Two elite police teams head up a secret operation following a dangerous smuggling ring across the Macau border, but when their presence is discovered, the mission ends in a deadly firefight. Twenty years later, an escort mission brings the survivors back to the scene of the tragedy—and fosters a highly unwelcome reunion.
Detective Tam (Patrick Tam) and Madame Fong (Jade Leung) engage in a gun battle with a gang of anarchists terrorizing the gambling paradise of Macao, which causes plenty of officers to die. Unfortunately, Fong’s boss buries the truth behind the firefight leading to twenty years without answers. The screenplay is tough to follow. From the unnecessary crosscutting of the twenty-year timeline and too much time spent on underdeveloped characters.
Lee stated he was inspired by old Hong Kong shoot ‘em up films directed by John Woo. Woo has big shoes to fill and Lee comes up short. Lee uses too many whip pans and unnecessarily shakes the frame during shootouts. Woo would shoot his wonderfully choreographed action with clarity and grace. The explosions are laughable as well as the digital blood, showcasing a desperate need to bring back squibs. The characters are equally tacky, the bad guys are silly caricatures while the cops pout and pose like runway models. There’s one great action scene: when the squad led by Fong are pinned down by a heavy caliber machine gun, they use a cool shield tactic to get through. Besides that, it’s boring.
I believe Hong Kong will be back with a resurgence when the right filmmaker and star will find that cinema magic. Until then I’m going to rewatch some old Woo films!
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