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Cast:
Francis
Ng
Anthony
Wong
Simon
Yam
Eddie
Ko
Lam
Suet
Roy
Cheung
Jackie
Lui
Action:
Cheng
Ka Sang
Producer:
Johnnie
To
Director:
Johnnie
To
Score:
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THE
MISSION
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1999 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Hong
Kong has seen a few films in recent years that have gone on to
not only gain local success, but also garner worldwide praise.
Top of this particular tree was Johnnie To's 'The Mission'
which has impressed film festival audiences around the world
and is now allegedly being touted for a future Hollywood
remake. The first major triumph of this stylish thriller is
the very familiar storyline which is here turned into an
exercise in the control of a visionary director.
Former
kung-fu villain Eddie Ko plays triad kingpin Lung who presides
over a powerful army of foot soldiers. When an assassination
attempt is barely foiled by his less expert bodyguards, it's
clear that someone wants Lung out of the way. With the failed
attempt taking part in such a calculated manner though, it's
soon evident that it could be an inside job. Taking this into
account, Lung orders his loyal deputy to hire five independent
bodyguards who will shield him through the upcoming days of
strife. The mission is therefore set before the assorted
quintet of Roy, Shin, Curtis, Mic and James. The various
members of this team each start out with their own loyalties
and friendships, but by the time the they've been through
near-death situations, their relationships soon change. After
the assigned mission is successfully completed and the enemy
is rooted out, the group must face a new challenge. This will
finally test how strong this new bond really is.
In
a style that could best be described as 'cinematic
minimalism', director To shows the same kind of subtlety that
is well seen in the work of Takeshi Kitano. Instead of just
going through the motions of character development within
designated situations, this expertly used technique allows
moments of sheer excellence where nothing happens. The simple
use of the internal practical joke - the last thing to be
expected of in a thriller - is used as the perfect platform
for the protagonists to show their depth. It's the assured
confidence of a skilled film-maker to be unafraid by silence
and to even use it to parade the actors' talents. Rather than
relying on a lyrical script therefore, the performers are here
given moments to shine with just their facial expressions.
Everything about 'The Mission' is well-thought out; every part
of the production has a noticeable stamp of quality. The
film's musical score is one of the first things to grab the
viewer as it alternates between an almost surreal organ piece
and the superb track that plays during the shopping centre
shoot-out. Beyond this is the first-rate performances by the
leading quintet and the numerous other characters within the
picture - all give career-best displays. Thespian heavyweights
Francis Ng, Anthony Wong and Simon Yam stand-out among the
plaudits, but it's also impressive to see frequent bit-part
player Lam Suet a chance to step out of the shadows. Johnnie
To makes sure that every department is of the highest standard
and there really are no major weak areas within the film.
Viewers
expecting the rudimentary thriller that the narrative implies
will be in for a rude awakening as 'The Mission' is not an
average mainstream feature. Within this wonderfully crafted
and thoroughly satisfying film is enough reasons to have full
assurance in the future of Hong Kong cinema. With other
productions of definite merit (even when not up to this
standard) still coming out of the East, there is much to look
forward to. Required viewing and destined to be seen as one of
the most important films to come out of the early part of the
decade.
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