Milkway Image
NEW YORK -- Uneasily skirting the border between hard-edged actioner and over-the-top satire, this latest effort from prolific Hong Kong helmer Johnnie To ultimately lacks the stylistic assurance to overcome its haphazard plotting and erratic tonal shifts. Although never exactly boring, this tale of a less than Dirty Harry-like cop and his frantic evening-length search for his lost gun will best be appreciated by genre fans. "PTU", the initials of which stand for "Police Tactical Unit", was showcased at this year's New York Film Festival.
Heavyset character actor Lam Suet delivers a memorably seedy performance as Sgt. Lo, who loses a gun during a tussle with street toughs on the same night in which a policeman has been killed in a bank robbery and the son of a local mob boss has been stabbed to death in a restaurant. The two officers dealing with the incident, Mike Ho (Simon Yam) and Kat (Maggie Shiu), reluctantly agree to give Lo a few hours to try and retrieve his gun, as he's due for a promotion. The chain-smoking Lo thus begins his desperate quest, even as he himself becomes the chief suspect in the stabbing investigation.
The film chronicles the ensuing chaos in which Lo, various criminal elements and assorted police units converge in a series of violent and often confused encounters. Director To infuses the chaotic proceedings with a dark-tinged intensity, often leavened by dark humor, photographing the back alleys and dark streets of Hong Kong in ways that accentuate their dingy menace.
Containing less a structured narrative than a series of elaborately staged, baroque set pieces, the film does have its arresting -- pardon the pun -- moments, thanks to its sheer over-the-top delirium. Boasting atmosphere galore, it also benefits greatly from the vivid performances by the entire cast, especially the many supporting players who provide the appropriate B-movie menace.
NEW YORK -- Uneasily skirting the border between hard-edged actioner and over-the-top satire, this latest effort from prolific Hong Kong helmer Johnnie To ultimately lacks the stylistic assurance to overcome its haphazard plotting and erratic tonal shifts. Although never exactly boring, this tale of a less than Dirty Harry-like cop and his frantic evening-length search for his lost gun will best be appreciated by genre fans. "PTU", the initials of which stand for "Police Tactical Unit", was showcased at this year's New York Film Festival.
Heavyset character actor Lam Suet delivers a memorably seedy performance as Sgt. Lo, who loses a gun during a tussle with street toughs on the same night in which a policeman has been killed in a bank robbery and the son of a local mob boss has been stabbed to death in a restaurant. The two officers dealing with the incident, Mike Ho (Simon Yam) and Kat (Maggie Shiu), reluctantly agree to give Lo a few hours to try and retrieve his gun, as he's due for a promotion. The chain-smoking Lo thus begins his desperate quest, even as he himself becomes the chief suspect in the stabbing investigation.
The film chronicles the ensuing chaos in which Lo, various criminal elements and assorted police units converge in a series of violent and often confused encounters. Director To infuses the chaotic proceedings with a dark-tinged intensity, often leavened by dark humor, photographing the back alleys and dark streets of Hong Kong in ways that accentuate their dingy menace.
Containing less a structured narrative than a series of elaborately staged, baroque set pieces, the film does have its arresting -- pardon the pun -- moments, thanks to its sheer over-the-top delirium. Boasting atmosphere galore, it also benefits greatly from the vivid performances by the entire cast, especially the many supporting players who provide the appropriate B-movie menace.
- 10/20/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.