Future Cops (1993) - A Review

 

The infamous Hong Kong take on the Street Fighter characters.

Future Cops is a fantasy comedy movie released in Hong Kong in 1993 and stars Andy Lau, Simon Yam, Jacky Cheung, Dicky Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Ekin Cheng, Billy Chow, Charlie Yeung, Andy Hui, Aaron Kwok, Ken Lo, and Richard Ng. It was written and directed by Wong Jing, with action directed by Tony Ching Siu-Tung. Future Cops features characters based on the video game characters in Street Fighter II.

Dicky Cheung as Chan Tai-hung (left), Andy Hui as Kei-on the bully (right).

In the future, The General (M. Bison, played by Ken Lo) is imprisoned for trying to take over the world. His henchmen, Kent (Ken, played by Ekin Cheng), Thai King (Sagat, played by Billy Chow), and Toyota (E. Honda, played by William Duen) decide to go back in time to 1993 to brainwash the judge that convicted their leader. The Future Cops get wind of the criminals' plans in a battle with them and tell their superior, who sends them to 1993 to protect the future judge. Lung (Ryu, played by Aaron Kwok) stays behind because he is their superior's brother-in-law .

Ti Man (Vega, played by Andy Lau), Broom Man (Guile, played by Jacky Cheung), and Sing (Dhalsim, played by Simon Yam) arrive in 1993 to find that the future judge, Chan Tai Hung (played by Dicky Cheung) is a bit of a loser. He is still in high school, even though he is 28 years old, still lives at home with his mom and sister, and is constantly bullied by everyone at his school. Learning this, they help him stand up to his bullies and become more of a success in school.

As you can imagine, Chan Tai Hung starts evolving as a person, even becoming successful with his crush, Choy Nei (played by Charlie Yeung). Ti Man becomes involved with Tai Hung's sister, Chun May (you can guess who she becomes, played by Chingmy Yau), and Broom Man gets involved with Tai Hung's bully's girlfriend (played by Winnie Lau). Eventually, the bad guys make their presence known, and take over the school. It's up to the Future Cops to level up and stop the General from taking over the world...

The Street Fighters... I mean Future Cops. Yes, that is Simon Yam as Dhalsim (far left) and Jacky Cheung as Guile (far right).

I had heard of Future Cops back in the day after finding out the director of City Hunter (1993) made a 'Street Fighter II' movie. I could never find much information about it, but I saw the odd movie still and trailer here and there. I finally found it on my favorite DVD online store and ordered it (paid for it and everything). It's been close to 20 years and I still haven't gotten it in the mail! As you can imagine, trying to find and watch this movie has been quite the struggle. I finally found the whole movie online, and I watched it. Did it live up to my expectations?

It did not. The director, Wong Jing, is known for making wacky, silly comedies that you either love or hate. I've seen City Hunter (which I liked at first... now I find it too silly) and Last Hero In China (1993, only really liked the action in that one), so I was expecting some zaniness, but... this is just too wacky for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of funny scenes, but there is a lot of annoying things in it, too. It also doesn't help that there are only three action scenes in this movie (and much like the Jean-Claude Van Damme Street Fighter movie, most of the actors don't have martial arts skills). The Street Fighter fight scene in City Hunter is better than all of the fight scenes in Future Cops. It also bothers me that all these grown adult men are pursuing relationships with teenage high school girls.

Despite all of that, there are some good performances in this. Andy Lau is good as the sensitive Vega. Dicky Cheung is likable (for the most part) as the bullied future judge, though he says some horrible things to the people that are laughing at him (it's really messed up). Andy Hui as the main bully is great (as is his hairstyle). It's always great when Charlie Yeung shows up in a movie (though she just plays the love interest). Chingmy Yau is the best thing in this movie; she is just so funny. Richard Ng is in this as well, and of course he's hilarious! There is also an homage to a classic video game that was pretty unexpected!

Ken Lo as M. Bison is an inspired choice. Ken and E. Honda are his henchmen.

As stated above, there are only three main action scenes in Future Cops. Inspired by Street Fighter II: Turbo (I assume), the fights are super sped up with special moves galore. You'll see Hadokens, Spinning Bird Kicks, Hurricane Kicks, Yoga Flames, Sonic Booms, and more. Sound effects from the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom version of Street Fighter II are used in the fight scenes, at least. Despite all that, I can't say the fights were actually good or exciting. They are over the top, but not in a good way. Really disappointing. Some may like the fights, though!

