Brick by Brick: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024) Review

Director: Soi Cheang

Notable Cast: Raymond Lam, Louis Koo, Terrance Lau, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Philip Ng, Richie Jen, Sammo Hung, Kenny Wong Tak-Ban, Aaron Kwok, Fish Liew

 

Director Soi Cheang is on a roll.

After he dropped the long-awaited sequel SPL2: A Time for Consequences almost 10 years ago, renamed Killzone 2 for its US release, Soi Cheang took a wild detour to film two Monkey King movies. Although those films are entertaining, one must wonder if Soi Cheang’s career would be completely derailed by massive blockbuster fantasy.

Yet, he pulled a 180 from that for two films in a row by dropping the award-winning thrillers Limbo and Mad Fate over the last couple of years. It’s a shift that truly indicates just how talented he is as a director. Not only did he direct one of the best modern Hong Kong action films with SPL2, but Limbo was one of the best neo-noirs of recent memory. 

 

With all that being said, the hype for his return to martial arts action was through the roof, and the initial word of mouth was incredibly strong for that return, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. And the word of mouth is correct. Walled In is the kind of blockbuster-level martial arts actioner that will be synonymous with the director. It’s big and brash in its narrative, powered by a slew of incredible performances, and features some of the most kinetic and brutal action in the last decade. Walled In is a brilliant blend of old-school personality with modern execution. It’s the best action film of the year by a walled-in mile. 

 

Although Walled In is a film set in 1980s Hong Kong and features a dynamic recreation of the Kowloon Walled City, don’t expect a period drama about economic strife, immigration, and the communities built around those social commentaries. Those are all aspects of the plot and narrative, particularly in how the film follows an immigrant in Hong Kong who’s desperate to get papers and ends up in the Walled City and on the wrong side of a Triad. Still, this film takes a borderline fantastical approach to it all. Sure, there’s a heart in its “historical” setting, and I’m sure that some of this comes from the book/comic book that this movie is based on, but Cheang smartly gives everything an almost mystical slant that allows the film to play with its style and approach to its material. 

 

This choice allows the film to combine its heartfelt sentiments, which circle brotherhood, familial bonds of chosen family, and fighting for your place in the world, with over-the-top characters and bombastic, physics-defying action. The combination strikes with the fury of a thousand fists. And while the film is littered with those over-the-top characters, Walled In always remembers to give them character arcs to drive the narrative. Raymond Lam’s Lok might be the audience surrogate and main character to introduce us to the world of warring gangsters in the Walled City. Still, the film never forgets to embellish the world with fantastic characters. His three ‘brothers’ all represent various aspects of the fighting spirit of these trodden people. His father figure, Cyclone - played with a film-stealing performance from Louis Koo, gets the strongest character arc of all, particularly in how his relationship with the villainous Mr. Big, played by Sammo Hung, ends up playing out throughout the film. Heroes or villains, but Walled In is slammed with instantly memorable characters and a fantastic villainous turn for Philip Ng, so the world feels vibrant and full. 

 

Then of course, there’s the action. One of the greatest modern action choreographers, Kenji Tanigaki, shows up in spades here. Whether it’s the brutal finale that spills out onto the rooftops of the Walled City or the introduction of Cyclone, which features one of the greatest cigarette flicks of all time, Walled In demonstrates some of the best modern Hong Kong action. Tonality-wise, the film blends wire work with classic basher combat and moments where “shapes” of various styles are used. The previously mentioned fantastical element makes it so various characters' increased power or speed doesn’t feel out of place. However, there’s still a grounded storytelling aspect to each action sequence that keeps the narrative moving. It’s gorgeously staged, fantastically delivered, and fist-pumping in its entertainment value. It’s the best kind of martial arts action. 

 

Truly, Soi Cheang is at the top of his game. Considering two more films have already been announced in this franchise, it’s safe to say that Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In has found its audience. It’s justified. The film is one of Soi Cheang’s best, blending its hard-hitting action with fantastical slants, brilliantly crafted characters, and enough action to drop action fans’ jaws to the floor. Not only is this the best action film of the year, it’s the best film of the year…period. 

 

Written By Matt Malpica Reifschneider