Still, Replacement is a decent introduction to the magnetic Chow, in a typical role as a hitman with a conscience. Sent by a Chinese-American crimelord to kill a Los Angeles cop's little boy (in revenge for the cop's killing of the gangster's adult son during a drug bust), Chow decides instead to hightail it back to Shanghai and protect his own family from the boss's wrath. He enlists the help of a passport forger (Mira Sorvino), who soon finds herself on the lam with Chow. No time in this brisk thriller for romance; Sorvino's underwritten dyspeptic-buddy character is just along for the ride. This is Chow's show, and even amid the picture's relentless gloom and bombardment of clichés, his subtle fury and eerie grace hold the screen. Let's hope Hollywood lets him stretch next time.