5. FULL CONTACT (1992)
High-octane action and dazzling visuals. Hong Kong movies – and action movies in general – owe much to this film. Hong Kong’s most versatile director Ringo Lam takes on Woo’s action sequences head-on, and collides with this vivid cinematic explosion.
Chow Yun-fat plays a bouncer in a club, who in order to save his friend Anthony Wong from a local shark agrees to collaborate with Simon Yam, a camp but extremely murderous gang leader, on a heist. Betrayed and left for dead, Chow wants revenge. A reserved performance from Chow, much like that he gave in Crouching Tiger allows his co-stars free room to manoeuvre, both Wong and Yam turning in fine performances. Particularly Yam who has the most fun – referring to how beautiful Chow’s eyes are!
The ‘bulletcam’ sequence – the penultimate shootout between Chow and Yam in a nightclub – follows bullet after bullet POV, through walls, fishtanks and heads. Incredible when it was first screened, it’s now been much copied both in Asia and the west – but never bettered. (Showing how equally the pair are matched the first bullets they fire at each other collide!)
Despite being highly stylised, Lam never leaves behind the intelligence he always brings to the writing of his characters. Sadly Lam is best known for making this movie so all his American films have followed this style – unfortunately with Jean Claude Van Damme in the lead!
ALSO RECOMMENDED
City On Fire (1987)
Lam’s first collaboration with Chow and costarring Danny Lee, you’ll probably know this better as Reservoir Dogs. There’s no ‘Like a Virgin’ or ‘Why Do I Have to be Mr. Pink?’ speeches, but this is still far superior.
Prison On Fire (1987)
Chow and Tony Leung Ka-wai star in one of the grittest and best ever prison dramas. Again, Reservoir Dogs fans may recognise the inspiration of it’s famous ear scene.
Wild Search (1990)
It was a tough choice between Full Contact and this, particularly as they are so different. A heartwarming, beautiful film.
Victim (1999)
Has (the always brilliant) Lau Ching Wan really been possessed? Chillingly atmospheric, you’ll be kept on your toes as much as it’s central character detective played by Tony Leung Ka-wai.
