Solid Hong Kong Action Cop & Robber Friends 'Sniper' provides the solid Hong Kong action you want. Stylish action, and the formulaic cop vs robber who are also best friends and torn by loyalties.
First off I don't speak a word of Cantonese and saw 'Sniper' without the benefit of subtitles, yet was still able to understand the plot.
As with most HK films, there is far more action than in real HK. Heavily armed gangs around every corner committing elaborate robberies that would put Dillinger to shame. Hence the HKPD needs a large expert sniper force armed (with airsoft guns) to the teeth to coordinate with their SWAT teams which also just happen to be right in the middle of the action.
Our tragic hero cop is Fang. A badass sniper.
Our sympathetic robber is Jing a former police sniper disgraced after a hostage rescue went wrong. Jing wants revenge on the police and the gangster would caused the whole hostage situation in the first place. Since no one here seems to agree on the gangster's name, I'll call him Ge.
Upon his release from prison Jing puts his elaborate and unique plans for revenge into action. Jing shadows Ge's gang and learns of their plan to rescue him during a prison transport.
As Ge's gang stages their elaborate armored car holdup rescue they face off against the ruthless Fang who kills 4 of them dead with one shot.
But Ge's gang receives unexpected tactical support when sniper fire erupts from Jing on a sky scrapper and the rescue succeeds. Jing has now earned his way inside Ge's gang for revenge.
From the incredible accuracy of the sniper shots, Fang realizes that Jing is back and he's play for the wrong side.
Never a dull moment. As I said you can follow the movie just fine without subtitles or dubbing. It's a great film that can break the language barrier.
