself. John Woo loves his doves.While all three of the new screens come with that "new" label, we feel like we've seen at least one of them before. Maybe they're just updated and shined up? Perhaps they better reflect a finished product? Maybe we can actually expect more than a handful of titles in the next two months? Come on, John Woo, be the hero and don't leave us hangin' here!
