Drug War (2013)
Studio: Beijing Hairun Pictures, Milkyway Image Ltd.Distributed By: Well Go USA EntertainmentTheatrical Release: July 26, 2013 (North America)Blu Ray Release: October 15, 2013Director: Johnnie ToRating: R
Reviewed By James M. Dubs
On October 15, 2013, Well Go USA Entertainment will bring Director Johnnie To's Drug War (Du zhan) to American audiences via blu-ray and DVD. To, who is perhaps best known for his Hong Kong films Election and Sparrow, set out to make his first "Mainland China action film." Does the change of scene impact the Director's signature style? More importantly, is Drug War worthy of purchase, rental, or should you just skip it all together?
Film [Rating: 3.5]
Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) is a meth cook and dealer. After a cataclysmic meltdown at the lab leaves Timmy disfigured, kills his staff, nearly kills Timmy, and exposes him to the outside world, he is hospitalized and consequently apprehended by Captain Zhang Lei (Sun Honglei). During an interrogation, Zhang explains to Timmy that manufacturing just 50 grams of methamphetamine is an automatic death sentence. In Timmy Choi's case, he's produced the stuff by the tons. Timmy's only chance for life is to redeem himself in the eyes of Zhang, cooperate with law enforcement, and help bring down the vast network of high-level drug cartel bosses. But can Zhang trust Timmy?
The plot and formula is tired and nothing new, but even though the film never breaks new ground in the "bad-guy gets caught and is forced to help the cops" action thriller, there's still a lot to like. For starters, Drug War wastes little time with set-up and jumps right into the thick of the action. Director Johnnie To is masterful at setting a deliberate pace that leaps forward from the first frame, barely easing on the tension throughout the 106 minute run. I was engaged and enthralled throughout, leaving little doubt that I was on a fun ride from beginning to end.
The script isn't perfect, but what works are a series of increasingly dangerous and complicated scenarios and coos that Zhang and Timmy must confront and maneuver together. As they go deeper and deeper undercover the tension rises from ever increasing complications and there is always the nagging question of whether or not Timmy will turn on Zhang.
The acting is quite superb. Louis Koo and Sun Honglei carry almost all of the dramatic beats from beginning to end, but the supporting cast deserve their just praise as well. The script does not offer much in the way of back-story for the cast to reference, but the performances, coupled with great direction by To, give the characters just enough credibility to keep up momentum. Sun Honglei's performance as Captain Zhang is especially noteworthy. During one of the first undercover operations, Zhang and Timmy must intercept a meeting between a cartel dealer and the owner of a transport shipping yard. In order for the task to be successful, Zhang must play the part and impersonate two distinct personalities during separate meetings so that each criminal is unsuspecting of the infiltration. It is great fun to watch Sun Honglei perform his version of both drug dealer and shipping yard manager and then slip right back into Captain Zhang.
Unfortunately, a number of details prevents Drug War from being anything other than simple popcorn fun. For starters, because the action and plot are at the forefront of this ride, little to no time is spent getting to know the characters. Captain Zhang is your typical tough-as-nails bad-ass, but what motivates him or drives him to the film's conclusion is a mystery. We learn a little more about Timmy Choi, but only a very little. The same goes for the rest of the ensemble. Depending on your point of view this may or may not be problematic, but it serves as an example of a missed opportunity to develop the film into something more meaningful or dramatic. Because we don't know the characters any deeper than their external surroundings, we never have an opportunity to develop any empathy and remain too detached from them when anyone gets injured or even killed.
Another problem I had with Drug War is the sudden shift the film takes in the third act. In the first two acts, time and energy are put into the cat/mouse dynamic between cops and criminals. Much of the tension centers around how, or even if, Zhang will be able to strategically out think and out maneuver his foes. The third act devolves into a standard rough and tumble, shoot-em-up action piece where strategy gives way to brute force violence. I'm typically not one to complain about action and violence, but to use a crude analogy, it feels a bit like you've been watching a tense poker game between two very smart and capable bluffers. Before the final card is dealt to see who has the best strategy, the players figuratively leave the table and start boxing instead. Even though the film comes to an acceptable resolution, I still felt disappointed that the game of wits was abandoned for a typical bang-zoom-pow finale.
