dbborroughs Review of The Big Heat

The Big Heat (1988)

Mean nasty and ugly, the type of violent crime film Hong Kong used to do with ease is represented here in spades

[9/10 · 2 September 2008]

Johnnie To and Tsui Hark direct with Andrew Kam one of the more violent brooding police films I've seen from Hong Kong. I know that some HK action films can get nasty and brutal, but this one seems to be near the top of the list. The story has a police detective putting his life and retirement on hold when he gets word that a former partner who was in hiding because of a bust that went bad, has been killed. The murder is tied to a wealthy business man who has ties to other dark and not so dark places. Assembling a team of like minded cops he sets off to find justice for his fallen friend. The film begins with a drill going through a man's hand (its a dream sequence referring to our hero's nerve trouble with his right hand) and then it goes from there as bodies are broken and battered and shot both graphically and frequently. Its a blood soaked thrill ride thats gritty and ugly. Its the sort of dark thriller that seems to have fallen out of favor with directors who don't like the idea of "action Noir" unless its brightly lit.I'm guessing this is the result of the ability to do better effects means you don't have to hide stuff in the shadows. This is a good very violent noir film by way of China and is worth a look for anyone who likes dark action.