SPL: Sha Po Lang AKA Kill Zone (2005)
Director Wilson Yip has emerged as the new champion of Hong Kong action cinema. Much of his success has come from a fruitful partnership with martial arts actor Donnie Yen and this particular movie was the project that first brought these two men together.
The story centers around a group of detectives who are attempting to bring down a powerful crime lord. The leader of the detectives is played by Simon Yam and the crime boss is portrayed by Sammo Hung. Yam has been diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor and is stepping down from the police force. His replacement comes in the form of Donnie Yen who finds that not only does he have Hung to worry about, but corruption within his own ranks as well.
The film works on many different levels, both action oriented, and dramatic. In essence, the movie is actually more of a morality tale, and the martial arts action was an afterthought.
But, it is the action that really sells the movie, and I’m glad to say that the film delivers on that front. Donnie Yen shines, Sammo Hung proves that even after a career that has stretched over five decades, he still has it, and Wu Jing is a real scene stealer in at least one fight.
Check it out and see for yourself.
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