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.
Świetna recenzja! Ciekawi mnie, jak film łączy elementy akcji z głębszymi przesłaniami. Wygląda na to, że 'Twilight of the Warriors' oferuje nie tylko dynamiczne sceny walki, ale też refleksję nad bohaterstwem i poświęceniem. Jakie były Wasze ulubione momenty z filmu? Czy uważacie, że postacie są odpowiednio rozwinięte?
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