Chasing the Dragon

Inspired by a true story, this Chinese crime epic from prolific filmmaker Wong Jing charts the rise and fall of two notorious gangsters who thrived in the rampant corruption during Britain's colonial rule of Hong Kong in the 1960s. Martial arts star Donnie Yen is cast against type as Crippled Ho, the Chinese immigrant who became a drug kingpin, and Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau is police detective Lee Rock, who centralized the system of graft as he rose through the ranks. Like American gangster dramas, the bad guys are also likable antiheroes and the film tends to overlook their actions in order to focus on the themes of loyalty and brotherhood between them, especially as they bristle under the ultimate control of the arrogant and bigoted British officials. The story spans 10 years and features both an impressive recreation of 1960s Hong Kong and some great fight sequences. While there's not much nuance to be found in Chasing the Dragon, the dignity of Yen and the magnetic charisma of Lau lend the film star power, and the big, bold conflicts recall the dynamics of the classic Hong Kong gangster dramas of John Woo. An impressive crime thriller featuring spectacle, history, and a touch of politics, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)