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THE
BODYGUARD FROM BEIJING
AKA:
The Defender
Year:
1994 Reviewer: Scott
Napier
Hyped as a remake of the American 'The Bodyguard', the clumsy and incompetent attempts here only result with disappointment (even without the plot similarities).
Top bodyguard graduate from Beijing - Hui Ching Yang (Jet Li) is sent to Hong Kong to protect a murder witness: Michelle Yeung (Christy Chung) – the spoiled girlfriend of a wealthy business tycoon. Initially 3 witnesses, 2 are eventually ‘taken care of’ leaving Michelle the only one left (with pure luck). Whilst at first she’s frustrated with his prying methods to protect her, it pays off after being whisked away from a crowded shopping centre full of assassins. Feeling guilty about doubting him, it’s not before long that she gets closer to him emotionally. Unfortunately, one of the assassins killed by Ching Yang during the mall-rescue is the brother of a retired solider (also contracted to killing Michelle) who’s intentions to get both of them are beyond ridding of a witness.
This (and
'New Legend of
Shaolin') sees Jet apply a 'lone warrior'-like characteristic to display his serious outlook. Quite simply, he will always look good for a movie (always has done), it just depends on whether his on-screen
partner(s) will do the same to keep the film's appeal which is sadly not what
we've entirely got here. Christy comes across as a sexy lead and she has the ability to display some convincing acting but unfortunately, poor direction (trying on a silly wooing act which lingers too long for instance) has a part in the awkward, silly and cringing situations. I
don't blame Christy as it's been proven on what I can say about the other two who have noticeable, rather uninteresting supporting roles: Screenplay drops low when things build up to be promising and acceptable.
I think ultimately, this was a bad combination where multiple talents have been dumped on a contracted production. Kent can display some good acting ability but not really here.
It's this mixture when he isn't suited to what's going on and then relegated to a slob that only takes up space with the silly gambling/drinking-buddy antics with Joey Leung (the two play HK cops also assigned to protect Michelle locally)
- it favours little. Corey Yuen could have come up with something that would have benefited the main concept better.
Action-wise: Ngai Sing displays some interesting baton tricks whilst Jet works with a gun. Otherwise, this is a stinker as the (nearly) un-armed finale left me feeling under whelmed by the incredibly disappointing choreography where Jet attacks with slapping hands (as if they were in some kind of bitch fight)! This is probably the worst action
we've seen from Corey (and Yuen Tak for that matter).
And last but not least: I
couldn't help but notice the superfluous final scene at the end - Ching Yang standing with a Chinese flag waving behind him. Maybe save it for a war film or
something...
This had potential to be remembered as a classic action film, but Corey Yuen has failed miserably compared to his other wonderful classics. For enthusiasts only.
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