The Prosecutor

Donnie Yen brings his signature style and flair to The Prosecutor, a film that merges courtroom drama with martial arts action. While it delivers on innovative visuals and spectacular fight choreography, its legal intricacies might leave audiences-especially those unfamiliar with the differences between common and civil law-scratching their heads.

The film shines in its technical execution. Creative camera movements and first-person-shooter (FPS) sequences are used to great effect, pulling viewers directly into the action. The fighting choreography is, as expected from Donnie Yen, nothing short of epic. From fluid hand-to-hand combat to intense weapon fights, the action sequences are a masterclass in martial arts cinema. These moments are choreographed with precision and filmed with ingenuity, elevating them beyond typical action fare.

However, the legal drama is where the film falters. For audiences accustomed to the Indonesian legal system, the trial process in The Prosecutor can be baffling. The film's depiction of a prosecutor's journey to confront a supreme judge raises compelling ethical and moral questions, but the lack of clarity in its portrayal of legal norms might prompt viewers to do some research into the differences between legal systems.

One point of contention is the film's claim of being "inspired by a true story." While this lends an air of gravitas, it feels unnecessary-distracting from the narrative's standalone merits. Sometimes, a good story should simply be allowed to exist as fiction without the baggage of supposed real-world connections.

Despite these issues, the bravery of the protagonist to take on a figure of immense power, coupled with Yen's impeccable performance, creates a compelling emotional arc. The film also explores themes of justice and accountability, making it more than just an action-packed spectacle.

Honestly, I went to the cinema to see Donnie Yen in this movie and thoroughly enjoyed the action scenes, kung fu, and the incredibly beautiful cinematography, especially the first-person perspective.

However, while the movie excels in its action moments, it falls short in terms of storytelling, feeling slow and somewhat trivial. Many scenes may even come across as boring.

The biggest highlight and positive aspect of the movie is Donnie Yen's performance. Over time, Donnie Yen has gained a more comprehensive understanding of his cinematic identity. His increased believability and comfort with genre clichés and traditions make action fans easily believe not only that they are watching a reliable and capable star performing a role in a moderately memorable film, but also affirm the social persona of a steadfast hero.

Donnie Yen is truly one of the greatest box office draws in the world. His contributions to martial arts and action films is immeasurable. His star status transcends continents, language, and generations. In his latest film release his skills as both a dramatic actor and martial arts action hero are on full display. This film is based upon unbelievable real events.

The Prosecutor is unique in that it could have easily been done as a courtroom drama or a martial arts action film. However, the filmmakers, Yen included, decided to combine the two to make a courtroom drama that is also a martial arts action film. This highly risky gamble really paid dividends in the final result; this film is fantastic.

Yen plays the lead character; a police officer turned Prosecutor whose overarching tenant is Justice, not a mere conviction for political sake. He goes against the establishment in his pursuit of justice for a young man wrongfully convicted to a twenty (27) year sentence for drug trafficking.

The story not only puts him at odds with his own Department, whose characters are adeptly played by the Kent Cheng and Francis Ng, but also with the real drug traffickers he is looking to uncover.

Yen is also the Director on this one and he does a very good job balancing the drama inside the courtroom with the high flying, gritty, martial arts action that takes place in the police chase scenes, and the other fight scenes that The Prosecutor has no shortage of. The courtroom scenes are as good as any courtroom drama films or television productions you will see. Julian Cheung's performance in this film is also notable.

The martial arts fight choreography in this film are first rate. Yen has made a career of consistently innovating and reaching new heights of action choreography in his films. The unique and visually stunning fight scenes in this film make for a highly watchable martial arts action film. Yen never rests on the body of work that has catapulted him to stardom. The fight sequences in The Prosecutor are memorable. The climactic scene on the train is an homage to Sean Connery's From Russia With Love, and it is spectacular.

This international martial action drama is distributed by Well Go USA and is in Cantonese with English subtitles.

The film uniquely respects the two very different genres it lives in and the viewer is winner in this successful merger. We highly recommend The Prosecutor as a great way to start the New Year.

This is definitely the best Donnie Yen film since the classic action masterpiece Flash point. What make it so great is the phenomenal cast of this film, instead of having just one Donnie Yen going solo and all action pack, this film takes the better approach of using many great actors from HK (Chi Lam, Kent Cheng, Francis Ng etc) to take care of the story, dialogue and leveling this film to be more than just an action blockbuster. In this film you can sort of see Donnie Yen age is catching up, slightly reduce the amount of action he does on scene compare to previous movies. However, he also seems to adapt from the his experience in the the Hollywood such as John Wick, the equaliser etc, that being much more environmental with his fighting style, this is fantastic when mixing it up with his own style of fighting. Also great to see he finally get rid of overly do the wing chun and be back to the MMA approach. Despite reducing the amount of action he performs on screen, the quality has just been top notch with everything he shows. The beauty of grappling is second to none in movie history and confident to say no other action choreography can match Donnie Yen's design (99% of flashy choreography in other film falls into the fake and overly use of wire category) While the grappling in this film is solid and realistic while remain eye pleasing just like Flash point. I have been inspired and trained mma for more than a decade by now, unrealistic action design is always cringe when I watch it. But if you know martial arts and grappling, this film paint a beautiful picture with is. Apart from Fash point, even Donnie's SPL and Special ID couldn't captured that master performance. This film is the first that is ever close to flash point level and definitely a better all around film. Here to say Donnie Yen's stunt team are all amazing and truly makes his work shines by a 1000 folds. And we know hard it to make something this beautiful in an action film.

Powerful storyline and action scenes that had me sitting at the edge of my seat the whole movie. They took a complex plot and delve deep into the emotions that makes you question the judicial system and question right from wrong.

Great moments that made you chuckle, yet tug ant your emotional heart strings. Great flow, symbolism, and narrative throughout.

Like there's a scene where he puts down the wine and there's a balance scale showing how the situation is currently unjust.

At the end I couldn't believe Donnie Yen was the director and actor. I had watched the IP man series back in the day and was very impressed at how he pulled everything together. Super talented guy & Very impressed overall. I got to watch it overseas in Asia and excited that it's going to make its way in the US. Definitely worth watching in theaters when it comes out.