Breaking News (2004)

After a disastrous failure to stop a robber gang, the police attempt to redeem themselves through a series of publicity stunts and shootouts.

Director:

Johnnie To

Writers:

Hing-Ka Chan (as Chan Hing Kai), Tin-Shing Yip (as Ip Tin Shing)

Stars:

Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung

5 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Richie Jen	...	Yuen
Kelly Chen	...	Rebecca Fong
Nick Cheung	...	Inspector Cheung
Yong You	...	Chun (as You Yong)
Shiu Hung Hui	...	Hoi (as Hui Siu Hung)
Suet Lam	...	Yip (as Lam Suet)
Eddie Cheung	...	Eric Yeung (as Cheung Siu Fai)
Haifeng Ding	...	Long (as Ding Hai Feng)
Haitao Li	...	Chung (as Li Hai Tao)
Simon Yam	...	CK Wong
Maggie Siu	...	Grace Chow (as Maggie Shiu)

Storyline

When an ambulatory TV news unit live broadcasts the embarrassing defeat of a police battalion by five bank robbers in a ballistic showdown, the credibility of the police force drops to a nadir. While on a separate investigation in a run-down building, detective Cheung discovers the hideout of the robbers. Cheung and his men have also entered the building, getting ready to take their foes out any minute. Meanwhile, in order to beat the media at its own game, Inspector Rebecca decides to turn the stakeout into a breaking news show.

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Plot Keywords:

police | tv | police officer shot in the chest | police officer shot in the head | hong kong police | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Goofs

Just after the opening shootout, Cheung's MP5 has a flashlight attached under the muzzle. Later, when the police are chasing the bad guys on foot, the flashlight has disappeared.

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Quotes

Long: The most dangerous time is also the safest.

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Connections

Referenced in Battle for Haditha (2007)

User Reviews

Action and the media make for an odd mix

After a shoot out goes wrong and the police are made to look like fools the brass resolve to catch the bandits while using the media to fix their busted reputation. However things don't go quite as expected for anyone and what was a simple manhunt becomes a hostage situation with all of Hong Kong watching.

This is an odd film. The plot is a bit too complex for its 90 minute running time, with gunfire exploding often when you least expect it. It starts off with a huge shoot out and then changes feels and tones several times as it goes. And there are a couple of moments where I swear I missed some plot point or other, but found I was simply carried along with the momentum and didn't care for long..

It clearly wants to make a commentary on the use of media by organizations to look good, and it mostly succeeds. (I'm also certain that the parallels to how the US Government is doing a similar thing in Iraq was probably unintentional even if it does make you think.)

This is a very good, and very off beat film that moves to its own beat. Definitely worth seeing, especially if you like action.

8 out of 10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site (Chines, English) [Hong Kong] Pathé [France]

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese Mandarin English

Release Date:

10 June 2004 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Breaking News

Filming Locations:

Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,051,419

Company Credits

Production Co:

Media Asia Films, China Film Group Corporation (CFGC), Milky Way Image Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 88 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1