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Cast:
Ekin
Cheng
Jordan
Chan
Kelly
Chen
Terence
Lin
Action:
Stephen
Tung Wai
Producer:
Jackie
Chan
Director:
Jingle
Ma
Score:
 
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HOT
WAR
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1998 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Jackie
Chan produced this impressive action film with science fiction
overtones and once again Ekin Cheng and Jordan Chan are teamed
together.
International
terrorist Alien takes a sinister interest in the scientific
development of subliminal encoding. Mastery of these
mind-altering waves could mean unlimited power over the masses
through television transmissions, naturally allowing
domination and immense wealth for the owner. To this end,
Alien kidnaps some of the world's top scientific minds to help
him achieve his aim. Tango (Cheng), C.S. (Jordan Chan) and
Blue (Kelly Chen) are three scientists developing the Prjoect
VR Fighter - a military programme that can turn an ordinary
man into a top combat agent in a matter of weeks. Alien uses
C.S.'s wedding as the perfect opportunity to kidnap Blue for
his research, but he also kills his bride-to-be, shattering
his life. The C.I.A are unwilling to send a force to find Blue
and so her two friends decide to utilise the Project VR
Fighter themselves. Now with exceptional abilities, Tango and
C.S go to Hong Kong to rescue Blue and gain revenge against
Alien. However, it gradually develops that others who went
through the Project VR Fighter training are showing certain
side-effects...
'Hot
War' was made before 'The Matrix' and it does seem that some
of the ideas in this film have filtered into the Keanu Reeves
blockbuster. The effects are not up to the standard of 'The
Matrix', but they are still impressive and are coupled
together with some fine action set-pieces. Ekin Cheng gives
another pleasantly understated performance while newcomer
Kelly Chen is much more than just decoration. Jordan Chan is
given the most tortured of all the lead roles, but it is a
role that he pulls off with aplomb. Although this didn't set
the Hong Kong box-office alight, it is still recommended
viewing.
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