Ultra Force IV

The cast of this movie runs like who's who of popular actors of the '80s. Donny Yuen, and Simon Yam are about the only ones still active today.

There's drug trafficking in Hong Kong, and corrupt cops are in on it. Inspector Fan (Jackie Chung) is an officer working in the drug enforcement division of the Hong Kong police department. He's on the trail of the drug traffickers, and finds out that one of his associates are in on it. He video tapes the scene, and gives the tape to his girlfriend Amy. But he gets framed and gets accused of drug possession. He now must clear his guilt by somehow collecting the evidence.

The format is somewhat classic Hong Kong drama of the '80s. D&B studio made the movie. D&B had consistent good quality on almost all of their movies, and this one is no exception. The story is good, and acting is great.

It's still a fun movie to watch. As a fan of D&B studio's movies, I wish they made more movies like this today.

Recommended for viewing.

Fortunately we have an all-star cast of Hong Kong legends working their magic here, (Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Jacky Cheung, Ka-Yan Leung) along with director Woo-ping Yuen helming this action extravaganza. The story is nothing special, straightforward with a few twists thrown in to keep the audience interested. Drug smuggling ring, betrayals, corrupt cops, and all the other usual elements of a late 80's HK crime flick. Dull in this regard however the movie wasn't intended to showcase script writing, rather we get some nice displays of martial arts fighting.

The fight choreography and shootouts are the highlights of the film, although the plot wedged in-between sequences feels painfully like filler to meet the minimum run time. In typical fashion bizarre Chinese humor is used as a device to provide character development, and as usual it feels misplaced in a serious crime movie such as this. Despite the small amount of character development it's sufficient to provoke a reaction when the protagonists end up in peril. Donnie Yen only is given a few minutes of screen time, but during his few minutes he really steals the show. The action is entertaining but not enough to deem a second watch. I would only recommend to those wanting to see Donnie Yen's early work. -6/10

TIGER CAGE is an ensemble Hong Kong cop film with much in common with the same era's IN THE LINE OF DUTY flicks. This one features Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Jacky Cheung, Carol Cheng and others as a team of crack detectives who take down a drug syndicate at the film's outset. The only problem is that some of the bad guys survive, swearing revenge on the cops who destroyed their operation.

What follows is a roller-coaster ride of a film filled with breakneck action and all of the wonderful martial arts choreography that you'd hope from the genre. This one's directed by Yuen Woo-ping and boy, does he know how to direct a proper thriller: there are barely any slow spots, just tons of action and action that drives the plot forward at that. It's one of the most purely entertaining Hong Kong thrillers that I've seen.

Cast-wise, I have to say that most of the leading members give more than impressive performances, not least an incredibly youthful Donnie Yen in what I think might have been only his second leading part. Simon Yam seems experienced and reliable even at this early stage of his career. Jacky Cheung acquits himself well in a role that Jackie himself could have played, and it's always a pleasure to see American bodybuilder Michael Woods on top form as a hulking henchman. TIGER CAGE is a film filled with twists, betrayals, stunts and incredible one-on-one fights, and Hong Kong film fans will be in movie heaven.

You generally can't go wrong with action movies from Hong Kong, and it's also hard to go wrong with Yuen Woo-Ping. I feel as though I should eventually watch everything he ever directed or did the action choreography for, since the way he does that stuff is always so good. Words kind of fail to express what makes his take on action so good. All I know is that it's really good, and that's all that matters.

With Tiger Cage, it's him doing the kind of movie John Woo is best known for directing. Woo-Ping usually makes action movies with more hand-to-hand combat, but he can do shoot-em-ups, too. Similarly, Woo is best known for the heroic bloodshed films of his, but he also proved himself to be great at more traditional martial arts stuff with the eternally underrated Last Hurrah for Chivalry. John Woo is more well-known than Woo-Ping, and his highs are higher, but I think he's missed a little more often than Woo-Ping seems to have.

Also, to go back to Tiger Cage... well, what can be said? The non-action stuff is serviceable, and that's all it really needs to be. It's about a bunch of young cops taking on criminals and corruption, and it's all very heightened, bombastic, and bloody. The term "heroic bloodshed" is also interesting. These characters are physically impressive, but they do bleed, and sometimes die, more than American heroes from Action movies in that part of the world.

Anyway, Tiger Cage starts at a ridiculously impressive pace that it can't entirely maintain throughout, but the action was just about always very good, and I didn't mind the non-action parts all too much either. It made for a satisfying watch, and if you like Hong Kong action/crime films from around this era, it shouldn't be overlooked.

Hong Kong used to produce some of the most hardcore action movies in the 80's and early 90's. Having not producing any in a while, their trying to come back to formula with movies like Fulltime Killer and Infernal Affairs. Anyway, in my opinion, Tiger Cage is an excellent crime thriller amongst Hong Kong cinema. It still stands above some movies in Hong Kong and the all "arrogant" Hollywood. They don't make movies like these anymore. The plot is great, and the movie didn't seem to have any flaws. Whether a protagonist or a antagonist, Simon Yam always proves that he is the man for the job. As for this movie, he plays the villain very well. Might I also add that Jacky Cheung gives a gritty performance. Donnie Yen gives Michael Woods a run for his money, and Carol "Do Do" Cheng is great as a female cop who struggles to keep her personal life as well as her cop life intact.

The action is top notch. Hardcore and served with devastating blows is the way I like it. Master Yuen Woo Ping did a fine job with this one. Also, look out for his minute Cameo. While Martial Arts was evident in the movie, old-fashioned street fighting was served with the main course. Watch the last 15 minutes and see what I mean. Donnie Yen is always impressive, but I was surprised at Jacky Cheung. The boy has some kicks to his disposal. He does it with so much vengeance. This is one of Yuen Woo Ping's better movies. In fact, this is one of his best movies (way better than that Matrix BS).

Overall, this movie is one of Hong Kong's best efforts and deserves a re-release and restoration. One can only hope that this and more Asian movies are treated with respect (MIRAMAX AAARGGGH!!!!).

Final Judgment: ****/****