Perhaps Bruce Li’s finest work? And why are his best works so bitterly dark? Having read several good reviews and my curiosity piqued, I was able to get this on DVD. To my surprise, my attention was kept throughout. Hardly any humor to be found here and you really feel for the situation that Bruce and his pals get into because of one stupid, greedy bastard.
The bad guys are bad ass and they will stop at nothing. The leader with the beret looks like someone you wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley. He really loves harpoon guns! As Bruce and his buddies struggle to survive, there’s an extreme anticipation and sense of curiosity. I really didn’t know what to expect next: not always the case with some of Bruce Li’s films. Fighting is fierce and fast with Li shining on top. The junkyard scene where Bruce negotiates with the gang is chaos and I felt really bad for the guy hanging from the bus. Watch Bruce Li’s great stunt when he leaps through a moving mini-bus window in ONE take! The ambush on the studio lot is so out of control even the camera angles get in on the fun! Most fights usually end up with tragic results including a neck injury that I really never saw coming. Kudos to director Siu Kwai who keeps the mood gritty and ominous. Although the shot of the wig falling was an odd, yet funny scene.
My favorite scene is when the assassin reveals himself to Bruce. We are treated to a quick flashback and I said out loud, "It was THAT guy???" You have to see it to really enjoy it. In the dark tradition of Soul Brothers of Kung Fu, this film shows Bruce Li’s true potential in kung fu cinema. It has nothing to do with Bruce Lee and everything to do with Ho Chang Tao. Oh, and if you find gold bars with vietnamese writing, just leave them alone.
Reviewed by Lester.