So, do I recommend Future Cops? I would say no, unless you are that much of a Street Fighter fan that you have to consume every type of Street Fighter media. You may also like it if you are looking for a wacky and insane over the top type of movie. As I've said in other reviews: humor is subjective. What's funny to me may not be funny to you, and vice versa. Otherwise, steer clear. This movie is a clear case of cashing in on a phenomenon, without actually paying for the license. I was looking forward to this movie for years, and it broke my heart when I finally watched it. It's not the end of the world. There are three excellent Street Fighter movies in existence (two anime, one live action), so I can watch those for my Street Fighter movie fix. If you still decide to watch Future Cops, go into it with expectations for a crazy comedy and not for an awesome action movie based on a video game.

Reviewed by David Williams

Election 2 (2006) - A Review

 

Election 2 is a dark and grim sequel.

Election 2 (also known as Election 2: Harmony Is A Virtue and Triad Election) is a Triad/crime film released in Hong Kong in 2006 starring Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Simon Yam Tat-Wah, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Nick Cheung Ka-Fai, Lam Suet, Andy On Chi-Kit, Jonathan Lee Yat-Sing, and Wong Tin-Lam. Election 2 was directed by Johnnie To Kei-Fung, with action choreographed by Ling Chun-Pong. Election 2 is a direct continuation of Election (2005).

Louis Koo plays Jimmy Lee, a Triad member who wants to be a legitimate businessman.

In Election 2, Lam Lok's (played by Simon Yam Tat-Wah) two-year term as chairman of the Wo Lin Shing triad is almost up, and there are members who want the position: Kun (played by Gordon Lam Ka-Tung), an overtly aggressive triad member who feels he deserves a chance as chairman after going to jail for helping Lam Lok secure his position; Jet (played by Nick Cheung Ka-Fai), an assassin that Lam Lok has promised to make the next chairman; and Jimmy Lee (played by Louis Koo Tin-Lok), a business-savvy triad member who has a business deal going in mainland China, and wants to become a legitimate businessman. Because of his business success and the massive amount of money he is making for himself and the triad, Jimmy is the top choice for chairman.

Jimmy does not want to become chairman; he wants to move to China with his wife and start a family there. Unfortunately, Jimmy finds out that if he wants to do business in China, he will have to become chairman and help the police keep Wo Lin Shing under control. Jimmy accepts the offer, and then does everything he can to become chairman. While this is going on, we find out that Lam Lok does not want to give up his position, and wants to run for re-election (which is against the rules). Lam Lok does whatever he can to maintain control of the situation while also dealing with his son's (played by Jonathan Lee Yat-Sing) growing delinquency. As you can imagine, betrayals, murders, switching allegiances, and breaking of moral codes abound.

Simon Yam as Lam Lok. He does not want to give up his position as chairman.

Election 2 is a much darker and more violent movie than Election. The previous movie is kind of a set up to this movie (obviously). It is not really necessary to have seen the first movie to enjoy this one, but a lot of the things that happen in this movie hit harder if you've seen the first one. The story is very interesting, with a lot of twists and turns throughout. Power has changed Lam Lok, and he is not really the same person he was in the previous movie. Jimmy Lee goes from someone who wants nothing to do with the Triad life, to someone who become very proficient in Triad tactics. Some of the things Jimmy does shocks even the most hardened Triad members. Simon Yam is great in this, as is Louis Koo, who has a heck of a performance as Jimmy. At first you root for Jimmy, but as the movie goes on, you wonder how far he will go to become chairman.

Power and money corrupts...

 This movie has a lot more action than the first one, though there is only one fight scene once again. The fight involves knives and choppers/machetes. It's a pretty good fight, and once again fits the tone of the movie. Andy On, who is a martial artist, has a role in this movie, but he does not have a major action or fight scene. At least he plays one of the more sympathetic characters. Nonetheless, there is a lot more brutal violence in Election 2. A certain character crosses the line, and his actions shock his allies. This is the most disturbing scene in the movie, for sure.

In conclusion, Election 2 is the violent and gritty conclusion to Lam Lok's and Jimmy Lee's path to chairman. I highly recommend watching this movie. It is well made, well paced, with a very interesting story and characters, and some brutal violence as well. The acting is top notch. Simon Yam and Louis Koo kill it in their roles. This movie has a great soundtrack as well. Check it out, and be prepared for some shocking turns of events. This is another movie where you'll be thinking about it long after it's done.

Reviewed by David Williams

Election (2005) - A Review

 

Election, directed by the great Johnnie To.

Election is a Triad/crime movie released in Hong Kong in 2005, starring Simon Yam Tat-Wah, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Nick Cheung Ka-Fai, Lam Suet, Maggie Siu Mei-Kei, and David Chiang Da-Wei. Election was directed by Johnnie To Kei-Fung, with action choreographed by Wong Chi-Wai.

