Reviews

Of late I have acquired this growing fascination for Asian - particularly HK-Mandarin-Korean - films. I was not able to watch this film when it was released but managed to buy the DVD. Why? First, it's a Corey Yuen vehicle, and any Corey Yuen action film for me is as worth seeing as, say, John Woo, perhaps even better. Second, Karen Mok, Shu Qi and Zhao Wei are there. Third, they kick ass. Major Male Ass.

The plot might not be great, but how it did not play into the hands of predictability amazed me. (Spoiler, sorry to those who have not seen it yet). Lynn's death shocked me, to say the least, and that's what made me think this is a bold film, killing off one prime character.

The acting was alright, although probably not too noteworthy. But the characterizations were good, letting the viewers feel the bond between sisters, the ambitions of an intelligent lady-cop on the rise. And I particularly liked the fact that the lead characters were portrayed as 'humans who could fight like superhumans' and not as 'superhumans who fight.' Viewers are always reminded that they also have weaknesses despite their skills.

The effects, the action sequences, the wire-works. Breathtaking. Give me So Close over a dozen Charlie's Angels anytime, and I would not even complain!