Dong jing gong lüe

Well, the DVD came out here in the UK, without any announcement, and I hadn't heard of it, so having enjoyed Tony Leung in titles like "Bullet In The Head" and "Hard-Boiled" (both John Woo films), I thought I'd give this a try. All I can say, is that it's bizarre, to say the least!

Part James Bond, part Mission Impossible, and part modern-day action/comedy ala "Indiana Jones", it's essentially a crime-caper story about one man's attempt to blackmail a Mob Boss. It will not be to everyones fancy, that's for sure, but those who stick with it, will have an enjoyable little HK action movie.

It's not what you'd expect, but it is an interesting title to watch, although some viewers may well give-up on it, before watching the entire movie. Considering that only the 97 minute edit was released here, it would be interesting to see the longer 2-hour cut, as seen in Australia, et al.

The best-bit, without a doubt, is the motorised-skateboard/BMX bike chase! Very wacky, and very funny, and very, very cool!

I was very surprised to find a pleasant, funny and humourous movie packed with Action all way through.

The women are to die for and the acting outstanding. The director deserves a big pat on the back for the movie, the movie effects are excellent and well produced. I highly recommend this movie for anybody who likes a good down to earth movie (well almost ..!) OK so it is a bit out there, but outstanding all the same.

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.

Jingle Ma has once again failed to deliver the enticement action/thriller fans crave for. With tactics and themes similar to the exquisite works of John Woo and Ang Lee, Ma's latest (and derivative) project is just another bland action film waiting to be criticised. Like his previous flops, "Fly Me To Polaris", "Drunken Fist 2" and "Rumble in the Bronx", Tokyo Raiders has no real plot which will catch the attention of the audience. Bride waits at altar, groom fails to show up, bride finds help to find the groom, bride becomes tangled in a web of deceit and violence, etc, etc. Very boring, very un-original. However, the failure of the film does not rest entirely on Jingle Ma himself, most of the cast are near terrible themselves. Hong Kong showpony, Kelly Chen tries her best to make an impression to the audience; to portray herself as a distressed bride who only wants her fiancee back.....and to earn the sympathy of them. Personally, I feel more sorry for the groom, Takehashi, for being engaged to someone as dull as Macy (Chen). The Japanese cast were just as terrible, with Nakamura Toru and Abe Hiroshi showing bland and un-convincing acting skills. In my own opinion, only the excellence of Tony Leung Chiu Wai saved the film from further canning.

This film is best avoided......at all costs.