Kill Zone
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Movie Reviews of Kill Zone
Movie Review: ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING FILMS I OWN
Summary: 5 Stars
KILL ZONE
Let it be known that I am a huge fan of these kinds of films and in fact own every Dragon Dynasty release that they have put out thus far. I was thinking the other day that other than "The Protector" starring Tony Jaa I have not reviewed any of the Dragon Dynasty releases. I decided that the best place to start would be with the first release from the company and that is this wonderful film called "SPL" or by this release "Kill Zone". If you are like me you have the original release but for the average viewer this is probably the best way to go, and the special features are great.
Kill Zone is about a group of cops who after countless times of trying to put away the bad guy decide it is time to take the law into their own hands. Det. Chan Kwok Chung [Simon Yam] is the leader of this group of officers who has a tumor and is nearing the end of his career. So before he exits the game and after taking in the daughter of a witness killed by the lead villain he must take down Wong Po [Sammo Hung]. Enter Insp. Ma Kwun [Donnie Yen] who will be taking over for Chung after he retires is on the fence about what role he should play after he learns of the officer's vigilante ways. So the film progress over some of the best action and scenes ever witnessed by my eyes leading to a final showdown between Donnie and Sammo which features some great MMA style moves including some great Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
This is easily one of the most entertaining films one could have in their collection and to not own it seems a little off to me. This film has that don't become what you hate feeling to it as the officers become what they wanted to stop in the first place. I have always loved these types of films, the idea of taking action yourself and handling business on your own is appealing no matter who you are. The noir style and look of the film only adds to the atmosphere and makes it feel a bit real. The surprising thing about this movie is that I have heard some people speak down on this film, I have no idea why. This has revenge, action, fights, and basically all that is required to have a good time.
The fight scenes at least in my opinion feel real [excluding certain moments] and are very entertaining and I love that fact that some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is applied in the film particularly in the final battle between Donnie and Sammo. Every one did a great job in this film particularly Sammo and Simon Yam who are really the leads of this film not only in the credits along with Donnie but these two hold this film even higher with the tension between them. Donnie's character seems cool and does an excellent job especially since his character lands in the middle of a war. But Simon and Sammo play their characters so real that it seems they really hate each other.
I have heard both negative and positive things about this film but in eyes this is a classic, how could it be any thing less? With the Dragon Dynasty release you will get behind the scenes action and a very informative commentary among other things. Writer/director Yip Wai Shun [Wilson Yip], and writers Szeto Kam Yuen [Kam-Yuen Szeto], and Ng Wai Lun [Wai Lun Ng] did a great job with this film. If you don't already own this I say go get it now, it is worth it. Also the on this film is some amazing cinematography, there are some truly beautiful shots, the beach scenes for instance. And also at times particularly when Donnie Yen is walking away after hitting a guy once and causing brain damage he looks a lot like Lou Diamond Phillips. Don't know why I felt the need to say that.
Movie Review: Sha Po Lang finally comes to DVD in America!!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Not only has it finally come, we get a very special edition of this movie. The bonus features are awesome.
So if you are familiar with Hong Kong action movies then you know they can be quite hit and miss. Really a lot of miss with the occasional hit. But S.P.L. is on a level of it's own. A gritty bad cop drama at it's best. Sammo Hung stars as Tong Po, the triad kingpin. Donnie Yen comes in as the new chief that will replace Simon Yam who is retiring. Simon Yam plays the bad cop along with his other cop buddies who have to take Togn Po down before Simon retires. With only a couple of days to do this they have to go to drastic measures.
I really don't want to give anything away about the story because it is truly one of the best Hong Kong action movies ever. Don't expect to laugh, expect to cry. I would put this right up there with The Killer, The Longest Nite, and On the Run as one my absolute favorites in the dark thriller genre. And oh yeah, the action featues some of the best choreographed fights in recent Hong Kong history.
Now the special features are truly special.
DISC 1 - this movie is the first release from Dragon Dynasty. On the commantary by Bey Logan he gives us a some previews of movies that Dragon Dynasty witll be releasing. The list includes only great films ranging from Tsui Hark's Seven Swords to Sammo's classic Shanghai, Shanghai which I thought had been lost. Along with a commentary from Bey Logan, we also get to watch Donnie construct the 2 major fight scenes. One is 27 minutes and the other is 30. and to go along with that THEY BOTH HAVE AN OPTIONAL COMMENTARY FROM LOGAN AND DONNIE YEN HIMSELF!!!! I don't know what i enjoyed more, the making of or the commentary from the star.
The movie itself has Chinese and English Dub with DTS sound for the cantonese track. Widesceened with no flaws on the film print.
DISC 2 - 15 minute interview with Sammo talking about what he has been doing and plans for the future, 40 minute interview with Donnie Yen talking about all kinds of cool stuff, 14 minute interview with Simon Yam talking about the director and other things, 17 minutes with Wilson Yip talking about his experiences, 23 minute interview with Jacky Wu talking about how he got into the business. There is also a 10 minute making of.
