Killers From Beijing (2000)

Triad troubles in Hong Kong see a gangster named White Chick (Lau) head to Somewhere in China to find hitmen. His boss Mr Tseung wants rival gang leader Kingkong rubbed out and professionals are needed for the hit. With help from local guide Worm (Leung), Chick stumbles across four ex-soldiers - Cat (Tam), Muichoi (Tong), Wan (Chin) and Pig-skin - brawling on the street. The guys are kung-fu wizzes and are just the ticket. The four are approached and get convinced to go to Hong Kong for the job. But when they arrive Hong Kong, their task turns out more complicated than they expected.

Occasional moments of confident filmmaking and thoughtful compositions pass by in Killers From Beijing but are let down by the unsatisfying scenarios and bleak plot. Action scenes rely on snappy editing rather than choreography for visual flair. One gun battle on a street appears so dull that even bystanders on the pavement seem to be ignoring the goings-on. Annie Man playing Cat's love back in the mainland makes for a relatively interesting diversion from the proceedings but the story as whole is rarely upbeat or pleasing. With far too little light thrown against its shade, it's a challenge for viewers to leave the cinema feeling happy. Not recommended.

Killers From Beijing hand-painted billboard at the Ritz Theatre

Credits:

Directed by Bowie Lau
Starring Patrick Tam, Michael Tong, Chin Kar-lok, Tuen Wai-lung, Annie Man, Kenneth Lau and Samuel Leung