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Starring
:
Daniel
Wu
Kam
Kwok Leung
Emil
Chow
Josie
Ho
Joan
Chen
Action
:
Stephen
Tung Wai
Producer
:
John
Chong
Solon
So
Director
:
Teddy
Chen
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PURPLE
STORM (1999)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
After
success with such fast-moving action films as 'Downtown
Torpedoes', director Teddy Chen attempted to blend the
expected excitement of the action genre with a more thought
provoking framework. The result was 'Purple Storm', a film
that despite its flaws is an admirable effort at something a
bit more multi-layered.
The
intriguing narrative centres on a group of Cambodian
terrorists planning to ignite a worldwide political inferno
with a series of attacks based in Hong Kong. The main aim is
the deployment of a deadly chemical weapon into the heavily
populated Hong Kong streets; this chemical, when dropped,
forms clouds of poisonous gas that comes down in coloured
droplets known as 'Purple Storm'. While smuggling these
weapons, one of the group is knocked unconscious and captured
by the Anti-Terrorist Force. This young man, Todd (Wu),
suffers amnesia and has therefore no recollection of his past
or his purposes for being in Hong Kong. His use to the
Anti-Terrorist Force is increased when it's discovered that he
is also the son of the terrorists ruthless leader, Soong and
he could well be used to draw out the wanted man. Todd
therefore has his past reconstructed to the authorities
specifications and is now reprogrammed as an undercover
government agent who has been hurt on a mission. However,
drawing Soong out will certainly not be easy and stopping the
use of the chemical weapons is not guaranteed either. Added to
this game of cat and mouse between Soong and the authorities
is the fact that Todd is slowly beginning to remember who he
really is and that he has a father and a wife among the
terrorist factions.
Critics
seem somewhat divided on the whole debate as to how to
appreciate 'Purple Storm; some have seen it as an intelligent
mixture of political thriller and police procedural drama
whereas others have derided it as another attempt to mimic
Hollywood in terms of style and substance. The film is perhaps
more of the former than the latter and while it doesn't quite
offer the level of depth that it initially promises, it does
maintain a good level of interest throughout its duration. The
political side of the film, though ultimately under-developed,
gives the film an extra level of depth and will probably be of
interest to Western viewers who are not fully aware of its
complexity. To those with more knowledge of the suggested
politics, the film may be simplistic in its handling of these
matters, but commendation needs to go to Teddy Chen for trying
to make a more mature type of action-thriller. The tension
between Soong and Todd is one of the film's definite
highlights and the gradual approach to the narrative
resolution is something that draws the viewer in. Intertwined
with this is some impressive action set-pieces and some not so
impressive CGI effects - something that still tends to haunt
modern Hong Kong productions. 'Purple Storm' also features
some excellent performances; Daniel Wu is very effective in a
challenging role and displays the correct amount of emotional
turmoil for his character without resorting to histrionics and
Josie Ho's laconic terrorist rightfully earned a best
supporting actress nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Strangely enough, it is Joan Chen who is the weaker link among
the performances though her somewhat unconvincing part in the
film is not given too much screen time.
'Purple
Storm' does not bridge the huge divide between high-brow
thriller and commercial actioner with total success, but it is
comforting to see a film attempt to. If you're not expecting a
deep examination into Asia's politics then 'Purple Storm' is
an absorbing and emotionally charged action-thriller that does
more than just pass the time.
Rating:
 
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