|
|
FULL ALERT (1997) |
|
I think Lau Ching Wan and Francis Ng are two of the best actors in Hong Kong, and deserve wider recognition from outside of Hong Kong. They are very versatile in their acting, and can assume a plethora of roles that are both convincing and entertaining. They are usually great on their own, but put them together, and you can expect some marvellous performances. Lau plays Inspector Pao, a senior officer in the Serious Crimes Division, who recently apprehended Mak Kwan (Francis Ng) and his girlfriend, Chung Lai Hung (Amanda Lee) for murder. Kwan admits to killing an architect, and the hoarding of bomb-making items. Hung is freed after Kwan takes the blame for everything, and he is taken to Stanley Prison awaiting trial. Meanwhile, his cousin Chan Wah and three other Taiwanese men are planning to free him from the prison, so that they can continue their agreed plan to steal money from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. A failed attempt to free Kwan leaves Chan Wah and one other Taiwanese bloke dead, but the other two do not give up. A second attempt is successful and Kwan escapes. With him being the mastermind of the operation, they are successful in breaking into the Jockey Club's vault, but it is there that all hell breaks lose. This is a very good cop thriller, and it is good to see Lau Ching Wan and Francis Ng facing each other instead of working together. In fact, both of their characters are alike; for example, they both do not like to admit failure, both have the determination to pursue a goal to the very end, and both have nightmares of killing a human being. If they weren't on opposite sides, they probably would've ended up as friends. As it is, Full Alert moves along crisply as we ascertain how Mak Kwan would escape from his prison, and how the heist would be achieved. The former is quite plausible, but the latter is simply too easy. This is no Mission Impossible for certain. But the main theme of the film is not the heist itself, but the squaring off between Pao and Kwan. The added bonus of a good script keeps us entertained as the plot moves along a good rate, giving us time to absorb the two main characters, and their beliefs. However, action is brief and scarce, but powerful when it appears. The film tries to be realistic, and plays down any ostentatious action sequences that often blight many other cop films. Gunfights are minimal, but a car chase along the streets of Admiralty, Central and Wanchai is undoubtedly the highlight of the film. Full Alert may not be for those who grew up watching
John Woo films, and this is a film that offers more of kinetic drama than
explosive action. If you like cop dramas, then this is one for you. Excellent
stuff. |
|
|
      |
|
RATING 8 / 10 |