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The 1980s and early 1990s saw slow motion’s comeback, thanks largely to Hong Kong action maestro John Woo. Films like A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled showcased slow motion—often paired with iconic imagery such as doves taking flight—to heighten emotional stakes and stylize gunfights and climactic sequences. Woo’s distinctive use of the technique helped cement it as an essential element of action cinema.
Woo’s influence transcended Hong Kong, impacting Hollywood and inspiring other directors to adopt and refine slow motion for dramatic effect. His creative approach rejuvenated appreciation for the technique’s narrative and aesthetic potential.