Alerta Total

"Full Alert" ("Go do gaai bei") is a fairly average movie of its genre, that being an action / drama / thriller movie of cat and mouse chasing between one police man and one criminal.

Sure, the story has been used countless times in other movies, and there is nothing really innovating or groundbreaking to be seen, then "Full Alert" is actually good entertainment. Why? Well because of the director's hand; Ringo Lam really managed to do a great job with this movie. But of course, the movie was this well-working not only because of the direction, but also by the very convincing and great acting performances by both Ching Wan Lau (playing inspector Pao) and Francis Ng (playing Mak Kwan). It should be said that all people in the movie were actually doing great jobs with their given roles.

There is just the right amount of action and suspense in "Full Alert" to keep it thrilling and interesting from start till end, but of course the acting worked wonders as well. I, personally, liked that the action took place in various places, but especially on the crowded streets of Hong Kong in broad daylight. That is just magnificent.

If you enjoy these types of crime movies, despite them being predictable to the core, then "Full Alert" is well worth checking out, as it has enough action to stand alongside any Hong Kong movie, and a solid storyline to keep the audience hooked. And if you enjoy the Hong Kong cinema of action movies, then you should give "Full Alert" a chance. Despite it being from 1997, then it still holds up today.

On a side note, it is a bit odd that it is only now in 2012 that I have come to know of and see this movie. Probably because I've never been much fan of Ching Wan Lau, even though he did a great job in this movie. Francis Ng, however, well I do like his movies, so it is about time that I got around to watching this movie.

Lau Ching Wan turns in an powerful performance as a tough cop who goes over the line in pursuit of his quarry and alter ego, played masterfully by Francis Ng. The film transforms from a formula competition between cop and robber midway through the film, to a gripping portrait of two men who must live with the life-and-death decisions that they make in their line of work. Who would have thought that such a shoot-em-up movie would address such deep issues, and do it so successfully? The director, Ringo Lam, is quite versatile, having also directed the excellent Jackie Chan action comedy "Twin Dragons," as well as star vehicles for Jean Claude Van Damme and Shu Qi.

The best crime drama of the year. A familiar genre, but the story and the technique are all innovation. As soon as he appears, the thief (Ng) is captured by the inspector (Lau). The men then embark on a series of cat-and-mouse maneuvers that never fail to surprise. Action scenes are punctuated with dramatic ones, never leaving the audience any breathing space and trapping them with pressure-cooker intensity. The chase scenes and gun battles on Hong Kong's busy streets as well as the underwater explosion scenes are demonstrations of the director's talents. Lau and Ng turned in wonderful performances with their interpretation of the guilt that grips men of violence. - ManA lone Ho