Dedicated Hong Kong action cinema filmmakers – people like Felix Chong, Herman Yau, Wilson Yip, and Soi Cheang – continue to bring the world thrilling crime stories which are utterly unique to Honk Kong. The latter, Soi Cheang (Mad Fate, Limbo, SPL II), continues his tradition of hardboiled, atmospheric, violent tales with this fight film – part triad revenge movie, part nostalgia fest, which recreates an iconic Hong Kong landmark, Kowloon’s infamous Walled City. Soi Cheang’s film – based on a comic book, City of Darkness by Yi Yu – is set in the mullet-wearing neon-lit nightlife of the 1980s. It follows one refugee, Chan Lok-kwan (Raymond Lam), who finds himself caught within the fabled Walled City after stealing from a drug gang, led by Mr. Big (Sammo Hung, on cigar-chomping bad guy duties) and his number two, the maniacal Wong Gau (Philip Ng, unhinged and having a blast). Once inside its claustrophobic confines – where daylight is rarely seen and the planes almost scrape the tops of the buildings – Lok discovers a rabbit-warren of degradation and squalor, lawlessness and vice, where police fear to tread and criminal gangs run riot. But he also finds solace, kinship, and a strong sense of community; a self-sufficient system of retail outlets, temples, barbershops, kitchens, and housing for old and young alike.
The self-imposed ruler of the Walled City is Cyclone (Louis Koo), an aged triad leader who is equally philosophical, philanthropic and powerful, capable of punching people so hard they fly across the room. In a seemingly benevolent act, he takes Lok-kwan under his wing, providing bed and board, and a home – and family – he never had. Lok-kwan’s loyalty is tested when a legacy feud involving Cyclone and a rival triad leader erupts, signalling a rather unfortunate story contrivance which doesn’t hold up to any form of scrutiny, but does at least set up a final act full of action-packed confrontations.
Hong Kong action fans will enjoy the inclusion of genre legends like Sammo Hung and Aaron Kwok, along side the younger leads who take center stage. Raymond Lam, Tony Wu, German Cheung and Terrance Lau form a good-looking ‘band of brothers'. Action director Kenji Tanigaki – visionary stalwart from the Donnie Yen school of hard knocks – stacks his choreography with more than a little magical realism, creating the sort of uncanny notes that jar with Soi Cheang’s grittier tone. Bodies defy gravity, while older characters – including Cyclone, who is meant to be dying of cancer – seemingly flip, kick and roll like young shaolin monks.
The strangest moments belong to Philip Ng, who possesses supernatural fighting skills as a master of ‘spiritual boxing’ (think Carter Wong in Born Invincible, or any number of classic kung fu movies), impervious to machete attacks and capable of punching through walls. The true star of the film besides legendary Sammo Hung, is the Walled City itself, rendered excellently and captured with fervour and humanity by one of Hong Kong’s best directors.
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