Background
Benny Chan Muk-sing's debut as a
director was the hit A Moment of Romance. His undistinguished
subsequent films, however, did not suggest that he would be capable of
directing a tense, lean police thriller. So the critical and
financial success of Big Bullet in the summer of 1996 evidently
took most people by surprise.
Among others, he impressed Jackie Chan
sufficiently so that Chan enlisted his services on his next film, Who
Am I? His follow-up, Gen-X Cops, was another box office
hit and inspired a sequel, Gen-Y Cops.
Foreground
Lau Ching-Wan is a police sergeant who
is transferred from the Serious Crimes Unit (investigating crimes) to the
Emergency Unit (simply responding to them). His transfer is
precipitated by his punching out a superior officer whose order got fellow
officers killed. The plot follows him on his first day with the new
unit, during which something happens to his friend and former direct
superior (Francis Ng).
This film is full of excellent
performances, good writing, and dynamic direction. The action is
nearly non-stop but leaves a little breathing room for characterization on
the fly. Besides Lau Ching-Wan, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Cheung Tat
Ming, Theresa Lee, and Spencer Lam make up the other members of his unit,
and provide able acting support. Anthony Wong and Yu Rongguang lurk
in the background as the villains.
The film is rated as Category IIB.
There are several scenes of explicit violence (blood spraying, a severed
limb, many gunshot victims).
DVD: look, sound, and features
The DVD's widescreen (1.85 to 1) image quality is
excellent. Fleshtones are natural, colors are vibrant, and blacks
are deep.
The Dolby 5.1 sound is excellent with a
wide and deep sound field and good use of the surrounds and
sub-woofer. Cantonese and Mandarin language tracks are here.
The white removable English subtitles are easy to read. Many
typographical errors, though, and we miss out on what Anthony Wong is
saying in Italian. Subtitles
are also provided in traditional and simplified Chinese.
The excellent theatrical trailer as well
as trailers for Lifeline, Young and Dangerous III, The
Longest Nite, and Expect the Unexpected are included
There are 8 chapters along with a full-motion chapter menu.
Filmographies are given for Lau Ching-Wan, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Theresa
Lee, Cheung Tat Ming, and Benny Chan.
Buy, rent, or pass?
My second viewing confirms my initial
impression: a well-made action film with nuances that reward repeat
showings. A purchase is recommended.
(Reviewed 12/16/00)
