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Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Jordan Chan, Cherrie Ying

A man who gave up on himself is redeemed by new and unexpected challenges in this drama from Hong Kong filmmaker Johnny To. Sze-To (Louis Koo) was once a respected judo champion, but he became jaded a... read more read more...nd lost interest in the sport. Now, Sze-To is an alcoholic who runs a night club and wastes his spare time by spending a massive bankroll he stole from a rival in fight promotion on gambling and liquor. When Sze-To learns that the judo master who was his mentor and teacher has died, it knocks a hole in the wall of booze and despair he's built around himself, and soon two new challenges present themselves. Mona (Cherrie Ying) is an aspiring singer trying to break away from her overly controlling father who arrives at Sze-To's club looking for a gig -- and won't go away until she gets one. And Tony (Aaron Kwok) is a young martial arts prodigy who has heard of Sze-To's former skills in the judo ring; eager to test his skills against a true master, Tony challenges Sze-To to a match, encouraging Sze-To to begin familiarizing himself again with the art of the gentle way. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

876 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Johnnie To

Release Date: July 1, 2004

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DVD Release Date: July 26, 2005

Stats: 88 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (88)

  • arashxak
    July 9, 2009
    arashxak
    A pleasant surprise, Adoring & filled with memorable sequences, Feels a bit rushed near the end but overall this is truly what a feel-good movie should be like
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    February 10, 2009
    DragonEyeMorrison
    One of my favorite movies of all time, and i'm dead serious. Loved every minute of it, only someone bitter with life could dismiss this movie so easily.
  • alanjayh
    July 25, 2008
    alanjayh
    simple plot...deep undertones..inspirational and uplifting message..another fine off-beat Johnny To offering...the scene running in the streets with the money flying about...one of the most memorable cinematic experiences ever..it all comes together for the viewer at the film's c... read moreonclusion.
  • ualush
    September 11, 2007
    ualush
    Not Johnnie To's most famous movie, but still a decent movie. People that know him for his action/gun ballets; Exiled, The Mission or Fulltime Killer might not enjoy this much. With a title like Throw Down and it being Judo based, one might think To is replacing his bullets with ... read morefists. But the fights are not exciting and just people flipping one another over their shoulders. But that is not what this movie is about. This is just another movie from To that is story driven. Except this time it isn't disguised with action. If you take the time to actually take in the story and the characters, To fans should enjoy this movie.
  • rageofsadako2008
    December 24, 2008
    rageofsadako2008
    One of Johnny To's more personal works, Throw Down is To's tribute to the great Kurosawa. It is also unique in its brutally frank, but often beautiful, showcase of Judo as the main choice of martial art. Mix in a little jazz, some smoky nightclubs, and people wrestling with "th... read moreeir feelings," and you have one tasty amaretto cocktail of action drama. It may not be as big as To's fans have come to expect, but 'Throw Down' (like his other film Running on Karma) is an inspirational, uplifting meditation on what it means to be human and the responsibility that entails.
  • fushmange
    June 22, 2008
    fushmange
    Completely bonkers but visually stunning and bursting with infectious energy. Some kind of insane masterpiece.

View All Yau doh lung fu bong (Throw Down) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis
July 22, 2005
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

Bursting with gangsters, gambling and human weakness in general, Johnnie To's Throwdown is so strange and idiosyncratic that it's almost surreal. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
July 19, 2005
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

The absolute best neo-samurai judo farce in town. Full Review

Daniel Eagan
August 2, 2005
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

Throwdown may not be top-drawer To, but it's still a good introduction to a director who deserves attention. Full Review

Ken Fox
July 22, 2005
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. Full Review

Ed Gonzalez
July 19, 2005
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

A compelling remix of aesthetic showmanship and human movement. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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