Most genres of film may have started here in the United States but other countries have taken a few of them and made them their own. One of the main examples of this is the particular sub set of the action movie, the Hong Kong action flick. There is a specific style to these films that is often imitated by rarely matched. One of the latest is ‘Flash Point’ directed by one of the most lauded names in the field, Wilson Yip. In more recent years the Asian action film has become overly dependent on swords and various other martial arts weapons. With this film Yip returns to a simpler day of hand to hand combat while updating it to incorporate the newer hot ticket item for action; Mixed martial arts. In this form of fighting it may look to like anything goes but there are an amazing amount of rules and format derived from many well established martial arts techniques. This film is more than just one action sequence after another. There is a real story contained in the film that makes this as much a drama as it is an action packed flick. This film is far from perfect; it has its flaws to be certain. What carries the flick is the sheer energy that the cast and crew have put into the production. While not up to the classics such as the old Bruce Lee films this one makes an excellent try to return the genre to its roots.

The film was co-written by Kam-Yuen Szeto and Lik-Kei Tang. Of the pair Szeto has the most experience having authored a number of scripts for other like spirited Hong Kong action flicks. Tang has only one previous writing credit which he also shared with Szeto. Together they craft a story that contains more in the way of plot than the usual ‘he killed my brother and now I must train to kill him’ type of flick that dominates this kind of movie. The story is set in the mid 1990’s just before Hong Kong was returned to the control of Mainland China. Ma Jun (Donnie Yen) is a detective for the local police working on making a case against the powerful crime Triad. In particular he is after the heads of the criminal organization; three Vietnamese brothers; Archer (Lui Leung-Wai), Tony (Collin Chou) and Tiger (Xing Yu). To obtain information on the mob Ma has planted an informant in the organization, his partner Wilson (Louis Koo). There are the usual plot points for a decent crime drama found in this script. The partners have a lot of friction between them while Wilson is finding that he is now trusted by the gangsters. They take their time in developing the story line before they get to the real action. Sure there are some fights shown during the credits but they are just teasers. The real action doesn’t take hold until the third and final act of the film. By this time there is a reason for the violence that has been firmly established by the preceding drama. This is far more effective than the sudden senseless battles that usually are the hallmarks of the genre.

Directing this film is Wilson Yip. Yip has been doing this for well over a decade now and is well known and regarded in the Asian film community. Here he has to share some of the credit for this film with his main star, Donnie Yen. Yen also worked on the film as one of the main action directors. You have to respect Yip for his decision to do this. After all it is Yen who put his safety on the line performing the action sequences and he should have a say in directing those scenes. Many film credits are just a way to justify putting a name up several times or getting a couple of extra salaries. This is not the case here. Yen has been working as an actor, stunt man, director and fight choreographer since the late eighties and has earned his right to the credit as given here. Yip handles the flow of the film during the first two acts very well. He employs some imaginative camera angles and use of lighting to keep the audience interested. This was vital considering most people watch a film like this for the fighting. Here Yip develops the story line and provides a basis for the action that will come. When it does get to the screen it is amazing; some of the best action sequences I have ever seen. The ultimate fight scene is done is extremely closes quarters; there is no where for the antagonists to run from each other. It is two men pitted hand to hand against each other. The camera takes the audience into the heat of the battle with extreme point of view camera angles. You will be drawn into this like few films can manage. As noted it takes awhile for the action to really get started but when it does you will be glued to the screen. This film is the third collaboration between Yip and Yen and they work incredibly well together. Hopefully this will not be the end of their partnership. The film starts out as a crime drama and morphs into a real action flick. The die hard action fan may get bored but that is the price to pay for developing a story for the film; what a concept. Unlike many action movies this is one that you have to pay attention to the dialogue. It is a new direction for the genre but one that is most welcomed over the mindless stream of violence for the sake of violence flicks that are out there. This film will satisfy both people in the audience who are looking for a crime drama and those into action.

The DVD of this film is being distributed by The Weinstein Corporation with Genius Productions under their Dragon Dynasty line. As usual they go over above and beyond with the presentation on DVD with a two disc special edition. The first disc has the film presented in 2.35:1 widescreen featuring excellent color balance. The audio options are far better than most DVDs of Asian action flicks. There is the original Cantonese sound track in Dolby 5.1 and DTS. Then there is an English dubbed version also in Dolby 5.1 or you can opt for the English subtitles. There is a commentary track with Donnie Yee and Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan. The second disc is crammed full of extras.

Behind the Scenes