A Michael Wong movie...what was I thinking when I purchased this film?
What's wrong with it you say? I'll be modest and just say...well...everything!
Where to start? Well, Michael Wong plays a very tortured cop who is trying to stop this supposed "Ultimatum" assassin, whom (supposedly) is supposed to be a secret to the audience. I'm sure everyone including my dog knew it beforehand. He just seems to be always at the right place at the right time.
But the worse thing is when people get shot, it seems too high-school play-like, where when they get shot, they have to jump into the air and then take a fall. Brilliant!
The plot, well, outside of the assassin, you got Yoyo Mung trying to kill herself, probably because she woke up and realized she was in a film with Michael Wong! A dubbed Michael Wong to boot! I guess his Engrish voice was more than the total budget of this film (3 pennies).
I always wondered why Michael got a bad rep in HK, now I know why.
Now excuse me while I go hide this film in my neighbor's mailbox.
Touch And Go [1991] (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime Not a lot was heard about this film, as it was a little more light-hearted than your typical Ringo Lam film.
However, that doesn't mean this film is bad. If anything, it's still a great film! Ringo Lam's dark theme plays through, with Sammo Hung's humor adding a bit of light-heartedness.
There's plenty of action for those who need their action-bones satiated, and even a little romance between Sammo and Teresa Mo (the picnic table scene was a hoot).
Overall, if you seen all the other Ringo Lam films, definitely give this one a try. It's not "Full Contact", but it's close. Plus, it's got Sammo Hung!
Pedicab Driver (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy I went into this film expecting to get blown away. And while it wasn't the be-all end-all of martial arts films, it was still alright I guess.
The fight between Sammo Hung and Billy Chow was phenomenal! I truly enjoyed how Sammo had to constantly re-think his strategy as to how to beat Billy.
However, the comedy sort of brought it down, as opposed to actually helping the film during some fights. The 3 stooges act was a little too silly for my tastes, and John Sham's character was simply too annoying.
The stuff that went on between the fights brought the film down as well, as I simply got bored from all the talking, and just skipped to the next fight scene.
Overall, a so-so film, not terrible, but at the same time, not the greatest flick either.
The Most Wanted (product link) Crime An earlier film with now mega-star actor Lau Ching-Wan, when he wasn't so mega (but is still cool).
Playing an undercover cop, I could feel the fear as he did when he was working, as you never could tell if he was going to get shot from one second to the next.
This film shares the same feeling a lot of other undercover HK cop films show: Being undercover really sucks.
Overall, a very good film, anchored by a terrific cast (especially LCW).
Yep, it's Michael Wong again. And not only is he the star (gasp!) but he's also the director too!? Someone stop the madness!
I picked this up on blowout with some remaining Flix Bux, figuring, it was either this or "Avenging Angelo".
I have shamed Stallone greatly.
Well, Michael Wong plays a cop (gasp!) and in school-play mode, he takes down some VCD baddies, and then, to get back at Michael, the baddies get him charged with rape and his g/f must set him free. Then in a slew of events so boring that I might fall asleep if I tried to describe, Michael Wong is set free from jail, and goes after the real baddies.
Gee...where haven't I heard this before?
At the end, bringing a moment from Lethal Weapon, Michael Wong fights this kid, while all the cops and bad guys watch. You have to see it for yourself (no, I'm kidding), one minute he's getting beaten to a pulp, the next, he's goes Raging Bull on the kid.
Ultimately, avoid this turd at all costs. People and this film truly do need to be "Miles Apart."
In A Moment of Romance, we have sort of a Romeo meets Juliet type of story. Boy meets girl, they fall in love...but alas, Van Damme gets in the way. They then engage in a Bloodsport type of film, throwing the romance to the side.
Andy Lau vs. JVCD!!
.....
No just kidding.
Andy Lau does a decent job in this movie, as the triad who finds someone who understands him for who he is (Wu Chien-Lien).
Wu Chien-Lien, in her first starring role, really shines in her role, showing why she's one of the best actresses out of HK.
As for Van Damme, well...
However, after all the rave reviews I heard about it, I thought it was going to be another "As Tears Go By" type of triad-romance film. I guess I set my sights too high on this film.
But don't get me wrong, it's a decent film, if your into these type of films. I guess because I'm not a huge fan of any of the stars, it probably brought the enjoyment factor down a little.
Overall, I guess it was a decent film. A love that could never be.
Pom Pom And Hot Hot (product link) Comedy / Action/Adventure A lot was said about this film. It supposedly had a real head-bashing finale. Instead, all I saw was a lot of wacky shtick and a ho-hum climax. I think what ultimately ruined the film was that there was too much silliness abounding. Had the movie kept a serious tone throughout, it would have been a much better film.
Still, it gets kudos for having a quirky title. Pom Pom and Hot Hot indeed.
Full Throttle [1995] (product link) Drama / Art If you're looking for wall-to-wall racing, then check out "Legend of Speed." But if you're looking for a racing film which focuses more on the personal lives of the characters, then this is a pretty decent film. Not a bad film per se, but overall, it was pretty "meh."
