All the pieces are here for a terrific Bond-like movie - including the original Bond himself! How much more A-list can you get? Unfortunately, none of it comes together; it gets played out in typical Hong Kong style. That is to say, wildly erratic pacing, gaping plot holes, absolutely no concern for continuity of time or character, etc. It starts out so promising, with first-rate set locations, helicopter chases, Sammo Hung - and quickly, very quickly, degenerates into schlock detective yarn, and not even good schlock detective yarn.
Reasons to watch this movie? First of all, the theme song! "Sky High", by Jigsaw, is a very familiar pop song from the 70's that many of you will remember, for better or for worse... I personally didn't know it was written to be the theme song for this film, but that only adds to the whole "Bond"-ness of this movie (or failure therein).
Next reason - the chase sequences. Seriously: from the opening helicopter-vs-car quickie (wait until you see your head almost get taken off by that unpredictable flying car door, truly frightening!); to the on-foot chase that startles many dogs and gets free oranges to children playing jump rope; to the final, lengthy, multi-stage car chase that gets the brand-new love interest killed (look for Wang Yu's emotive shaking of a clenched fist over the limp body!), and many, many innocent drivers knocked about horribly in multi-flip car crashes, only to have them pop their heads out of the smoking wrecks, mouthing mildly amusing obscenities, or shaking their fists while standing in ditches next to their overturned vehicles.
Where does this movie go wrong? It's hard to tell. Having Wang Yu climb a drainpipe for ten stories, only to have him break through the same all-glass door he could have broken through in the first place is a good starter. Maybe it was when the grubby, chubby second Aussie cop bumps into the parked motorcycle while walking through some dialogue and they don't bother to re-shoot. Or maybe it was the sex scene with the random hang gliding journalist fifteen minutes into the movie that ends up providing almost nothing for the film except a quick way for Wang to get to the penthouse apartment for the final fight (shades of "Game of Death", anyone?) I wanted to like this movie, but it drags, the fights are just lousy (admit it, you all), and none of the pieces, from actors to locations, ever get used well at all. Like a wonderful movie poster come to life, and just as entertaining to watch as a movie poster for one and a half hours.
Reasons to watch this movie? First of all, the theme song! "Sky High", by Jigsaw, is a very familiar pop song from the 70's that many of you will remember, for better or for worse... I personally didn't know it was written to be the theme song for this film, but that only adds to the whole "Bond"-ness of this movie (or failure therein).
Next reason - the chase sequences. Seriously: from the opening helicopter-vs-car quickie (wait until you see your head almost get taken off by that unpredictable flying car door, truly frightening!); to the on-foot chase that startles many dogs and gets free oranges to children playing jump rope; to the final, lengthy, multi-stage car chase that gets the brand-new love interest killed (look for Wang Yu's emotive shaking of a clenched fist over the limp body!), and many, many innocent drivers knocked about horribly in multi-flip car crashes, only to have them pop their heads out of the smoking wrecks, mouthing mildly amusing obscenities, or shaking their fists while standing in ditches next to their overturned vehicles.
Where does this movie go wrong? It's hard to tell. Having Wang Yu climb a drainpipe for ten stories, only to have him break through the same all-glass door he could have broken through in the first place is a good starter. Maybe it was when the grubby, chubby second Aussie cop bumps into the parked motorcycle while walking through some dialogue and they don't bother to re-shoot. Or maybe it was the sex scene with the random hang gliding journalist fifteen minutes into the movie that ends up providing almost nothing for the film except a quick way for Wang to get to the penthouse apartment for the final fight (shades of "Game of Death", anyone?) I wanted to like this movie, but it drags, the fights are just lousy (admit it, you all), and none of the pieces, from actors to locations, ever get used well at all. Like a wonderful movie poster come to life, and just as entertaining to watch as a movie poster for one and a half hours.