Simon Yam (at the forefront) as Lam Lok.

In Election, Simon Yam plays Lam Lok, a crime boss who is in contention for the chairman position of the Wo Lin Shing triad, the oldest triad in Hong Kong. He is a quiet, contemplative man, who has a young son, and the support of many triad members and bosses.  He is even-tempered and shows the qualities of a good leader.

Tony Leung Ka-Fai (in the middle) as Big D.

Tony Leung Ka-Fai plays Big D, the other Triad boss in contention for the chairman position of  Wo Lin Shing. He is flashy, cocky, ambitious, and impetuous. He wants the chairman position, and is willing to do anything to win the election. He also has his supporters for the chairman position.

As you can imagine, two totally different personalities up for the chairman position causes a lot of problems within the Triad brotherhood. Lam Lok ends up being elected for Wo Lin Shing chairman, and Big D is not happy about this. Big D commands his Triad members to find the symbolic baton in China (which the chairman possesses throughout his term) and bring it to him. Lam Lok and his fellow higher ups also instruct their members to find the baton before Big D gets it. A lot of betrayals, violence, and intrigue ensues. All Lam Lok wants is to become chairman and bring prosperity to the organization. Big D tells Lam that if he is not elected, he will start a new society, and that there will be a war between their Triad groups. Wo Lin Shing and the Hong Kong police do not want this to happen.

Things get bloody and violent...

I've heard of Election for years, but I never found a physical copy of it back in the early 2000s, so it isn't until now (2022) that I was able to watch it. Knowing that Johnnie To directed it, one of the best directors in Hong Kong, watching this movie comes with a bit of hype to live up to. It did live up to the hype. This is a very good movie! Truthfully, I do not like movies that glamorize criminals or criminal organizations, so I avoid most Triad/Mob/Yakuza movies, but this movie didn't glamorize the Triad at all. At first, it may seem like it does, but eventually, you'll see being in a Triad is not worth it.

The story is very compelling, with an underlying tension running throughout the movie. You never know how certain characters are going to react to certain situations, and it puts the viewer on edge. The performances from all the actors are top notch. Simon Yam as Lam Lok is cool, calm, and collected. You actually root for him throughout. He seems like a good leader. On the other hand, Tony Leung Ka-Fai as Big D is a gigantic, arrogant, overambitious jerk. You see from his actions and reactions to certain situations that he would be a terrible leader. I really did not like his character. There are many betrayals in this movie, and characters switch sides for the good of the brotherhood.

The descriptions of this movie describe it as action-packed, but it really is not. There are bursts of violence and chase scenes, and there is one fight scene. The fight scene is more of the brutal kind, with knives and choppers/machetes involved. In a movie about Triads, there are no guns involved in this one. Still, that fight scene is pretty good and fits the movie's tone.

So, should you watch Election? I would say yes. It is directed by the excellent Johnnie To, and it is really well made. It will have you on the edge of your seat. Though there is not that much action, what action there is, is good. If you have an interest in the criminal underworld, this movie will give you some idea of how Triads work. Apparently, the Triad rituals portrayed in Election are pretty close to accurate. Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-Fai give excellent performances as well. Branch out and check it out, you may like it! I know I did.

Reviewed by David Williams

《边缘行者》/ Man on the Edge 首支预告（任贤齐 / 任达华 / 方中信 / 谭耀文）【预告片先知 - Official Movie Trailer

 Here is the trailer for Man On The Edge, starring Richie Jen, Simon Yam, Sammo Hung, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan, Alex Fong, Karena Lam, Patrick Tam, and Jerry Lamb. It is directed by Sam Wong Ming-Sing and the film is an action/mystery/thriller. Here is the synopsis:

Lok is  a Hong Kong undercover policeman, who struggles in the conspiracy between gangs and the police in order to investigate the truth of gangs’ drug trafficking.

With Sammo Hung and Simon Yam in this, you know I'm watching it! Man On The Edge comes out April 15, 2022! The trailer has no subtitles unfortunately, so enjoy the sights and sounds!

 

Man's Creed (2022) - Movie Trailer

 Check out the trailer for Man's Creed! It stars Simon Yam, Zhang Lanxin, Kenneth Tsang, and Sabrina Qiu. The movie is directed by Richard Lin, and it comes out February 25th, 2022. Unfortunately, I can't find any information on the plot of the movie, but from what's shown in the trailer, it looks really cool!

(The trailer is not subtitled unfortunately. Enjoy the sights and sounds!)