08-24-2007, 01:14 PM
I mentioned this one on the DTG thread - ![[Image: viewtopic.php?t=551]](http://brotherhoodofdoom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=551)
. Caught it on VCD, so the resolution was low, and it was only in Mandarin, so I couldn't really understand it. Factor that into this review.
FP follows the stereotypic Hong-Kong-gangster-deep-cover story arc ala City on Fire/Reservoir Dogs & Infernal Affairs/Departed. Donnie plays essentially the same character as in SPL, the hardcore kick ass cop. There's a lot of plot development (re: not many fights). It's very, very Hong Kong in its style and cinematography. The finale is awesome - great gun play, great fight. I still think Donnie is the choreographer to watch now. He incorporates a lot of judo and MMA techniques, does some nice extended sequences and sets up some fresh visions of people kicking the shit out of each other. All the fights are great. There's just too few of them. Maybe if I had a better command of Mandarin, the plot would have intrigued me more, but I'm guessing not. It was a bit disappointing, since it was somewhat a reaction to DTG, which was criticized for too much wire work (DTG was based on a comic book, so I personally thought that was a silly criticism). Flashpoint was supposed to be a return to the 'no wires, all real stunts' mode of filmmaking, and for the fight scenes, it does deliver. However, in the shadow of the over-the-top Thai films that are coming out now, there's just not enough action. Too much intrigue. If we wanted good acting, we'd watch Meryl Streep. We want a little of the ultra-vi, not the Devil Wears Prada. So, with the last three Donnie films, I still rate it as #1 SPL, #2 Dragon Tiger Gate, and now #3 Flashpoint. It might be worth it to just skip to the fights for the last two. The fights are intense.
Two outstanding comments: Flashpoint features Collin Chou and Xing Yu. Collin Chou was in DOA and is definitely some one to watch. He's got some great moves. Xing Yu was formerly known as Shi Xingwu, a martial monk who I knew in '95 & '96. I had heard he left to try to make it in film. This monk was a gorilla. He would take a shot to the stomach from anyone who walked into Shaolin Temple. Anyone. Despite his hulking physique, he could still do all the aerial stuff too. He also starred as Coolie in Kung Fu Hustle. It took me a while to recognize him. He's got a mean look that will fate him to playing heavies and villains, but he's a phenomenal martial artist and another one to keep your eye on. I hope we cross paths again soon. I doubt he'd remember me, but I have a few pics with him to remind him if we meet again.
FP follows the stereotypic Hong-Kong-gangster-deep-cover story arc ala City on Fire/Reservoir Dogs & Infernal Affairs/Departed. Donnie plays essentially the same character as in SPL, the hardcore kick ass cop. There's a lot of plot development (re: not many fights). It's very, very Hong Kong in its style and cinematography. The finale is awesome - great gun play, great fight. I still think Donnie is the choreographer to watch now. He incorporates a lot of judo and MMA techniques, does some nice extended sequences and sets up some fresh visions of people kicking the shit out of each other. All the fights are great. There's just too few of them. Maybe if I had a better command of Mandarin, the plot would have intrigued me more, but I'm guessing not. It was a bit disappointing, since it was somewhat a reaction to DTG, which was criticized for too much wire work (DTG was based on a comic book, so I personally thought that was a silly criticism). Flashpoint was supposed to be a return to the 'no wires, all real stunts' mode of filmmaking, and for the fight scenes, it does deliver. However, in the shadow of the over-the-top Thai films that are coming out now, there's just not enough action. Too much intrigue. If we wanted good acting, we'd watch Meryl Streep. We want a little of the ultra-vi, not the Devil Wears Prada. So, with the last three Donnie films, I still rate it as #1 SPL, #2 Dragon Tiger Gate, and now #3 Flashpoint. It might be worth it to just skip to the fights for the last two. The fights are intense.
Two outstanding comments: Flashpoint features Collin Chou and Xing Yu. Collin Chou was in DOA and is definitely some one to watch. He's got some great moves. Xing Yu was formerly known as Shi Xingwu, a martial monk who I knew in '95 & '96. I had heard he left to try to make it in film. This monk was a gorilla. He would take a shot to the stomach from anyone who walked into Shaolin Temple. Anyone. Despite his hulking physique, he could still do all the aerial stuff too. He also starred as Coolie in Kung Fu Hustle. It took me a while to recognize him. He's got a mean look that will fate him to playing heavies and villains, but he's a phenomenal martial artist and another one to keep your eye on. I hope we cross paths again soon. I doubt he'd remember me, but I have a few pics with him to remind him if we meet again.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse