Gun chung

This is basically the ultimate surveillance film that revolves around the covert operations of an undercover police unit attempting to gather intelligence on a sophisticated crew of jewel robbers. So the way the film works is that you have this sub-division of the police department that has maybe a dozen or so operatives, in civilian clothes, who attempt to identify and gather information on suspected criminals. So let's say that there's a robbery somewhere and a street camera catches the image of a suspect. Well, this sub-division will search the other street cameras in the area and see how far they can follow this guy, to see where he went after the crime was committed. Eventually you're going to lose him, but if you have an idea of an area that he frequently goes to (whether it's near his home or work, etc.), then you dispatch this surveillance team into the streets to stake out the area in an attempt to find him, follow him, and gather information on him.

So most of the film concerns the protagonist operatives as they do their jobs, which is really interesting to watch. From the very first minute, the cloak-and-dagger shadowing begins and continues right up to the final moments. This contributes a slow-burn suspense that keeps the viewer on edge. Although technically this is a "slow moving" film, the pacing still seems very brisk due to the premise. And there are also some great moments when a protagonist is in a position that may expose the entire operation.

The overall quality of "Eye in the Sky" is impressive on all fronts. The direction is very engaging, with fluid camera-work that keeps things moving while at the same time effectively showing everything that is happening. The viewer is constantly aware of the positions and locations of all of the characters, which is key when you're dealing with the theme of surveillance and "tailing" suspects. Also, the music is excellent and very catchy. It's perfectly suited given the themes of the film.

Now what about the acting. It's exceptional, and all of the actors have great chemistry together. We have another appearance by Simon Yam and this is one of my favorite performances from him. When I first saw this movie – years ago – I had seen a bunch of Yam's more nasty, notorious films where he plays the bad guy, so his turn in "Eye in the Sky" as a reserved, intelligent, extremely likable father-figure totally convinced me of his range as an actor. He's fantastic in this. The lead actress is Kate Tsui, who is also surprisingly excellent in this. I immediately became a fan of hers after watching this film, but the only other memorable role of her career subsequent to this was when she appeared in the Donnie Yen's flick "14 Blades" from 2010, where she played a villain. Now I have heard that many of her best roles are in TV dramas, so I definitely need to check those out if I can find them. And finally, we have Tony Leung Ka-fai, who plays the villain here in impressive fashion. This guy is paranoid and very sharp, with a fantastic memory – which automatically makes him a challenge for our protagonists. As an FYI, there are two Tony Leungs on the Hong Kong acting scene. The more popular actor in the west is Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, who you've seen in films such as "Hard Boiled" from 1992, "In the Mood for Love" in 2000, "Infernal Affairs" from 2002, and "Lust Caution" from 2007. I'm a big fan of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai – he has a very suave, slick look to him that is instantly charismatic. But I must say that Tony Leung Ka-fai has significantly grown on me over time, and I think that his role in "Eye in the Sky" represents some of his best work. So that's just another reason to watch this movie.

The one thing that might irritate some viewers is that there are a few improbable coincidences that are used throughout. I think that – in that case – it's a bit easier to swallow because right at the beginning of the movie, the theme of "coincidence" is alluded to by Simon Yam's character. He specifically tells Kate Tsui's character that sometimes you just gotta get lucky to catch these guys – and it happens more often that you might think. So they introduce "coincidence" as an "up front" theme of the film, so it feels less like a contivance and more like an interesting aspect.

In my opinion, "Eye in the Sky" is a contemporary classic. I could watch this movie a thousand times and not get sick of it. Fans of mostly realistic, suspense-driven "tailing" sequences ala "The French Connection" will be drooling all over themselves. And it's fairly easy to find on DVD – so watch it!

I'm finding that I like the Milkyway Image movies where Johnnie To is just a producer more than the ones where he is the director, though Breaking News was pretty good. Eye in the Sky starts off with Kate Tsui on a training mission to see if she is good enough to become a cop in a special surveillance unit. She has to study Simon Yam and be able to give every detail of what he did during the day. And just like every Milkyway movie I have seen, they connect a certain scene at the start of the movie with one that happens towards the end. So she gets the job, but just barely. Simon Yam thinks she has potential, so he decides to let her on the force. Tony Leung Ka Fei plays the leader of a gang of bank robbers. He sets everything up, and the rest of the guys do the roberies. So now of course this is where Kate Tsui and Simon Yam come in and try to catch him.

This is a pretty standard story, but well done. I enjoyed the movie a lot. Kate Tsui does a decent enough job in her role, Simon Yam is good just like he usually is, and Tony Leung gives a magnificent performance. I thought the last couple of scenes were kind of disappointing, but the scene towards the end with Tony Leung and Kate Tsui in the restauarant, and the scene where Simon Yam struggles to finish his joke makes up for it.

If you are looking for a good cop movie that has a couple of well done sudden violent moments, then there is a good chance you will like this. If you are looking for an action packed or highly stylized movie, look elsewhere.

And one more note. This movie is a tight 90 minutes (actually more like 85 if you don't include the beginning and opening credits), which is one of the many reasons why I liked it. And it doesn't feel like it should have been longer. Movies to me are just getting too long these days.

You have to completely suspend disbelief to enjoy this movie. If you enjoy watching things that make no sense whatsoever then this is a movie for you, other than that stay clear of it.

"Eye in the Sky" (aka "Gun chung") runs at about and hour and a half, but the movie is directed by Nai-Hoi Yan in a way that it seems like the movie was three hours long. While the concept idea and story was good, this slow pace was a severe anchor weighing the movie down.

The movie does have some familiar faces on the cast list, including two of Hong Kong cinema bigger names; Simon Yam and Tony Ka Fai Leung. But for us familiar with Hong Kong cinema, then Suet Lam is also a familiar face and name. I wasn't particularly familiar with Kate Tsui, but she was rather impressive in this 2007 action thriller.

The story is about a young woman (Kate Tsui) starring int he CIB special division of the Hong Kong police department. Under the training of her superior (Simon Yam) they are playing a cat-and-mouse chase against a particularly professional gang of thieves.

There are many interesting aspects to the story in "Eye in the Sky", and the characters are detailed and have depth and fleshed out personalities. And the acting talents were doing good jobs with their roles. Just a shame that the pace of the movie was so dreadfully slow.

I will say that "Eye in the Sky" is a movie that appeals only to those whom are fan of the Hong Kong cinema. Otherwise you might find more enjoyment in another action thriller.

If you're into crime movies full of hand - held camera zoom - ins and outs at giddying speed, rapid - fire editing, seeing a Hong Kong shot through the old, tired, steel - grey filters (where weirdly everyone looks as if they're dressing for a trip to Alaska), characters almost always using hilarious pseudonyms to address one another, a plot line that involves stake - out after long drawn out stakeout, shallow characterisations and all baked in a muzak quality soundtrack, Eye in the Sky may just be the tonic for you.

But for this disappointed punter, I have to to label it a complete dud and agree with one of the other reviewers in this forum, who says that it's a 90 minute film that seems to run for 3 hours. Yep, it's that boring. Case in point. Take the occasional action scenario from the film, such as that set on the freeway. It should be regulation viewing for all aspiring directors to demonstrate on how not to stage action set pieces. Besides seemingly, just throwing the cameras hopefully in the air, whilst again zooming in and out at frightening speed, one then proceeds to completely break up this rare action, by cutting away to, yes, another stake - out. Mind - numbing stuff!

The storyline is supposed to be seen (spasmodically anyway) through the eyes of rookie female cop Piggy (yes Piggy, not Peggy as cited on IMDB and feel free to cringe like I did). But there is no growth or development of Piggy throughout the movie's running time. She's pretty much appears the same lame rookie at the conclusion, as she appeared at the start. And I won't even go into the dead end climax, where she alternates between following a "Mr Big" and rolling around a pavement in the rain crying. Seriously! It's that sort of film. Intermittantly funny, but not meant to be! Be warned.