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Long regarded as amateurish in film making terms and only capable of churning out cheap kung fu movies, the Hong Kong film industry is fast growing up. Leading the new age of glossy, exciting, hard and fast action thrillers is director Gordon Chan. Currently filming Jackie Chan's next big movie, "Highbinders", and responsible for the breathtaking "Beast Cops", he also recently directed this Asian smash hit "2000 AD".
The plot is nothing special, but the style and verve of some of the scenes is. Events revolve around a group of criminals determined to wreak a war through corporate and national computer infrastructures. When Aaron Kwok's brother is killed as a result of this gang, he goes after them in what is essentially a revenge thriller.
Perhaps the one complaint is that the pacing is not quite tight enough. That said, it's a big improvement over many other outwardly similar Hong Kong films and when Gordon Chan directs action, it's tough, fast, and beautiful to watch.
Hands up who's sick of seeing those endless John-Woo-inspired slow-motion shootouts in every other action film these days? The antidote is to be found in "2000 AD". The gun battles featured here really are exciting, with tension as to the fate of the characters always at the forefront, rather than the seemingly random gun exchanges that other movies tote.
It's clear that Chan is out to entertain in nearly every scene and combined with a good music score, some impressive CGI effects, and an energetic, good-looking cast, he often succeeds. There's no doubt that on the strength of this action thriller, Gordon Chan is a name to watch in the future.
Check out our "2000 AD" mini-site.
Read a review of the DVD.
