Killers from Beijing
Director: Bowie Lau Bo-yin
Year: 2000
Rating: 5.0
If they had shortened
this film to an hour running time, this would have been a fairly solid low
budget action film. Instead though director Bowie Lau (Electrical Girl) pads
the film with lengthy scenes of the actors chewing up the set with melodramatic
monologues and long, moody silences. No doubt the actors probably enjoyed
these opportunities to show their acting ability, but towards the end there
is so much talking – along with one of the longest death scenes in a film
this or any year – that you want to just shout out to them to shut up and
shoot somebody.
Four friends (Patrick Tam, Chin Kar-lok, Michael Tong and Tuen Wai-lun) are
let go from the Chinese army for being a bit rough during training exercises.
When Brother Chick (Ma Tak Chung) comes from Hong Kong with a proposition
that they kill a rival triad leader, they hesitate before reluctantly accepting.
They really want no part of a criminal life, but the promise of a big payoff
is one they can’t refuse. And a trip to Hong Kong of course!
In Hong Kong they become typical tourists looking to buy good food, cheap
vcds and a relaxing hostess bar. It is rather enjoyable watching the scenes
of them walking through the streets of Hong Kong because these four actors
are recognized by nearly every one they pass by and so everyone in the scene
is turning their head and intently watching them. Just four anonymous guys
in Hong Kong! Brother Chick introduces them to his boss – Tseung – who is
a complete sleaze and not very bright either. Not only did he openly seduce
Brother Chick’s wife (“We’re brothers, what does it matter. She is only a
woman”), but he tells the foursome that they are only “dogs I buy” and throws
money at them. Probably not the wisest thing to do to four professional killers.
The killing is easy. Walk up the stairs, guns at your side, shoot everyone
in slow motion. Like a walk in the park. Don’t even raise a sweat. The setting
is a negotiating dinner between Tseung and the man they have been paid to
kill. They take out their target with a shot to the head – but Tseung is
just standing there – much too tempting – like a turkey that doesn’t realize
that it is Christmas day- much to his surprise they kill him too. The killing
is simple – getting back to the Mainland is a different matter. With the
cops waiting for them back at their hideout, they begin to realize that maybe
someone has sold them out – and soon the chances of getting back home look
very remote. Appearing also is Annie Man as Tam’s girlfriend, William Ho
as the Village Head and Samuel Leung as Worm.
The film has potential – the chemistry between the four friends is good and
some of the action is entertaining, but it drags badly at times – it is nearly
45 minutes before the first action scene – and becomes increasingly absurd
and unbelievable towards the end. The less than intelligent behavior of the
crew becomes a bit irritating as well – with everyone trying to kill them
and a boat waiting for them, they stop to buy vcds! Of course, I might be
tempted to do the same.