"The Mission" is a slickly made and always watchable Triad movie. It is funny in parts and even manages a couple of tense shoot-out scenes. Fans of John Woo or heroic bloodshed might be disappointed however - this isn't the balletic, guns blazing action scenes fans of HK crime cinema might expect. These scenes are nowhere near as athletic. Dare I say they are more "realistic"?
Gentlemanly Triad boss Lung has an attempt made on his life that he barely survives. He hires five guys to look after him and find the killer. Among these is legendary HK actor Anthony Wong whose unusual and fearsome appearance changes the feeling of every scene he's in. Unfortunately none of the other four make much of an impression on their own.
For most of the film's length, I was aware that I wasn't entirely following the plot, but that wasn't hindering my enjoyment any. I mean, how many of these movies have a plot you can fully understand? I had to subtract a point at the end, however. The final act is played like it should have more impact than it does, perhaps because we are expected to understand something we missed. Or not? Who can say?
Gentlemanly Triad boss Lung has an attempt made on his life that he barely survives. He hires five guys to look after him and find the killer. Among these is legendary HK actor Anthony Wong whose unusual and fearsome appearance changes the feeling of every scene he's in. Unfortunately none of the other four make much of an impression on their own.
For most of the film's length, I was aware that I wasn't entirely following the plot, but that wasn't hindering my enjoyment any. I mean, how many of these movies have a plot you can fully understand? I had to subtract a point at the end, however. The final act is played like it should have more impact than it does, perhaps because we are expected to understand something we missed. Or not? Who can say?