run out of time rest somewhere in the middle of johnny to cannon and in the solid good category . a a crime thriller it not terribly original or overwhelming and the action scene will not blow you away but it have something else go for it . it a johnny to film after all and it have to . andy lau have 72 hour to live . he decide to play a strange cat and mouse game with a hostage negotiator of the hk police and play by lau ching wan . that the plot in a nutshell . on top of that to pile layer of twist and turn that keep proceeding interest throughout . it occasionally become too convolute for it own sake but never let it get the best of it . however and just a johnny to be about to hand over a slick and well make crime flick ( which and let face it and be dime a dozen ) and he slip in bit and piece that bring run out of time alive a a full emotional experience and provide the soul and heart to the well oiled skeleton . the concept of synchronism and minimalism ( staple in his work ) be explore in great effect here . always subtle and let the image speak for themselves and give them time to develop with long take and slow track shot and exemplary cutting to the score and it all here . a small love story in a bus between andy lau and a girl be among the highlight of the film and part of the heart i be talk about . so simple yet so powerful . ditto for lau and lau ching wan car scene and the bowling room showdown . however something stop me from claim run out of time be a masterpiece . to have all the ability and craftmanship down to a notch but he can also be too workmanlike or bland at time . when he good and he real good . there be even isolated moment of pure brilliance that be just too good for their own sake and leave a bittersweet aftertaste for the rest of the movie . i be convince that if he put his heart to it and he can make a really great film . a it be and this be another one of his film that be flaw but enjoyable . underneath the slick hk style and it the black humour and heartfelt drama that make this a compelling film . worth watch and definitely .