FLASH POINT: Donnie Yen vs. Emma Thompson

FLASH POINT (Blu-ray)

2007 / 88 min

Well Go USA

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Brawler😸

As a reviewer of physical media, I often need to determine the order that I watch and write about the discs I’m sent, especially when a bunch arrive all at once (which happens a lot). Usually, I place priority on titles that are probably more anticipated than others. For example, the revered, Oscar-winning Merchant Ivory classic, Howard’s End, is finally being released on 4K UHD. Conversely, Well Go USA is putting out a Blu-ray re-issue of the 2007 Hong Kong fightfest, Flash Point.

But I must confess my review schedule sometimes depends on my own personal preferences. Of course, Howard’s End is a fine film…aesthetically elegant and boasting fine performances by a respected cast. However, neither Emma Thompson nor Anthony Hopkins are capable of putting a beatdown like Donnie Yen, Louis Koo and Collin Chou. So on this particular night, the Schlegels and Wilcoxes would have to wait. In my house, Donnie Yen movies almost always get placed at the top of the stack (even old Donnie Yen movies).

Not that all of his movies are good. Yen has made plenty of shitty ones, too. But when he’s on, you’d be hard-pressed to name another action star more dedicated to bringing the pain for our amusement, even in flicks with plots that could be summarized on a cocktail napkin. Fortunately, Flash Point is a good one. 

Donnie remembered to pack his angry eyes.

Yen plays Inspector Ma Jun, whose brutal methods frequently run afoul of his captain, which makes him sort of a Hong Kong Dirty Harry. He and partner Wilson (Louis Koo) are working to bring down a trio of violent sibling Vietnamese gangsters. After one of the brothers is apprehended, the other two target anyone whose testimony could convict him (including Wilson, who had infiltrated the gang until his cover was blown).

Though the plot would probably require both sides of that cocktail napkin, Flash Point is largely driven by violent action, which it delivers quite well. Bits of personal drama tend to stall the momentum at times, but for the most part, the film serves up fights, gunplay and chases with aplomb. Yen’s considerable skills are on full display here, especially during two extended fight sequences. But while Yen choreographs those scenes himself, he’s not the entire show here. Koo and Collin Chou both enjoy their fare share of consummate asskicking, especially the latter.

Still, it’s mostly Donnie Yen who makes the movie memorable, because even when not delivering blows or blasting bad guys, he’s always been an engaging actor. Flash Point doesn’t rank among his greatest films, but it’s solid entertainment that delivers plenty of exciting action. And in my house, there’s always time for movie like this. Merchant Ivory can wait.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING OF FEATURETTE - Unlike the 5 minute promos Well Go USA typically offers, this one runs 20 minutes.

SHOOTING DIARY

DELETED SCENES

TRAILERS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION