Alternate Chinese Title: Nan er ben se
Country: Hong Kong, China
Release Year: 2007
Genre: Old School Style Hong Kong Action
Language Format: Cantonese
Running Time: 130 Minutes
Cast:
Nicholas Tse
Jaycee Chan
Shawn Yue
Jacky Wu
Lisa Lu
Andy On
Candy Liu
Elanne Kwong
Sam Lee
Ken Lo
Director:
Benny Chan
I tell you it's always nice to see an old friend. Have you ever had a friend that was so cool, that when they went away you'd always hoped that someday they'll return. When they do, you are so happy, and ecstatic you didn't know what to do with yourself, except of course be happy?!
Well the friend that I, myself am referring to is the old school Hong Kong Actioner from way back in the days. The days of watching an old school Jackie Chan flick like the POLICE STORY sagas where the stunts are crazy, and downright dangerous that you can't have enough of. It's those type of stunts that made Jackie Chan world famous in the first place. Also goes for the many other non-Chan Hong Kong Action films of the 80's, 90's, and few from this decade thus far.
Let's face it, as of late Japanese Horror has inspired the many wannabe horror slash scary flicks of the past years starting with the RING. While this isn't necessary a bad thing, the formula when used negatively can be tiresome after a while. While I am a huge Japanese Horror fan for many years, even I get tired of the "long hair effect", or the "creepy noises created by natural household items" or the dreaded "throat sound" made famous by the Japanese Horror classic JU-ON. Which of course has also been remade in the U.S.A thankfully though by the same director of the Japanese original.
So upon hearing about, and finally viewing INVISIBLE TARGET. I can officially announce to the whole entire world that I am very happy to see the wonderful formula that is "old school Hong Kong action". There are so many things to see in INVISIBLE TARGET, wonderful things such as car crashes, the always exciting chase scenes done on both on ground, and the very dangerous chase between sky scrapers, people getting thrown through glass doors, windows, and fixtures that ends all shattered covering the actors or stuntmen in the process, lots and lots of explosions, not to mention scenes where the actors jumps off from 5 story buildings, and being shown hitting trees on the ways while landing on the solid ground concrete, and last but definitely not the least, fight scenes, and the always nerve shattering sounds of gunshots from all of the gunplay action that litters this flick.
It has everything. Love story although not too much which is great. I hate action flicks that tends to swerve off from the original idea of an action flick, and gets boggled by a mostly stupid side love story. Intrigue, crime, drugs, betrayal, pretty chinese girls, and just plain crazy!!!
This flick will no doubt be on my recommendations list for years to come, it's one of those movies that wakes you up, and reminds you why you watch Hong Kong Action films in the first place. Don't miss it!
