The Prosecutor

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.

The Prosecutor is a legal crime action thriller directed by and starring Donnie Yen, reteaming with Ip Man producer Raymond Wong, and features a star-studded ensemble cast.

While it is not on par with the iconic status of the Ip Man film series, it is a modern Ip Man in spirit: Donnie Yen beating justice into a lawless world. Different robes, same job!

In its promotional trailer, it was baffling to see Donnie Yen, presumably the prosecutor in the title, holding a revolver running through a subway car like a police officer.

How would the story explain his fighting abilities and gun training? It's embarrassing to admit, but this ridiculous little hairball intrigued me for a month leading up to the film's release.

After a violent drug bust gone wrong, police officer Fok Chi-ho is disappointed with the criminal system, and quits the police force to become a government prosecutor...The answer I was looking for!

It was this precise moment ten minutes into the film, my expectations were firmly set. There was no use thinking how long it would take for a career policeman to quit, attend law school, and switch immediately to being a government prosecutor. Nor would I think about whether the film will portray the court of law authentically. It's not that kind of movie.

Under this mindset, The Prosecutor is an action-packed and entertaining popcorn film that's worth seeing once.

The ensemble cast, including Michael Hui, Francis Ng, Ray Lui, Julian Cheng, Kent Cheng and Lau Kong provide great support and keep the dramatic scenes engaging. There wasn't any feeling of waiting for the dialogue scenes to end so the fights can commence.

In fact, Francis Ng steals the movie in a hilarious reportedly-improvised scene where he openly challenges Donnie Yen to a fistfight, which was so close to a fourth wall break (whio challenges Donnie Yen in a movie?) that it had me cackling for a whole minute.

Julian Cheng completely morphs as the refined salt-and-pepper-haired businessman villain, a role that would normally played by Michael Wong. Cheng stands out, but falls short of being awards worthy.

The action choreography by Donnie Yen's Stunt Team, is noticeably more audience-friendly and less brutal than Yen's past MMA-themed films, like SPL, Flashpoint and Special ID.

In the past, Donnie Yen's priorities as star and fight choreographer were set on showcasing martial arts authentically. Whether it was police, wuxia or comic book action, he strived to deliver a sense of martial arts realism, notably power.

I see a maturation in Donnie Yen in The Prosecutor.

The Prosecutor felt like a culmination of Donnie Yen's filmmaking experience being applied in full as a director, with Raymond Wong supplying him all the proper resources.

This time, Yen is working with cast and crew he's familiar with and integrating the drama and action together to deliver a solid movie, and not just a movie with great fight scenes.

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 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.

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.