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Jet
Li is Kit, a despondent ex-cop who finds work as the bodyguard -
and uncredited stunt double - for Frankie, Asia's number one movie
star, played by Jackie Cheung. Frankie, who is famous for supposedly
doing all his own stunts, is not only a fraud, but a lazy womanizer
as well. When terrorists take control of a posh high-rise, it is
up to Kit to storm the building and save the hostages - including
Frankie, who must overcome his cowardice and live up to his image
at last.
This film has been billed as a dig at Jackie Chan and his work practices.
Apparently, he and Wong Jing did not part on the best of terms with
'City Hunter' and this is Wong Jing's payback. The result is actually
a very fast paced and funny film with some ridiculous and surprising
moments. Jet Li is billed as the main star but disappears for the
mid section of the film. He is given one standout fight scene which
is both well filmed and choreographed. The end fight though, belongs
to Jacky Cheung who comes off actually looking quite good although
he is not a martial artist. As with all Wong Jing's work though
the film suffers from being uneven and in some places even slips
into bad taste. The pace never lets up though and it is impossible
to get bored as there are so many things going on at once. This
is a fun film clearly lampooning everything it can think of including
'Die Hard'. As long as you don't demand much there is much to enjoy
in this typical Wong Jing production. The budget is surprising large
and the cast are all A-Grade actors. Not much is demanded of them
but they all come off looking good on screen.
With this film you certainly get your money's worth and therefore
it should be added to your collection. It's a bit stupid in places
but that's part of its charm . Jet Li is not in it loads and this
may lead to some of his fans being a bit disappointed. More of an
action comedy in the same vain as Wong's 'City Hunter' but with
less hand-to-hand combat and more explosions. Not Jet's best but
an enjoyable diversion nonetheless.
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