This modern-day Hong Kong thriller mixes together elements of the psychological human drama with a more conventional terrorist-mastermind type plot that seems very familiar in today's world of suicide bombers and terrorist bombings. With repeated shots of buildings exploding a la 9/11, this makes for a film that is sometimes uncomfortable and always unexpected. Sadly, the movie as a whole is let down by some indifferent acting, especially on the part of the lead, Daniel Wu, whose over-the-top gurning belongs in a pantomime. The good news is that it generally fits together well as an action-cum-thriller with plenty of shoot-outs, bloodshed, and martial arts battles to keep the machismo running over.
Director Teddy Chan handles the action sequences with aplomb, revealing the true horror of what happens when the police battle on the streets with terrorist villains, as numerous bystanders end up getting caught in the crossfire and both sides taking heavy casualties. Although the toxic gas premise belongs in a sci-fi movie, things don't really get out of hand until the effects-laden finale in the sewers which actually happens to be pretty funny. Attempts are made to give this film a heavier plot that most, as it focus on various characters caught up in the proceedings, trying to get the audience to see what it would be like to be them.
Out of the cast, the best performances come from Emil Chau as the by-the-book cop, who has a wholesome feel of goodness about him; I'd like to see him in similar roles in other films. Although Joan Chen is top-billed in her minor role as a police psychologist, she's actually on screen very little and makes nothing of an impact – I've always considered her to be overrated myself. Conversely, Josie Ho, an actress I've never heard of, who plays one of the female terrorists, is excellent, bringing heart to the role of a guilt-free killer and being very sexy with it – give this lady more roles! Much is made of white-haired Kwok-Leung Gan as the chief terrorist Soong, and he is decent as bad guys go, more of a silent brooding menace than a megalomaniac in this one. So, all in all this is a decent action flick, not a masterpiece or particularly rewatchable or anything, but different enough to be worth a go.
Director Teddy Chan handles the action sequences with aplomb, revealing the true horror of what happens when the police battle on the streets with terrorist villains, as numerous bystanders end up getting caught in the crossfire and both sides taking heavy casualties. Although the toxic gas premise belongs in a sci-fi movie, things don't really get out of hand until the effects-laden finale in the sewers which actually happens to be pretty funny. Attempts are made to give this film a heavier plot that most, as it focus on various characters caught up in the proceedings, trying to get the audience to see what it would be like to be them.
Out of the cast, the best performances come from Emil Chau as the by-the-book cop, who has a wholesome feel of goodness about him; I'd like to see him in similar roles in other films. Although Joan Chen is top-billed in her minor role as a police psychologist, she's actually on screen very little and makes nothing of an impact – I've always considered her to be overrated myself. Conversely, Josie Ho, an actress I've never heard of, who plays one of the female terrorists, is excellent, bringing heart to the role of a guilt-free killer and being very sexy with it – give this lady more roles! Much is made of white-haired Kwok-Leung Gan as the chief terrorist Soong, and he is decent as bad guys go, more of a silent brooding menace than a megalomaniac in this one. So, all in all this is a decent action flick, not a masterpiece or particularly rewatchable or anything, but different enough to be worth a go.