Cast Member: Jordan Chan

Although the state of Hong Kong cinema is much approved now, it’s hard to forget the wretched state just a few years ago. ‘Big Bullet’ really stood out when it was released and remains a class act.

The style and substance of ‘Comeuppance’ are in well-balanced equilibrium as neither overtakes the other, but there is still something indefinable that proves to be obvious by the time the credits roll.

‘Dial D for Demons’ is a modest but effective Hong Kong ghost story and generates just enough suspense to keep one on edge until the finale.

While not proving to be a significant mark in the pages of Hong Kong film history, ‘Downtown Torpedoes’ is still a pleasant diversion that achieves most of its goals.

This is an excellent action flick in the vein of Yuen Kwai’s 80’s actioners such as ‘Yes, Madam’ and ‘Righting Wrongs’ and is certainly a class above more recent efforts from the HK action circuit.

This, as you can tell from my gushing praise, is a film that has an obvious admiration and affection for the films that inspired it.

The film has neither the charm or magic of the original ‘God Of Gamblers’ and fails to competently put together a back story that is worthy of its hero.

Working with what is probably a minimal budget by Hollywood standards, Chin Ka-Lok fashions quite an impressive action film, complete with international locations and slick looking set-pieces.

Not a Brunel intellectual challenge, this is a recommended satirical comedy, easy to enjoy and a feather in the cap of Johnnie To’s varied filmography.

It may be relatively incident free and not as prestigious as many of its contemporaries, yet this is still a film that earns mild commendation.

Penned by prolific director and writer Wong Jing, ‘Hit Team’ is a formulaic cop thriller done on a low budget, something that makes itself very apparent early on.

Although this didn’t set the Hong Kong box-office alight, it is still recommended viewing.