This DVD is a must buy for any movie fan. Even if you have seen it the extras alone are worth the price to see it again. Obviously I am looking forward to future Dragon Dynasty releases.
Movie Review: A very dark Father's day tale...
Summary: 5 Stars
SPL (or "Kill Zone", which is the ridiculous American title for this movie) is a return to the gritty, hard core action movies from Hong Kong cinema's heyday when John Woo and Ringo Lam ruled the roost with their brilliant, hyperactive bullet ballets. Directed by Wilson Yip and featuring some of HK's greatest veteran action stars, Sammo Hung (Prodigal Son, Pedicab Driver), Donnie Yen (Iron Monkey) and Simon Yam , SPL is one helluva "edge of your seat" roller coaster ride of a movie for HK action fans. It is relentless, tragic, dark and furious, detailing the story of a retiring HK cop (Simon Yam) with terminal brain cancer, dead set on putting the one triad nemesis (Sammo Hung) of his entire career behind bars before he calls it a day and hands over his job to his replacement (Donnie Yen). Aside from the excellent and lightning-fast action choreography by Donnie Yen, this story starts off as a nail-biting, dramatic showdown between Simon Lam's police inspector and Sammo Hung's brutal triad kingpin, building tension with each relentless scene, but ends crashing to a tragic climax on Father's Day. The theme of fatherhood is the connective tissue for all these characters: while Simon's character agonizes over the prospect of not being able to take care of his godchild due to his brain cancer; Donnie's character deals with carrying on his father's legacy as a policeman; another cop deals with reuniting with his daughter after 10 years apart; another cop deals with his long bitterness toward his father; and crime kingpin Sammo is experiencing the joys of his very first Father's day, after suffering through his wife's two previous miscarriages. As time ticks away, methods become more lawless and brutal, with plot twists becoming more convoluted. Sha Po Long delivers the goods with some of the most impressive fight sequences ever filmed, coupled with strong performances and brilliant cinematography. The ending is a shocker, as Sammo's character resounds the poignant message echoes throughout the entire movie: "God is fair". SPL sets a new standard for HK cinema and is a proud new addition to the HK's great cinematic canon. Go check this out.Movie Review: What you probably thought couldn't happen
Summary: 5 Stars
Long time addicts of Hong Kong action flicks have, for too long now, felt like addicts. "Where's the good stuff that got me hooked?" Many have wandered off into the good old chanbara slashers for a fix and if it wasn't for a handful of beautifully made movies out of Korea we'd have nowhere to go except our increasingly perverse seeming and overflowing dvd shelves with hardly a movie not seen 3, 4, 5 times. So maybe someday they'll be erecting a little golden altar to Yip Wai Shun who is saving the genre with a power like that that first infused our then young bloodstreams. If you are so old don't be surprised if ya get teary eyed seeing old Sammo and Donnie (who, it seems, don't get old) mixin' it up like you haven't seen out of China since, well, who's countin', too long. Key here is Shun's respect for the talents and abilities of everyone in the cast. Simon Yam, whose made every kind of movie there is, plays his role, as he often does, like he was born for it. Jackie Wu, whose young talents have shone elsewhere, is here given a role where he can and must cut loose and he leaves no doubt but he's up to it. (Proving again, talent and skill beats wires by several magnitudes.) Seeing "Killzone" one can only hope Hung and Yen's careers have been reborn. It's not that they don't disappoint, it's how they go well beyond anything you're likely to have expected. These two artists are great and this movie provides in your face proof of it. If you see this movie and don't like it you aren't and never will be an action fan so you can safely write off the whole genre. I don't know, go see Charlie's Angels or somethin' cause action fans are going to like this movie lots and lots and over and over again.Movie Review: Outstanding Hong Kong Action Film: Best In Years!
Summary: 5 Stars
Now this is how you make a crime-drama action film. The less said about this film, the better. This film is directed by Wilson Yip, and is without a doubt one of the greatest action films to come out of Hong Kong in a long, long time. My friend gave this DVD to me a few months ago, and I can't believe I waited so long to finally open up the package and watch this film. It's terrific. The other reviewers are not exagerating or over-emphasizing how great this film is. It's totally terrific! The beginning, middle and ending of the film is just great!
As for the choreographed action scenes--they are the best I have ever seen. Donnie Yen is just outstanding! The film centers around a group of cops who have attempted to put a crime boss named Po (Sammo Hung) behind bars. However, they have run out of patience and decide to frame him for a crime he didn't commit. And I can tell you, in the action scenes, Sammo can move as quickly as anyone can. Don't let his physique fool you. He's lightening quick.
When Ma (Donnie Yen) is pegged as the replacement for Detective Chan (Simon Yam) he finds that he is in a pretty tangled predicatment. With Detective Chan making up rules as he tries to nab Po, Ma finds his loyalties to Chan in question. However, he views things from a distance. He is a clean cop, and wants to catch the bad guys the right way. The fight scenes with him in this film are so realistic, they are incredible. Please viewers, do not give away this film's ending. It's incredible. I never expected the ending of this film coming. It totally floored me. Highly recommended. [Stars: 5+]