I’ve been on a bit of a Nick Cheung spell since last week having only recently been able to import a Hong Kong blu-ray of Dante Lam’s MMA action drama, Unbeatable, and reliving his role opposite Louis Koo and Sean Lau in the late Benny Chan’s The White Storm. Cheung is one of today’s most formidable film stars and you can certainly gather as much from his 2004 flick in which he stars opposite a charmingly menacing Richie Jen and a stern and bristling Kelly Chen in Breaking News, another you can throw in your list of whats-what faves in modern Hong Kong action.
Hailing from director Johnnie To out of his Milkyway Films banner, To’s Cannes-selected 2004 hit crime thriller pits killers and thieves against law enforcement in a battle of both wits and will that explodes across the city and spills into the confines and dark halls of an apartment complex. To’s filmmaking mechanics go hard on this one, especially with the first eight minutes leading up to the film’s first shootout between CID and a small band of thieves, leading to a chase that envelopes the topical subject matter of media as both sides of the law move to influence public perception throughout the film.
This film is adrenaline-fueled, edgy and topped off with intrigue and complex characterization that lend pure credence to the film’s script and delivery in all its dimensions. It’s gonna keep you on your toes with all eyes on the action and suspense and waiting with baited breath until the end.
Watch Breaking News on Hi-YAH! or buy or rent the film wherever movies are sold on disc or digital.
