Hard Boiled is a 1992 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-fat as Tequila Yuen, a hot-headed cop who seeks justice for his fallen partner. The film opens with a chaotic shoot-out in a teahouse that leads to the death of Tequila's partner. The investigation reveals that a large-scale gun smuggling operation is responsible for the killing.
Tequila decides to go after the gun smugglers who killed his partner, and he teams up with an undercover cop named Alan, who is posing as a hitman for a local gang. The two form an uneasy alliance and begin a violent assault on the gun smugglers. The film features several explosive action sequences, including a breathtaking shootout in a hospital that lasts for over 30 minutes.
As Tequila and Alan close in on the leaders of the gun smuggling ring, they become increasingly reckless with their use of force. Their actions put innocent lives in danger, including a group of newborn babies who are trapped in the hospital during the shootout. The film centers on the theme of loyalty and brotherhood, as Tequila and Alan struggle to balance their personal vendettas with their duty as law-enforcement officers.
Hard Boiled is considered one of John Woo's finest films and a classic of Hong Kong cinema. It features innovative action choreography and stylish cinematography that became hallmarks of Woo's later Hollywood productions. The film was a commercial success in Hong Kong and helped launch Chow Yun-fat's international career.