The trailer definitely sells the action, but for an adaptation of a Korean thriller with darker characters, a lot of this feels a lot more comical than it probably should. Maybe some subtitles would fare better with context and maybe we’ll see that happen shortly after the film’s August 18 China release.
Sweet Alibi helmer Lien Yi-Chi’s latest, Peace Breaker, is officially stamped for an August 18 release in China and a new official trailer is making the rounds. Those keen on Asian cinema will find themselves in familiar territory, with this particular story – taking cues from its hit 2014 South Korean predecessor, A Hard Day, in which a morally bent detective, in the wake of a family member’s death, tries to cover up an accidental crime only to find himself in deeper and deadlier straits.
You know the old saying “crime doesn’t pay, right?”. Well, underlying sardonic messaging there in Kim Seoung-Hun’s acclaimed 2014 crime thriller, A Hard Day, served amply instrumental in its seething and searing delivery with Lee Sun-Kyun starring and ultimatley carrying the film in its festival uproar. Three years later and it might feel a bit sudden for some, although judging by how you choose to perceive Sweet Alibi helmer Lien Yi-Chi’s craft, his latest treatment on the property with Peace Breaker might do some justice.
For this, we get Aaron Kwok taking the reigns opposite Brotherhood Of Blades star, actor Wang Qianyuan filling Cho Jin-Woong’s shoes for the story of a morally bent cop who, in the wake of a family member’s death, tries to cover up an accidental crime only to find himself in throes of a mysterious man holding him hostage from afar. What ensues is some pretty biting tension and high-speed action and thrills all culminating into that very aforementioned irony I spoke of. It’s pretty comedic in its darkness and toxicity and you’re more than welcome to watch the original as a preamble to see how this one might measure up.
The first official trailer arrived this week for the film’s August 18 release in China. Check it out below along with character posters featuring both actors, and actress Liu Tao.
PEACE BREAKER – Stills And Posters
