It's only January and there is already a serious contender for the best Asian action movie of 2012. That film is from HK and stars Asian superstar J.C.. But no, it's not Jackie Chan. It's Jay Chou who is in the film. Now please wait... before your anti-GREEN HORNET sentiment takes over and makes you stop reading, please take note that the film - THE VIRAL FACTOR - also stars Nicholas Tse (NEW POLICE STORY, SHAOLIN, BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS) and is directed by Hong Kong action maestro Dante Lam (BEAST COP, BEAST STALKER, STOOL PIGEON). Plus it is the kind of cool action films that Jackie Chan was making in the 90s.
Dante Lam is on a red-hot streak right now. His recent films BEAST STALKER and STOOL PIGEON have given him recognition both locally and abroad, as well as solid box office earnings across Asia. THE VIRAL FACTOR is the director's most expensive film to date, and may be the best chance he has yet to become more well known to Western audiences. While the reported production cost of US$17 million is modest by Hollywood standards, it is already a massive budget in Asia. And it is definitely money well spent (or as the film's investors would say, 'great value for money'), as the director has created a thrillingly explosive, visceral action-packed spectacle. There are literally non-stop chases, explosions, fist fights and gun battles from the start to the end of the film. These action sequences are simply top notch, whether it is by Hollywood or Asian standard.
The lead actors Nicholas Tse and Jay Chou both give solid performances. They not only carry out many of the daring stunts themselves, but also inject some emotions into the film through its dramatic scenes. The family drama actually turns out to be as interesting as the viral threat, helped by the brilliant support from Liu Kai-chi and Elaine Jin playing the parents. Nic Tse is also quite outstanding, and shows that he has really grown over the years into an incredibly good actor. With the increasing success of his films, those fans who miss his music (admittedly myself included - Nic has pretty much put his music career on hold) may sadly have to wait even longer to see and hear the talented musician perform again.
THE VIRAL FACTOR is not without flaws, however. There are plot holes as well as unlikely plotlines. Also, the motives of the villain Sean (played by Andy On) behind all these crimes are unclear, as he certainly comes across a lot more menacing, dangerous, intelligent and skilled than the man he calls boss. One does not get a lot of time to think through these things though, as the film moves forward with such a breakneck pace and the action scenes will certainly keep your mind occupied.
With THE VIRAL FACTOR, Dante Lam has added yet another awesome film to his already fantastic filmography, and it is a pleasure to see the way he handles a big budget blockbuster. His globetrotting adventure is epic in scale and impresses at multiple levels, and is certainly one of the best action movies of recent years to come from the once thriving Hong Kong film industry. Here's hoping it can bounce back into form like the Taiwanese film industry has in the past few years; and with directors like Dante Lam and works like THE VIRAL FACTOR, there is certainly a lot of hope on the horizon.
THE VIRAL FACTOR is distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Dream Movie. It is currently showing in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland.
More from The Viral Factor
- Reviews: Blu-ray Review: THE VIRAL FACTOR (Hong Kong Version)
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I still don't understand the Green Hornet hate.
In Chou's defense, he had no creative input in the Green Hornet film. If there's anything to blame on that one is the direction, the script and the lead actor.
Chou's the best thing in The Green Hornet, I'd say, with Christoph Waltz a step behind.
Oh and next time you write a review about a film starring Nicholas Tse and Jay Chou , You should talk about the TSE first hes better and demands his proper recognition. TSEFANSINCE'99 ! ! !
Here's the trailer...
http://youtu.be/dDoAmK7daKw
sorry, Hugo. totally disagree. the script is worse than terrible, the action sequences unbearably overblown and incoherent, especially the night scene where Jay escaped from the hospital, and when you can't tell who's fighting who, you stop caring.
SPOILERS:
dont tell me you didn't notice this - Jay's character just happens to be on the same plane as the doc who's researching the virus. then he happens to see a different driver in her minivan and get embroiled in the whole affair. then he just happens to run into his long-lost dad on the streets of Malaysia. then the bad guy just happens to be his long-lost brother. and then ... this is the best one yet ... he just happens to be having a coffee or something right outside the ACDC where Nicholas Tse and gang are stealing the virus!
coincidences and deus ex machina can be tolerated if they really really work in the story, but that many coincidences make the script lazy and bad. and there's nothing unique about Dante Lam's direction either. HK action flicks have always been unique and in a style of their own, but Lam here merely apes the Hollywood shaky cam, fast-cut and zoom style. and that's not even a good aspect of Hollywood movies to copy.
Can't say I hated it but i was disappointed, especially because Stool Pigeon was a really great surprise (thanks to Twitch), but this reliance on coincidence, and ties between cops and robbers, is getting a bit old after only the fourth Lam ive seen.