Most viewers in the US will think of little more than the
Kung Fu Theater films of the past when they think about action films from
China. While those films were entertaining they can’t begin to compare to the
product coming out of China now. Led by director John Woo in the eighties the
country has followed his lead by making some of the best action films out
there. Consider EXTRAORDINARY MISSION among them.
Lin Kai (Xuan Huang) is an undercover officer with a past providing
him a reason for wanting to take on the drug lords. His mother killed herself
using the heroin they ship in large quantities now. Lin infiltrates the gang at
a slow and steady pace, first ingratiating himself with the local dealer. But
he’s working his way up the ladder for the top man.
Each step of the way finds Lin in more danger than a secure
position. When his immediate boss is killed before his eyes and he is targeted
next only his skills allow him to survive and reverse the position. But rather
than kill those sent to kill him he instead pledges his allegiance and
discusses wanting to take over the old boss’ territory.
Moving up in the ranks Lin is eventually brought before the
man at the top known as The Eagle (Duan Yihong). It is a journey spent mostly
with a bag over his head that transports him from his home location into
Thailand and beyond. The Eagle’s home base is a city that he runs, complete
with a school to take care of children as the factory he’s built refines and
packages drugs. But being his city it also allows his private army to control
the town and his safety.
As greed prevails The Eagle tries to direct the council he
heads into taking on the methamphetamine trade. Thinking they already have a
lock on heroin and not wanting to step on the toes of the South American
cartels they decline. When the most vocal of them is shot and killed, their
tone changes.
With information in hand, Lin passes it on to his handler,
Li Jianguo (Zu Feng). An incorruptible officer determined to take down the drug
lords Li is stunned to learn that the man in charge is The Eagle. Li has a
history with The Eagle, an association with his past where he thought the man
was dead. When Lin passes the name on to him he recognizes there is more at
stake than just drug trafficking.
The last 30-40 minutes of the movie finds Li required to go
to the city owned by the Eagle to confront him for past sins. The end result is
a fast paced and frenetic exhibition of stunts, pyrotechnics, gunplay, hand to
hand combat and more that fill that full 30-40 minute period. It is one of the
longest onscreen battles that I can recall seeing put on film. Best of all it
works, moving along at such breakneck speed that you don’t consider the
logistics or unending supply of ammunition to the guns on hand, instead getting
caught up in what’s transpiring.
The movie is one of the best action films I’ve seen in some
time. It provides enough story to draw you in but before those moments take up
too much screen time someone is shooting, being shot of fighting to propel the
story forward. It was a fun movie to watch and one that I know I’ll revisit.
Director Alan Mak directed the film INFERNAL AFFAIRS which
was highly praised. I missed seeing that one but it’s now on my personal radar and
one I’ll be seeking. I can only hope that he follows in the footsteps of Woo
and makes his way here to the US to work with English speaking actors and
brining his sense of style and action to films here.
Not only does the film provide story and action it looks
amazing. The grainy films of those old kung fu flicks is nowhere to be seen
here. Instead the crisp, clean images are amazing to behold. You feel as if
you’ve been placed in the jungles here, feeling the sweat drip down your spine
from the humidity. That the images can convey that speaks volumes.
Too often US movie fans will bypass foreign films, many like
this with no English dialogue and subtitles only. That’s sad because if they’d
bother to take the chance and watch movies like this they’d be delighted with
the end results. So set aside those prejudices about language and make a point
of seeking this movie out. If you love action flicks you’ll be stunned and have
the time of your life. And it might make you decide to expose yourself to more,
taking your viewing habits out of the safety zone and into films that are just
as good as you’re used to if not better.
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