The Bodyguard from Beijing (1994) (Chinese, with English subtitles)
Also called Zhong Nan Hai bao biao (1994)
A movie review by David Sunga
Directed by: Corey Yuen Kwai Starring: Jet Li, Christy Chung, Kent Cheng, Ngai Sing
Synopsis:
In this drama about the purity and ultimate triumph of Asian values, a beautiful prosecution witness in Hong Kong (Christy Cheung) is looking for romance and must choose between the eligible Chinese men in her life. Her options: 1. The Chinese-American ("I know I broke my promise to visit you, but take these gifts instead."); 2. The Hong Kong cops ("Jeez, I let a kid pickpocket me, and now I have a water pistol instead of a real gun."), or; 3. A strict he-man bodyguard (Jet Li) from mainland China who keeps his mouth shut, his eyes down, and his mind on the honor of the Beijing Bodyguard Corps.
In the well-choreographed action subplot, the bad guys go after Michelle. Bodyguard Hoi (Jet Li) periodically blows away hundreds of bad guys with his pistol. In the end a flag is raised to Hoi; he did his duty.
Stars: Beijing born Jet Li successfully made the transition from martial arts to drama. He was a five-time Chinese national champion in wushu, a dramatic performance art that mixes martial arts forms with Peking Opera, gymnastics, and acrobatics.
Christy Cheung represented the city of Montreal, Canada in the 1993 TVB Miss Chinese International Pageant.
Opinion: I got the impression the actors were somewhat handicapped by the way the characters were written. Michelle is flighty and vacuous, so conversation is limited to slamming doors in indignation. Li's character Hoi is the strong, silent type, so aside from fight scenes he can do little more than pout and look down. Limitations such as these don't allow the actors much space for romantic chemistry or communication, so the film is devoid of dialogue between the two that is any more complex than the stamping of angry feet. As a result, enjoyment of the movie boils down to a few bare bones essentials: fan faith, the physical beauty of Christy Cheung, and Li's fight scenes.
The film relies heavily on action, and the majority of the action scenes are well crafted and satisfying. Li's kung fu is fast and furious, as usual. Rambo fans also get to see Li stand up unscathed and shoot about 50 guys with his pistol in a mall and at home. On the negative side, Li strikes inexplicable and superfluous fashion poses as he stands on the stairway firing his gun at bad guys. Other action sequences - - in which the supposedly ordinary bodyguard is pulled across a counter by invisible strings, breathes copious amounts of poison gas with no ill effects, and holds glowing flashlights in the dark without being shot at in a room full of assassins - - are creatively fun. Ngai Sing turns in a solid performance as a vengeful villain.
Unfortunately for non-Chinese speakers the subtitles are very roughly translated and often difficult to read against the film's bright background. But language is no impediment to predicting the film's events and outcome.
Reviewed by David Sunga
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