Big Bullet

I picked up this HK action film in a for sale bin along with some other Hong Kong action films some years back, and finally got around to viewing it again tonight after many years. I must say, this is one film worth owning. I do not have as many films from HK compared to my Japanese film collection, but I have been trying to acquire more films from HK these past few years, as there are some real gems out there. Lately I have been trying to immerse myself in more films from South Korea, Thailand and China. And this film does not disappoint the viewer---especially if you are into action films.

Several reviewers have already given excellent reviews of the film; and I would just like to add that this film also gives the viewer some really terrific humor to go along with the action. And Lau Ching-Wan also gives the viewer a wonderful role as Sergeant Bill Zhu. But then everyone in the film was a treat to watch. I am playing catch up to many films from HK that I missed out on over the years, and I would highly recommend this film to all viewers, and mainly those who like a good and not over the top action film. I have an old DVD of this film, and the transfer was not that great, still the film is worth owning.

Moreover, this HK action film, "Big Bullet" is not only a very good action film, but it is also an extremely intelligent film. And kudos to director Benny Chan, who did a wonderful job with the action scenes in the film too! And once again, I really liked the humor of this particular film, as it is not over the top, and you will find yourself laughing in many parts of the film. I was not sure whether to give this film 4 stars or 5. That's how much I liked this film. Highly recommended [Stars: 4.5].

Lau Ching Wan plays a cop that is being transferred from the special unit to the emergency unit. I don't know Hong Kong police stuff very well, but non-Chinese will just have to suppose that he is being demoted. Plus this is still when the Hong Kong was in the Brithish's hands so it may not even be applicable today. Well they may be able to demote him, but they can't change who he is. He is a damn good cop and even his superior knows he cannot fire him because he has made so many big arrests.

Well right when he starts with the Emergeny Unit, big things start going down. Only he is not with the special unit anymore and has to do what he is told arresting street hooligans and such. So he can do nothing when a man who is called the Professor(Rongguang Yu) gets broken out of prison. He and his henchmen, one of which is played by Anthony Wong want to get their money back from the cops. They know where the money is because of certain people and they will do all in their power to get it. I love it how this guy goes to jail for stealing money and now he breaks out of prison so he can get it back. Rongguang Yu is very good as the villian.

So the movie has awesome shootouts and even a little hand to hand. When you have the Iron Monkey in a movie, it is a crime not to use his skills. The choreography could have been a little more exciting, but this is some of the best I have seen in a movie that is this good. Also I was cracking up during the entire film. A very good mix of comedy, action and drama. I have to say that Lau Ching Wan is not quite as good as he is in say Johnny To's movies, but this role was not made just for him and he still proves to be possibly the best actor in Hong Kong again. Only my opinion but he is freaking cool!

The Universal and Laser and Video Company version has pretty good picture quality. It is presented in a 16:9 format but all of the subtitles manage to stay in the black bars.

In Benny Chan's Big Bullet, Lau Ching Wan is a hard-boiled cop demoted to the emergency unit after punching a jackass superior. Lau ends up being in charge of four cops who eventually realize that he's an outstanding policeman. The group becomes an excellent team by following Lau's leads and they go to war with two psychotic drug-lords. This action packed film sports an awesome supporting cast. You can't miss with Anthony Wong and Yu Wing Gong as the villains. Add Jordan Chan, Francis Ng, and Theresa Lee to the mix and it's almost an overkill. Director Benny Chan lets everyone shine and the results are fabulous. Big Bullet will add flavor to any action fan's collection.

The characters are particularly memorable in this movie, which is saying quite a bit about the quality of this action flick. Lau Ching Wan plays a tough well-respected cop who gets demoted to the Emergency Unit (after he punched a superior) and joins with four other cops, each with very different personalities. The characters are excellent and the way they play off each other is quite endearing, dramatic, and funny. And then, there's the two evil druglord villains whom they must eventually tangle with. Action scenes are fast and furious (occasionally confusing), and story moves quite quickly. A highly entertaining movie.

As for the DVD, I found it pretty okay, as there are some extra trailers of other movies which was kind of nice, although DVD didn't allow me to skip through the the studio/warning setences and stuff in the beginning.

After assaulting his superior officer, well decorated cop Bill gets reassigned to the less glamorous Emergency Unit. Circumstances put Bill on the trail of escaped international criminal Professor, and his accomplice Birdie. The mechanics of this film are truly mediocre - it's a standard plot with cookie cutter characters. But the enormously talented cast, subtly humourous script, and one very well choreographed action sequence make this film quite enjoyable. Lau Ching Wan is in top form, Jordan makes the best of his cliched character, Theresa shows the same energy she had in _What A Wonderful World_, and Spencer even gets to do some football play-by-play. Francis Ng Chun Yu doesn't ham it up, for once, and puts in a solid supporting role. If you enjoyed this film, you may enjoy _In The Heat Of Summer_ even more. -P