Dong jing gong lüe

Jingle Ma, long one of Hong Kong's best cinematographers, shows here that he can create and direct an amazing film when given greater control.

"Tokyo Raiders" is a quintessential HK fusion film, containing plenty of traditional HK elements but making superb use of Japanese and Western elements as well. The soundtrack alone makes it stand out from other HK films of the post-New Wave era, but "Tokyo Raiders" adds great humor, irony, editing, photography, and a broad spectrum of choreography and action (a nod to Jackie Chan-film regular bit actor Allen Chiu-wai Sit as action choreographer here).

The main cast comes off very well, playing characters that veer from serious (or, in some cases, at least near-serious) to absurd -- as the story does the same. "Tokyo Raiders" is really an action-comedy, and strong in both categories, and the cast is a delight.

I usually really hate fancy editing and camera-work for action scenes. If the action is any good, it should be presented cleanly and clearly, so the audience can see it. Anyone can fake action (albeit poorly, in most cases) by messing with the film. That's not impressive. If you have a cast capable of real action and go to the trouble of choreographing real action, then you're only hurting the film by chopping it up with close-ups, slow motion, rapid cuts, and the like.

But in "Tokyo Raiders", Jingle Ma shows that he has the very rare talent of actually enhancing action sequences through careful use of effects. Personally, even if the film weren't so all-around enjoyable, I think this would make it worth seeing all by itself. Most other action directors should take notes.

It's true that many viewers may find the thread of the plot a little hard to follow at times, but this isn't the kind of movie where you have to follow everything to enjoy it. (Few HK action films are, and it's a good thing, too.) And it's true that many viewers will wish that Tony Leung's character's assistants had more screen time. Well, no film is truly perfect, but "Tokyo Raiders" is definitely worth a shot if you like Asian action films and comedies at all.

Just be sure, if you don't speak Mandarin and Japanese, to get a subtitled, not dubbed copy, and not panned-and-scanned (edited to fit a TV screen) if you can help it. As with most foreign films, it makes a world of difference.

Not a bad action flick by director Jingle Ma, and actor Tony Lueng Chiu Wai.

It's an international affair when the groom runs away to Japan, and his bride come after him from Hong Kong. Not only is he a run away groom, he had many underworld connection, that has gangs and yakuzas hot on his trail. All converge in Tokyo and mayhem ensues.

The visuals (on DVD) is very good, and although the story was bit silly, it had enough impact to be entertaining. If there was one thing I didn't like was Kelly Chan's acting. She always appears wooden and fails to bring the voltage up on the story. They've also failed to cash in on the talent of Japanese actors, and couldn't make a good story around them. Hiroshi Abe should have been the lead role on the Japanese side, and should have been pit against Tony Lueng Chiu Wai. Then the story and the movie would have been 200% better.

So it's a movie that needs little more work, and some change in the actors, but overall it was an acceptable action drama.

Jingle Ma's 'Tokyo Raiders' is a fun-packed action comedy. It's one of those films where the story is secondary. Yes, the story is flawed and a little silly but there is enough of the other stuff to keep one entertained. The action sequences are well choreographed. There isn't too much violence or gore (there's hardly any blood on screen). The cinematography is pretty good too as it captures modern Japan so brilliantly. Tony Leung Chi Wai, Kelly Chen and Ekin Cheng form quite a cool trio. Leung proves to be a very good comedic actor which adds to his versatility. Kelly Chen impressed me with her acting for a change. Cheng does a fine job as he holds his own against Leung. With amusing fight sequences, slapstick and situational comedy and funny lines, 'Tokyo Raiders' has the ingredients of a successful enjoyable action comedy.

When the film opened with cantonese spanish music to an action fight in Tokyo, I knew this was going to be a winner.

It is a fantastic action comedy, Ekin Cheng and Tony Leung working together admirably as a bit of an odd couple. Tony Leung doing a great job at the action, even if he isn't an action actor really (he still insisted doing his own stunts).

THis was the first film I saw Ekin Cheng in...and since I've been ordering his floppy haired dvds from Hong Kong. He is a great actor, does the action well (he should, he's a Kung Fu champion) and is as funny as hell.

I didn't like the Macy character (or the actress who played her)...she was so...dumb. I don't think much acting was needed for that either. Now I'd hate to insinuate anything between the director and her... The 'actress' is a pop star really, and when I saw a CD of hers in China town with her wearing this plastic power rangers outfit...well I smiled in sweet revenge.

The plot isn't complicated, and even if you don't get it first time round it dousn't matter it's still an enjoyable film.

If you watch this PLEASE watch it subbed. As always, the dubbing is appalling, with the laugh line pin-up idol Ekin Cheng delivers 'I'm not pretty but I can fight!'...did the dubbing script writers even see the cover??

I have watched a lot of HK and martial arts movies, and this is one of the best I've seen. There's a good story behind it, it twists and turns all the time. Lots of cool gadgets, the fighting is really good. Lots of humour in it, I laughed quite alot. If you gonna see this see it subbed and not dubbed. I have seen both versions and when I saw it subbed it was much funnier. I didn't really know so much about Tony Leung before this movie, but now I really like him. He was very very cool in this movie. See it now!

Rating 10/10 (can I give it a 11?)