Road Warriors (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime "If you've seen one Danny Lee film, then you've seen 'em all" goes the saying, and this doesn't change that. Danny Lee becomes a traffic cop, and runs amok of a speeder. Whoop de doo!
On The Run (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime If you wish for the days of gritty, hard-hitting films, then this is definitely one to consider! From beginning to end, there is a gloom that hangs over this film, but it is so well done in this action thriller, that it works!
Brotherhood [1986] (product link) Action/Adventure This Danny Lee film finds Danny Lee stuck between upholding the law and helping his friend.
You'll be wondering whether to fast-forward or just pop out the DVD altogether. When the movie isn't being boring, it is hard to see where they are in the dark, and it'll make you squint your eyes.
First Shot (product link) Crime / Action/Adventure If you like cop films of the hard-hitting Golden Age of HK, then this is one to check out. They just don't make them like this anymore.
The Mission [1999] (product link) Bullet Ballet / Crime This film has a lot of style to spare. It's got a lot of gun action, but with it, a lot of cool posing.
True Hero (product link) Crime / Drama Simon Yam takes a break from being a triad to becoming a geeky prof. This film however focuses more on a kid, while I focused more on the number of minutes remaining in the movie.
The Case Of The Cold Fish (product link) Mystery / Drama If the teaming of Michael Wong and Michael Chow has ever been your dream, then this film is one to check out.
It has some funny parts, but overall, it was rather boring all in all.
Having watched what was supposed to be the be-all end-all of JC flicks, I'd have to say it was okay-ish at best. I found his drunken antics a little bit too over-the-top.
Overall, a decent watch.
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READER COMMENTS
AUTHOR
N
You just called what is possbily the greatest martial arts movie "a decent watch." I have no idea what you would call great.
Undeclared War (product link) Bullet Ballet / Action/Adventure This film is not too good, but not too bad either. The action scenes are decent, but not quite up to HK Ringo Lam films. Overall, a little too slow-moving, and seriously, what's up with the red mist when people get shot?
A True Mob Story (product link) Triad / Drama Not a bad film. I was surprised this was from director Wong Jing, as there wasn't the usual goofy antics. Pretty good film.
Police Confidential (product link) Drama / Thriller The Mandarin dubbing [on the version I watched] really brought the feel of the film down. Also, it was a little boring as not a whole lot happens during the whole of the film. Overall, a miss.
The Suspect [1998] (product link) Bullet Ballet / Action/Adventure It's time for more gritty action, Ringo Lam style! While it doesn't have the grit of say, "Full Contact" or "Full Alert", this is still a pretty good film. And the more I see of Julian Cheung, the more films I want to check out of his.
Shanghai Grand (product link) Drama / Crime This film has some pretty exciting action scenes. However, when it's not in thrill-a-moment times, it feels really dull and boring as they jabber on about things that'd make me dowsy if I tried to explain to you.
The more of Tsui Hark I see, the less I want to see of his work. And he used to be someone's work whom I wanted to see when I was younger. Alas.
Don't Fool Me (product link) Comedy / Action/Adventure What do you get when a gangster and an insurance salesman switch roles? Apparently a whole lotta' zaniness!
The pre-IA pairing of Andy Lau and Tony Leung works, but there are parts that are boring and hard to get through, but overall, a decent night's watch.
Running On Karma (product link) Drama / Dark Comedy Andy Lau's butt: if you find it uncomfortable to see that, then I would not recommend seeing this film.
It's like a mix of fantasy, Buddhism, and romance mixed into one film. Not a crime-thriller of the usual Johnnie To style, and personally, I did not find it too good.
The Incorruptible (product link) Crime / Drama Ray Lui must do all he can to stop the corruption that surrounds him. He also must do it in the dark, because there are scenes that are just hard to see in the film. What's worse is that it is really boring. Ray Lui must have forseen this because he goes on to star in "Flash Point". Sweet.
Loving You (product link) Drama / Romance Explosive action, combined with a head-bashing climax and a gut-wrenching finale...
...will sadly not be found in this film. What did you think?
Both Lau Ching-Wan and Carmen Lee prove to be amazing actors, in what could have been a decent film, but is damaged by rather boring storytelling. Also, the way the movie is filmed gives off this rather made-for-TV style. Overall, a little less-than-decent at best.
Iron Angels (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime If you crave 80's-style action, you could do worse. While not on the level of the "In The Line Of Duty" series, this is still a pretty decent watch. It reminded me of a time when action films were done well.
Arrest The Restless (product link) Mystery / Crime During the era of the "Teddy Boys," Leslie Cheung and co. must prove their awesomeness and fight against rival gangs. However, the bad action scenes (veeeeryyyy fake-looking) plus a boring movie bring this one down.
People's Hero (product link) Drama / Action/Adventure In being similar to "Dog Day Afternoon", if you liked that film, then this one will be right up your alley.
Don't expect any dual-Berettas shooting through the air. Instead, expect a nice, slow drama, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
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