You Can Do A Lot of Things to This Guy, But Do NOT Mess With His Mom
When we buy a ticket to a martial arts action movie, the plot is often beside the point. We're looking for action, action, and more action. The most creativity we're hoping for is that the filmmakers find an interesting way to shoot the fights and the stunts to make us go "wow" a few times. But what happens if a martial arts film becomes preoccupied with plot and forgets the action for too long?
That brings us to Special ID
, the new film starring Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen. The opening scene of the film brings us a mildly entertaining fight sequence, and we quickly learn that Yen is a deep undercover police officer that has infiltrated the highest levels of organized crime. Sadly, the film then mostly eschews fight sequences - the second act features only one really big fight scene but it isn't particularly memorable - and instead opts for plot.
, the new film starring Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen. The opening scene of the film brings us a mildly entertaining fight sequence, and we quickly learn that Yen is a deep undercover police officer that has infiltrated the highest levels of organized crime. Sadly, the film then mostly eschews fight sequences - the second act features only one really big fight scene but it isn't particularly memorable - and instead opts for plot.
The basic essence of the plot can be discerned: Yen is anxious to get out from undercover work to protect his beloved mother from retribution, and so he is sent on a supposedly final mission to hunt down his former protégé and get the goods to bring down the gang he has infiltrated. Beyond that, the film is mostly incoherent.
Eventually the villain, who has come back from three years in America to take control of the gangs, beats up Yen's mom and Yen wants revenge. You see, Yen's character is close to his mother. I mean really close. Weirdly close. The film is begging for some humor mocking the guy for his dedication to his mother, but perhaps it's just a cultural disconnect.
Yen embarks on a chase, joined by a fellow cop played by Tian Jing. This chase mixes a wonderful - if not entirely plausible - car chase and a solid but over-edited fight on a bridge. Tian Jing in particular gets in some outstanding work as she engages in a close quarters fight with the villain in the front seat of an SUV all in the midst of them continuing the chase (her work in the rest of the film is not so good). The climax is by far the best part of the film, but it does not save the film. The whole thing is just too corny and too plot-heavy, and lacks the highlight reel action sequences to make up for it.
Screened in the theater.
Eventually the villain, who has come back from three years in America to take control of the gangs, beats up Yen's mom and Yen wants revenge. You see, Yen's character is close to his mother. I mean really close. Weirdly close. The film is begging for some humor mocking the guy for his dedication to his mother, but perhaps it's just a cultural disconnect.
Yen embarks on a chase, joined by a fellow cop played by Tian Jing. This chase mixes a wonderful - if not entirely plausible - car chase and a solid but over-edited fight on a bridge. Tian Jing in particular gets in some outstanding work as she engages in a close quarters fight with the villain in the front seat of an SUV all in the midst of them continuing the chase (her work in the rest of the film is not so good). The climax is by far the best part of the film, but it does not save the film. The whole thing is just too corny and too plot-heavy, and lacks the highlight reel action sequences to make up for it.
Screened in the theater.
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