(Hong Kong 2010) 

Original Title: Mit Moon 滅門 (aka) King Of Triads

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Directed by Dennis Law Produced by Dennis Law Action by Nicky Li, Hung Kai Sen Starring: Simon Yam, Andy On, Ken Lo, Xiong Xin Xin, Michael Chan Wai Man, Jiang Liu Xia, Bernice Liu, Pinky Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Chris Lai, Lam Suet, Jack Wong

Reviewing: BonZai Taiwanese DVD Release Genres: Martial Arts / Thriller / Triad

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Rating - 3.5 / 5

DVD Synopsis: Crime lord Lok Cheung On (Eddie Cheung) runs a smuggling ring in Hong Kong. He gets caught during a failed counterfeit money operation in Mainland China and is executed. After he's gone, a deadly struggle for power breaks out within the gang, with a series of murders and assassinations aimed at members of the Lok clan. One by one, the various sons and daughters, and wives and mistresses, brothers and cousins fall as they turn on each other in paranoia. The overbearing Simon Yam, the seemingly benign Bernice Liu, the crippled Andy On, the gentle Chris Lai, or the mysterious dumb girl Jiang Luxia – any of them could be the mastermind behind all the ruthless killings – or his/her next victim. (91 Mins)

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Views: Dennis Law's triad-action-thriller kicks off running as a group of gangsters are chased through the streets by a large number of policemen. Dressed in Red-Ex uniforms to pass as delivery men, the gang includes the great Simon Yam, super-kickers Ken Lo and Xiong Xin Xin (Hung Yan Yan), gang boss Eddie Cheung, and the handsome Andy On. Backed into a scrap yard, the men split with Simon and Eddie escaping with a package as the rest hold back the cops with a number of impressive moves. The package in question holds two copper plates used for counterfeiting – something that their boss wants in his possession. While on the run, Eddie Cheung suddenly gets hit by a truck which leaves him flat on his back and surrounded by the police. Watching from afar, Funky (Simon Yam), stays out of sight and soon makes his way to join the rest who have since met with Zen – the more mature member of the gang, played by the one-and-only Michael Chan Wai Man (who sports an incredibly dreadful wig). It doesn't take long for Cheung to be led to his execution, leaving the gangsters short of a leader and a lot of tension among its members. Expecting to take over the role of her father, Audrey (played by Chinese/Candian actress Bernice Liu) invites her brother (Chris Lai) home for the reading of the will – something that sees them benefit from having everything left to them, all except the desired role as head of the family. That job goes to Simon, whose immediate demands anger more than a few contenders for the throne. As gang members start getting killed off and Audrey's brother dies in a car bomb, life in the crime family starts to get deadly as Audrey sets out for revenge and attempts to take control of the family, no matter what the cost!

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Dennis Law has forever received nothing but bad criticism for his films – most of which do have an element of entertainment in them. He's one of the few Hong Kong directors that actually tries hard to recreate the very much-missed, golden-age of Hong Kong action-cinema, though often with flawed results. After studying film in LA, Law went on to work in real estate before Bad Blood presenter Charles Heung, coaxed him back into the movie world. Dennis worked as a producer with Johnnie To for a bit, before setting out on his own journey as a writer and director. And while both of these subjects have never been his strong point, Dennis still gets the job done, and more often than not with a great cast and crew involved, along with some pretty sweet moments that help save most of his films from being a complete car-crash...

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And while it has its flaws, there are plenty of positives here in Bad Blood, with Law securing the services of his old friend (and one of my favourite directors), Herman Yau, as the film's DOP. Of course, there's that great cast he secured once again, marred by the fact that he doesn't really put the majority of his bigger-named stars to good use. Most of the greater moments are given to Andy On, Bernice Liu, and Jiang Lu Xia, with the likes of Simon Yam, Ken Lo, and Chan Wai Man coming across as very theatrical and OTT for the most part. This is all down to the script, which was written by Law himself in his typically straightforward – but very flat – way. I guess the biggest positive of Bad Blood, and what saves it, is the fight scenes which offer some of the most exciting and brilliantly choreographed action of 2010 thanks to JC Stunt Team member, Nicky Li. Having worked with Law on Fatal Contact and Fatal Move, Li once again delivers some amazing martial-arts-action joined by Huang Kai Sen, who has worked on many great movies as an actor and action-director, such as Invisible Target, Rob-B-Hood, Kiss Of The Dragon, and Black Mask. They prove to make a great team as most of the action in Bad Blood tends to be its most memorable parts. Highlights for me include the fight between Andy On and Xiong Xin Xin in the gym, the car-park fight where Andy and Jiang take on Chain Wai Man, Ken Lo, and 30 men – and any of the action scenes that shows Jiang Lu Xia, simply kicking ass.

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While the fight for the throne may have served as the main story of the film, the sub-plot with Andy On and his mute friend, played by his True Legend co-star Jiang Lu Xia, was much more interesting. Aside from enjoying some one-on-one fights, the pair like to ride around town at night on their motorcycle, picking out gangs to fight against in a bizarre training method. It makes for a lot of great action and is close to the late 80's/early 90's Hong Kong style of film-making we all miss. With a hint of unspoken romance between them, I would like to have seen more of these two in the story overall. But alas, this crime-thriller is also known as the King Of Triads for a reason, although more notably should have been named Queen Of Triads, due to Bernice Liu's role as the twisted-sister Audrey. I haven't seen a lot of Bernice, and while her acting may be a little poor at times, her portrayal of Audrey is quite good. She definitely impressed in the action department also, landing a few neat moves against her opponents in the most brutal ways – although taking down some incredible fighters far too easily in my eyes...

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Overall: Once you get past the flaws, Bad Blood features some fantastic martial-arts-action and stunts that will get any Hong Kong film fans excited!