Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling Hong Kong action classic; strong bloody violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hard Boiled
What's the Story?
In HARD BOILED, rival Triad gun smugglers face off and are pursued by tough, cool cop Tequila (Chow Yun-Fat), who vows to bring them to justice after his partner is killed. An undercover cop embedded in the Triads is revealed to Tequila, and together they work to take down the syndicate's ruthless leader, Johnny Wong (Anthony Wong).
Is It Any Good?
This Hong Kong cop classic has sat near the top of every "best action movie" list since its release in 1992 and for good reason: It's a total thrill. Hard Boiled's characters span from super-cool to deliciously cruel. Its high-stakes drama—from a tearoom shoot-out to a whole hospital taken hostage in its explosive finale—is utterly gripping. But the winning formula of John Woo's action direction that mixes bone-crunching, "only in Hong Kong" stunts with huge-scale gun battles is what keeps action fans returning, more than three decades on. It has humor, melodrama, and heaps of fun for any family looking for a gritty, glorious spectacle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Hard Boiled. Did you find it exciting and thrilling, or over-the-top? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Which characters showed teamwork and courage? Why are these important character strengths to have? Can you think of any times in your own life when you've demonstrated these traits?
What is the appeal of action movies? How did this movie compare to other films from the genre?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 5, 1993
- On DVD or streaming : October 27, 2003
- Cast : Chow Yun-Fat , Tony Leung , Teresa Mo
- Director : John Woo
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Chinese Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s) , Chinese Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Film Rise
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 128 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive violence and some language
- Last updated : January 29, 2026
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