Matthew D
Insane martial arts combat from a young Donnie Yen fighting police ethics violations!
Director Wilson Yip’s martial arts crime thriller SPL: Kill Zone (2005) is super cool and stylized. Kill Zone is a hard critique of police brutality, falsifying evidence, and police corruption. I loved the brutal violence, tender characters, moral conflicts, colorful cinematography, rooftop meetings, split screens, outrageous editing, smoky rooms, gorgeous music, and stunning Hong Kong skyline. Yip’s dedication to earnest heroes, ruthless villains, and ultra fast martial arts fights is commendable. Kill Zone has some crazy duels from Sammo Hung against every cop. Sammo Hung versus Donnie Yen in the final fight is killer. Donnie Yen battling against Wu Jing’s assassin in a dangerous alley is a legendary duel of baton versus blade. I loved SPL: Kill Zone!
Writers Jack Ng Wai-Lun, Szeto Kam-Yuen, and Wilson Yip craft a complex crime drama narrative about older detectives breaking ethics to catch a Hong Kong Triad boss, while a new inspector arrives with real ideals, ethics, and morality. It’s all about the curious choices we make in life that make us either evil or good men. I thought of Cop Land and Infernal Affairs when thinking about police corruption, police brutality, falsifying evidence, stealing seized money, and the value of following protocol to capture criminals. There’s interesting ethical questions for cops to consider here in a very thoughtful movie. Every cop is punished for being evil just like the villain gets poetic justice. There is an insane twist at the last moment.
Donnie Yen is excellent as the moralistic young Inspector Ma Kwun. Yen demonstrates restraint as Inspector Ma is trying to atone for hurting a young man with police brutality, while also dealing with the older cops framing a triad boss just to imprison him. Yen’s dramatic acting is quite compelling and moving. Him trying to be a good cop in the face of heinous triad murderers and corrupt police is fascinating. I continue to be amazed by his lightning fast kicks and punches. Likewise, Wu Jing’s assassin in white Jack is ruthless. His jeering as he stabs cops with his short blade is sinister. His ultra quick movements and martial arts are outstanding. The best fight in Kill Zone is Donnie Yen against Wu Jing.
Sammo Hung is very entertaining as the vicious Hong Kong Triad boss Wong Po. He’s a relentless fighter, fierce commander, brutal murderer, and is shown to also be a loving husband. Simon Yam is very touching as the Inspector Chan Kwok-chung, dying of cancer while trying to raise a little orphaned girl. He tries to frame Hung for crimes, then keeps breaking the law in hopes of stopping this gang.
Liu Kai-chi is great as the amusing Inspector Lo Kwun-wah. Danny Summer is a riot as Inspector Kwok Tze-sum, who also wants his daughter back in his life. Ken Chang is great as Inspector Lee Wai-lok, who takes money from a crime scene. Liang Jingke is incredibly pretty as Wong Po's wife. Lau Ching-lam is adorable as the sweet girl Hoi-yee. Poon Mei-kei is gorgeous as Inspector Kwok Tze-sum's daughter.
Editor Cheung Ka-Fai pulls off fast cuts within fights for clear movements, but all wild split screen decisions and interesting transitions. Kill Zone is a thrilling 93 minutes because of these fun early 2000’s style cutting choices. Cinematographer Lam Wah-Chuen’s wide shots capture fights and conversations alike. The heavy use of hazy green lighting and icy blue lighting is awesome. Kill Zone visually looks impressive.
Stunt choreographers Kenji Tanigaki, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, So Tung, and Donnie Yen provide exciting and intricate martial arts moves for the adrenalizing fights. Composers Comfort Chan Kwong-Wing and Ken Chan Ka-Yip’s mesmerizing film score has dreamy synths and delicate piano parts. They create a foreboding atmosphere that really makes every evil decision by a police inspector seem ominous.
In all, SPL: Kill Zone is a truly daring critique of police corruption alongside spectacular martial arts displays.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/05/25
Full Review
Atlis S
Didn't care for the ending, but the journey was great
Action scenes were top notch and fast. Of course, Donnie yen is great in it.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
09/29/24
Full Review
carlos t
Minha opinião: Filme de 2005, mas atual. Com elenco de peso; Donnie, Sammo, Wu Jing, Simon,... Um filme típico de Gangster, máfia e a luta eterna da máfia com a policia. A luta do policial Simon contra o chef da máfia Sammo. Onde Simon e sua equipe, fazem de tudo para prender Sammo. E como Simon esta para aposentar e também morrer com um tumor no cérebro, irá assumir em seu lugar Donnie. E assim corre o filme com muita ação, tiros, correria, luta,.... Incrivel é o final, que serve para refletir, "Causa e Efeito" quando Sammo lança Donnie e cai no final. Super tenso, ficar vivo será que valeu apena?
Roteiro: Radical
Vale apena assistir? Com certeza.
Nota: 8
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Liam D
Much more of a Crime Drama but it's still a joy to watch Donnie Yen (Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, 14 Blades) and Sammo Hung (Call of Heroes, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon) just kicking butt
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
12/30/21
Full Review
Audience Member
Great fights, great story, good actors. Must watch
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/24/23
Full Review
Audience Member
É um filme de Luta. Tirei meia estrelinha porque é vazio de mensagem. Mas na trama, as lutas estão muito bem justificadas. Há situações que não se resolvem com diálogo como no encontro final do inspetor Ma com o gangster wong po.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
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