Black Ransom

When I was given the chance to watch "Black Ransom" (aka "See piu fung wan"), I did of course sit down to do so. Why? Well, given my love for Asian cinema and Hong Kong cinema in particular, and also because it starred Simon Yam.

I hadn't even heard about this movie before late in 2019. But taking the time to sit down and watch it was a good thing, because "Black Ransom" turned out to be an entertaining thriller. Sure, writer Jing Wong played a lot on traditional methods of building a thriller, and director Kwok-Man Keung brought it nicely to the screen. However, the movie does differ somewhat from the usual Hong Kong police vs. triad movies, because there are some nice twists to the story along the way. That was something that definitely made the movie more enjoyable.

There is a good pacing to the movie and it progresses nicely from start to end, gradually building up to a fulfilling finale actually.

The movie stars Simon Yam, whom is a good actor, and if you are familiar with Hong Kong cinema, then he should be a familiar face. And opposite him is Kiu Wai Miu whom really brought something unique to the movie and to his particular character and role, and that worked well in favor of the movie.

There is a good combination of storytelling, character development, action and suspense to the movie, which all works out well enough when mixed together.

"Black Ransom" is an entertaining action thriller, one that plays on the way they used to make action thrillers, and it works out nicely. I was genuinely entertained with the movie from start to end.

My rating of "Black Ransom" is six out of ten stars.