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| IN THE LINE OF DUTY 4. Starring - Cynthia Khan - Donnie Yen - Michael Wong. Director - Yuen Woo Ping. After seven years as a US illegal immigrant Luk finally gets his Green Card, alas he becomes embroiled in a major drug transaction that goes horrendously wrong. Officer Woods has been trailing the drug gang and manages to gain photographic evidence of the transaction, he is spotted and gunned down but he manages to escape just long enough to pass the film on to the nearest bystander, Luk! Woods dies just as the police arrive and Luk is found kneeling over the body with gun in hand. Immediately Woods’ partner Donny assumes him to be the murderer and he is taken into custody. Luk escapes the police station after being interviewed a tad over zealously by the local police force more interested in the whereabouts of the film than whether or not he killed Woods. After the murder of his best friend Luk manages to flee to Hong Kong only to be trailed by Captain Wong and his associates Donny Yan and Madame Yeung whom Luk managed to befriend earlier. Hot on their tales are also the drug peddlers and the CIA. Just what is going on? I haven’t seen any of the other LOD movies but on this evidence I wont be bothering neither. Apart from the choreography LOD4 lacks no substance whatsoever. The story has been done a thousand times before and offers up no new ideas on the theme. The characters seem distant with no little background being offered as to why they are in their respective situations and the actors portraying them seem even more distant with poor performances throughout. Now the only real reason for anyone to view this dirge is the choreography, with Corey Yuen again giving us some fast paced and well shot scenes. Donnie Yen is as usual well up to par with some stunning legwork utilising it to great effect once again on the abominable Michael Woods. Cynthia Khan also moves effortlessly and graciously through the hordes of evil doers and is genuinely a joy to watch. Apart from the odd speeded up segment the choreography is very well done and everyone involved seems to know what he or she are doing. I rely heavily on subtitles when watching any Asian flick and the ones presented on the DVD are crystal clear. Unfortunately they are badly translated and really mess up the film even more. One scene that I cant shake from my head is one where Donnie Yen first chases Michael Woods whilst on motorcycles only for Woods to turn the tables on Yen and Woods ends up in pursuit in a Scooby Doo stylee. This happens about four times and is just plain ridiculous. Watch this ONLY for the choreography. 4****stars. |
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