P.T.U. is not the type of film that springs to mind when someone mentions a "feel-good" film, it's also not really an "action" film. What it is, is a slow paced, dark, gritty, and perilous journey through Hong Kong's night life. Complete with gangsters, cops, dirty cops, and the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) run by a charismatic Simon Yam.
To be exact, P.T.U. is pretty much Johnnie To's take on film's like Lock, Stock, and two smoking barrels. But this time the focus is less on gangsters and more on law enforcement agents. Also, unlike Lock, Stock, PTU is virtually humorless, and more on the depressing side. It's not a completely original concept, but in the hands of Johnnie To it manages to entertain. Mind you, it's not as bleak as other recent films to come out of Hong Kong (Dog Bite Dog comes to mind) but is definitely not a film one would describe as uplifting or funny.
Seargeant Lo Sa (played brilliantly by Suet Lam) is having a bad day. After eating at a local diner he walks outside and finds a "punk" keying his car. Angered, Seargeant Lo chases to culprit straight into an ambush. He awakens in an alleyway beaten, bloody, and missing his police issue revolver. Not wanting to lose a promotion he's up for, Seargeant Lo enlists the help of Mike Ho (leader of the PTU played by the always awesome Simon Yam) to help him find his gun before the night is over. Over the course of the night, Seargeant Lo finds himself stuck in the middle of two warring gangs, while also being investigated by a pesky CID inspector. On top of all that, he must desperately recover his lost revolver before the morning.
Those who are familiar with Johnnie To's direction (and like his films) will love this flick and the slow paced punch that it packs. PTU is shot with an almost noir feel, although it's technically in color. The cinematography is beautiful and meshes perfectly to capture the film's dreary moods, juxtaposed with shot's of gloomy cityscapes, streets, and alleyways, PTU leaves it's mark artistically.
In PTU, the performances are good all-around. Simon Yam is great as a calm, reserved, leader of the PTU who sticks his head out for Seargeant Lo. Ruby Wong is also good as Leigh Cheng leader of the C.I.D. unit although she's not given much to do. Lastly, Suet Lam is perfect for the role of the bumbling Seargeant who looses his gun and starts a sequence of events which leads to the film's ultra-violent ending. After seeing Suet in many films with smaller supporting roles (Dog Bite Dog, Election 2) it's nice to see him casted for a major role, and he does a good job of it.
PTU is a good all around film but has it's share of faults; chiefly the film's score. I don't know what Johnnie To was thinking when he scored the film with 90's guitar rock. The score was way to lively and jubilant for the films dark mood and slow pacing. It nearly ruined a few parts for me because it takes the edge of some of the dramatic scenes. Other than the score, Ruby Wong is underused and the film tends to slow down in certain points. Fortunately, the films opening scenes and violent conclusion help to make up for these issues... although the film needs a new score either way.
Bottom Line- PTU is a must for Johnnie To fans. New-comers will also find it entertaining and accessible due to it's re-cycled plot. A good film, just short of a masterpiece but really need a new score.
To be exact, P.T.U. is pretty much Johnnie To's take on film's like Lock, Stock, and two smoking barrels. But this time the focus is less on gangsters and more on law enforcement agents. Also, unlike Lock, Stock, PTU is virtually humorless, and more on the depressing side. It's not a completely original concept, but in the hands of Johnnie To it manages to entertain. Mind you, it's not as bleak as other recent films to come out of Hong Kong (Dog Bite Dog comes to mind) but is definitely not a film one would describe as uplifting or funny.
Seargeant Lo Sa (played brilliantly by Suet Lam) is having a bad day. After eating at a local diner he walks outside and finds a "punk" keying his car. Angered, Seargeant Lo chases to culprit straight into an ambush. He awakens in an alleyway beaten, bloody, and missing his police issue revolver. Not wanting to lose a promotion he's up for, Seargeant Lo enlists the help of Mike Ho (leader of the PTU played by the always awesome Simon Yam) to help him find his gun before the night is over. Over the course of the night, Seargeant Lo finds himself stuck in the middle of two warring gangs, while also being investigated by a pesky CID inspector. On top of all that, he must desperately recover his lost revolver before the morning.
Those who are familiar with Johnnie To's direction (and like his films) will love this flick and the slow paced punch that it packs. PTU is shot with an almost noir feel, although it's technically in color. The cinematography is beautiful and meshes perfectly to capture the film's dreary moods, juxtaposed with shot's of gloomy cityscapes, streets, and alleyways, PTU leaves it's mark artistically.
In PTU, the performances are good all-around. Simon Yam is great as a calm, reserved, leader of the PTU who sticks his head out for Seargeant Lo. Ruby Wong is also good as Leigh Cheng leader of the C.I.D. unit although she's not given much to do. Lastly, Suet Lam is perfect for the role of the bumbling Seargeant who looses his gun and starts a sequence of events which leads to the film's ultra-violent ending. After seeing Suet in many films with smaller supporting roles (Dog Bite Dog, Election 2) it's nice to see him casted for a major role, and he does a good job of it.
PTU is a good all around film but has it's share of faults; chiefly the film's score. I don't know what Johnnie To was thinking when he scored the film with 90's guitar rock. The score was way to lively and jubilant for the films dark mood and slow pacing. It nearly ruined a few parts for me because it takes the edge of some of the dramatic scenes. Other than the score, Ruby Wong is underused and the film tends to slow down in certain points. Fortunately, the films opening scenes and violent conclusion help to make up for these issues... although the film needs a new score either way.
Bottom Line- PTU is a must for Johnnie To fans. New-comers will also find it entertaining and accessible due to it's re-cycled plot. A good film, just short of a masterpiece but really need a new score.