Invisibletarget_Cover.jpgInvisible Target

2007

Dragon Dynasty

Roadshow

R4 DVD

 

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

 

This is generally a good action packed police show somewhat in the early Jackie Chan style, but without the showing off or inappropriate humour in the martial arts scenes. Director Benny Chan can turn in a good action film and does so in this one, but he lacks experience in the personal and plot side of the film. As a result this film lacks a little depth. The character development is a bit cursory until near the end and the plot seems incidental to the action scenes. As a result the fights dominate the film.

 

Fang, Jing Hau and Chen are trying to catch a gang of thieves who stage violent robberies. One particular armoured truck robbery has killed the fiancée of one officer and he is out for revenge. Another officer’s brother was killed by the gang leader. This young officer, played by Jaycee Chan, has probably the best role. Jaycee does a good job of the young idealistic cop and is possibly the most human character in the film. The others, while well played, seem a little more caricatured. Fortunately Jacky Wu Jing, playing the leader of the gang, does an excellent job of his role and it is his great martial arts skills and quietly understated evil presence that contrasts with Jaycee Chan’s naiveté and saves the film from mediocrity. In spite of this there are still some cheesy moments such as when some of the gang members and cops revaluate their lives in terms of good or evil right in the middle of an extended fire fight.

 

Overall the film tries to have the slick look of a Hong Kong equivalent of Die Hard. Fortunately it fails. There are the compulsory spectacular explosions, shootings, gunfights and extended martial arts scenes, as many as you could want, but the film manages to have a look of its own, not an American copy.

 

In spite of the weaknesses I thoroughly enjoyed the film. As a bit of escapist crime with an ethnic touch it is good viewing.

 

vatribflorish

 

 

Reviews appear on the Synergy website with a single cover image. In the digital and print edition, reviews appear with multiple images and with expanded content. We recommend you download the free digital edition (or buy the print edition) to get the most from Synergy Magazine.

 

This review will appear in Volume 2 No.5 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

 

If you came to this page directly (and missed our menu), click here to go to the front page of Synergy Magazine Website or click the following link:  http://www.synergy-magazine.com