SPL

Alternate Title: Saat po long (Original Cantonese Title)
Country: Hong Kong
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Martial Arts Action / Crime / Thriller
Language Format: Cantonese
Running Time: 93 minutes (UNCUT)

Donnie Yen .... Insp. Ma Kwan
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo .... Wong Po
Simon Yam .... Det. Chan Kwok Chung
Jacky Wu .... Jack
Kai Chi Liu .... Det. Lok Kwun Wah
Danny Summer .... Kwok Tsz Sum (as Shiu Sing Ha)
Ken Chang .... Lee Wai Lok (as Chi-Hiu Cheung)
Austin Wai .... Cheung Chun Fei
Timmy Hung .... Drug Trafficker
Vincent Sze .... Chan Wai
Kenji Tanigaki .... Wong Po's Bodyguard
Chris Tsui .... Wong Po's bodyguard
So Tung .... Wong Po's bodyguard



When you combine martial arts masters with the likes of Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Kenji Tanigaki(from Donnie Yen's acclaimed stunt team), and mix them up with veteran actor Simon Yam you can already tell something good will come out of it.



Of course excellent acting and a high quality story is needed and SPL definitely delivers with a Class A storyline. The action is kept slightly on the minimal side due to its story driven plot. It's not until you get almost to the middle of it, only then you'll start seeing some awesome high flying martial arts action.



As far as the action is concerned everyone delivers. In fact Donnie, Sammo, and Kenji are spectacular martial artists in their own right. These guys shine in everyway as they exhibit their absolutely jaw dropping kung fu skills as they kick, leap, spin, and punch themselves to death. All for our enjoyment.



As for the squeamish, be warned as they are no shortage of blood here. SPL sports some of the bloodiest scenes ever seen in a long time. In fact the mainland DVD version was severely cut because of this reason. So to view the original uncut version go for the Special Edition 2 disc released by Deltamac.



SPL is a gift from the Martial Arts Action gods for it is one of the best Martial Arts flick to be released in a while.

Also worth mentioning is the very absorbing soundtrack used. Some of the sounds used were very energizing to kind of get you in the mood for upcoming action you're about to witness. The editing is also to be commended as it borrows from the Tony Scott School of Filmmaking.

In short, SPL is another Hong Kong Cinematic magic.