And speaking of brute force violence, I've seen a lot of comments about how the film suffers from "Mainland China censorship" and that Johnnie To's signature action sequences were somehow hindered by this. I will agree that To most likely had to alter some aspects of his style to reach a broader audience, however I personally don't subscribe to this notion that more violence would make this movie better. When others say "violence" they actually mean "blood" because there is plenty of actual violence to go around. When someone gets hit by a car, just because they don't explode like a watermelon, it doesn't make the act of running someone over less violent. The film may not be as bloody as Pulp Fiction or have the lasting resonance of The French Connection, but the narrative remains intact, strong, and it is a darn fun movie to watch.
Video & Audio [Rating: 4]
Drug War arrives on Blu-ray with a solid high definition presentation. Well Go USA's transfer displays Cinematographer Cheng Siu-keung’s picture accurately. Generally, the image appears very clean, whether in bright, naturally lit scenes, or darker, shadowed interrogations. Cheng Sui-keung also makes great use of shadow and color with each location, aiding Johnnie To in developing the overall aesthetic and feel of the story.
Audio options are limited to a Mandarin language, 5.1 DTS HD surround mix with English subtitles, but frankly that's enough. There is nice dynamic range with the mix, from the smallest click of handcuffs, to the frenetic pop and pow of gunshots. Audiophiles and casual listeners should be equally pleased.
Extras [Rating: 0]
Aside from previews for upcoming Well Go USA releases, there are zero special features.
Overall [Rating: 2]
To be honest, there are a host of other things that I could criticize the film for, but I won't. Ultimately, I decided to enjoy the film at face value and stop looking for deeper meaning in the narrative. If you approach the film in this manner I think you'll end up having a lot of fun. Long time Johnnie To's fans shouldn't be disappointed with Drug War and may be willing to drop some greenbacks for the visually impressive but bare bones release from Well Go USA. For the casual fan, I recommend a disc or on-demand rental before committing to purchase.
Reviewed By James M. Dubs
On October 15, 2013, Well Go USA Entertainment will bring Director Johnnie To's Drug War (Du zhan) to American audiences via blu-ray and DVD. To, who is perhaps best known for his Hong Kong films Election and Sparrow, set out to make his first "Mainland China action film." Does the change of scene impact the Director's signature style? More importantly, is Drug War worthy of purchase, rental, or should you just skip it all together?
Film [Rating: 3.5]
Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) is a meth cook and dealer. After a cataclysmic meltdown at the lab leaves Timmy disfigured, kills his staff, nearly kills Timmy, and exposes him to the outside world, he is hospitalized and consequently apprehended by Captain Zhang Lei (Sun Honglei). During an interrogation, Zhang explains to Timmy that manufacturing just 50 grams of methamphetamine is an automatic death sentence. In Timmy Choi's case, he's produced the stuff by the tons. Timmy's only chance for life is to redeem himself in the eyes of Zhang, cooperate with law enforcement, and help bring down the vast network of high-level drug cartel bosses. But can Zhang trust Timmy?
The plot and formula is tired and nothing new, but even though the film never breaks new ground in the "bad-guy gets caught and is forced to help the cops" action thriller, there's still a lot to like. For starters, Drug War wastes little time with set-up and jumps right into the thick of the action. Director Johnnie To is masterful at setting a deliberate pace that leaps forward from the first frame, barely easing on the tension throughout the 106 minute run. I was engaged and enthralled throughout, leaving little doubt that I was on a fun ride from beginning to end.
The script isn't perfect, but what works are a series of increasingly dangerous and complicated scenarios and coos that Zhang and Timmy must confront and maneuver together. As they go deeper and deeper undercover the tension rises from ever increasing complications and there is always the nagging question of whether or not Timmy will turn on Zhang.
The acting is quite superb. Louis Koo and Sun Honglei carry almost all of the dramatic beats from beginning to end, but the supporting cast deserve their just praise as well. The script does not offer much in the way of back-story for the cast to reference, but the performances, coupled with great direction by To, give the characters just enough credibility to keep up momentum. Sun Honglei's performance as Captain Zhang is especially noteworthy. During one of the first undercover operations, Zhang and Timmy must intercept a meeting between a cartel dealer and the owner of a transport shipping yard. In order for the task to be successful, Zhang must play the part and impersonate two distinct personalities during separate meetings so that each criminal is unsuspecting of the infiltration. It is great fun to watch Sun Honglei perform his version of both drug dealer and shipping yard manager and then slip right back into Captain Zhang.
Unfortunately, a number of details prevents Drug War from being anything other than simple popcorn fun. For starters, because the action and plot are at the forefront of this ride, little to no time is spent getting to know the characters. Captain Zhang is your typical tough-as-nails bad-ass, but what motivates him or drives him to the film's conclusion is a mystery. We learn a little more about Timmy Choi, but only a very little. The same goes for the rest of the ensemble. Depending on your point of view this may or may not be problematic, but it serves as an example of a missed opportunity to develop the film into something more meaningful or dramatic. Because we don't know the characters any deeper than their external surroundings, we never have an opportunity to develop any empathy and remain too detached from them when anyone gets injured or even killed.
Another problem I had with Drug War is the sudden shift the film takes in the third act. In the first two acts, time and energy are put into the cat/mouse dynamic between cops and criminals. Much of the tension centers around how, or even if, Zhang will be able to strategically out think and out maneuver his foes. The third act devolves into a standard rough and tumble, shoot-em-up action piece where strategy gives way to brute force violence. I'm typically not one to complain about action and violence, but to use a crude analogy, it feels a bit like you've been watching a tense poker game between two very smart and capable bluffers. Before the final card is dealt to see who has the best strategy, the players figuratively leave the table and start boxing instead. Even though the film comes to an acceptable resolution, I still felt disappointed that the game of wits was abandoned for a typical bang-zoom-pow finale.
And speaking of brute force violence, I've seen a lot of comments about how the film suffers from "Mainland China censorship" and that Johnnie To's signature action sequences were somehow hindered by this. I will agree that To most likely had to alter some aspects of his style to reach a broader audience, however I personally don't subscribe to this notion that more violence would make this movie better. When others say "violence" they actually mean "blood" because there is plenty of actual violence to go around. When someone gets hit by a car, just because they don't explode like a watermelon, it doesn't make the act of running someone over less violent. The film may not be as bloody as Pulp Fiction or have the lasting resonance of The French Connection, but the narrative remains intact, strong, and it is a darn fun movie to watch.
Video & Audio [Rating: 4]
Drug War arrives on Blu-ray with a solid high definition presentation. Well Go USA's transfer displays Cinematographer Cheng Siu-keung’s picture accurately. Generally, the image appears very clean, whether in bright, naturally lit scenes, or darker, shadowed interrogations. Cheng Sui-keung also makes great use of shadow and color with each location, aiding Johnnie To in developing the overall aesthetic and feel of the story.
Audio options are limited to a Mandarin language, 5.1 DTS HD surround mix with English subtitles, but frankly that's enough. There is nice dynamic range with the mix, from the smallest click of handcuffs, to the frenetic pop and pow of gunshots. Audiophiles and casual listeners should be equally pleased.
Extras [Rating: 0]
Aside from previews for upcoming Well Go USA releases, there are zero special features.
Overall [Rating: 2]
To be honest, there are a host of other things that I could criticize the film for, but I won't. Ultimately, I decided to enjoy the film at face value and stop looking for deeper meaning in the narrative. If you approach the film in this manner I think you'll end up having a lot of fun. Long time Johnnie To's fans shouldn't be disappointed with Drug War and may be willing to drop some greenbacks for the visually impressive but bare bones release from Well Go USA. For the casual fan, I recommend a disc or on-demand rental before committing to purchase.
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