High Risk (1995 film)

Last updated

High Risk
High-Risk-Poster.jpg
Hong Kong film poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 鼠膽龍威
Simplified Chinese 鼠胆龙威
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Shú Dán Lóng Wěi
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping Syu2 Daam2 Lung4 Wai1
Directed by Wong Jing
Written byWong Jing
Produced byWong Jing
Starring Jet Li
Jacky Cheung
Chingmy Yau
Charlie Yeung
Yang Chung-hsien
CinematographyLau Moon-tong
Edited byAngie Lam
Music byJussi Tegelman
Richard Yuen
Production
company
Wong Jing's Workshop Limited
Distributed byUpland Films Corporation Limited
Release date
  • 13 July 1995 (1995-07-13)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box office$11,403,790

High Risk (released under the alternative title Meltdown in the United States and Super Bodyguard in the Philippines) is a 1995 Hong Kong action comedy film written, produced and directed by Wong Jing and starring Jet Li, Jacky Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Charlie Yeung and Yang Chung-hsien. Corey Yuen serves as the film's fight choreographer.

Contents

The film is a parody of some of Hollywood's most influential action films, such as Die Hard and Speed .

Plot

Kit Li, a cop on the Hong Kong Police bomb squad, responds to a call at a local school, where a terrorist group led by an individual calling himself "The Doctor" has taken a school bus hostage. He soon discovers his wife and son are on board the explosives-rigged bus. The bus eventually explodes, killing everyone on the bus.

Two years later in Hong Kong, Kit leaves the force and serves as a stunt double for martial arts action star Frankie Lone. However, Helen, a tabloid reporter, films one of his stunts and thus discovers Lone's duplicity, using it to boost her show's ratings.

Frankie's father and his manager invite Kit to a jewelry exhibition at a newly opened Hotel, but the Doctor also targets the exhibition. At a traffic stop, Kit overhears the Doctor uttering a catchphrase that he used during the school bus bombing, and realizing the Doctor's identity, he follows the car back to the Hotel.

The Doctor and his team take over the building and initiate a massacre. Kit and Chow return, only to find themselves ambushed by the Doctor's gang members in a shootout, during which Chow is injured. Frankie manages to escape and runs into Fai.

Kit and Chow thin out the Doctor's numbers after driving the car out of the freight elevator. Frankie's father wrestles a weapon away from a terrorist and threatens the hacker trying to deactivate the exhibit's security measures. Chow is reunited with his girlfriend Joyce. Kit tries to kill the Doctor in revenge when the villain mocks him, but the attempt tips the scales back in the terrorists' favor. Kit, Helen and Frankie's father barely manage to escape.

Helen runs into a room with an exhibit of poisonous reptiles, places the videotape underneath a display case and hides in the men's washroom. The Doctor's younger brother, Rabbit, throws some of the snakes into the bathroom, poisoning her in the process. Kit and the Lones rescue Helen, administering anti-venom serum, and Kit learns that Helen managed to record the Doctor's face in her footage.

Meanwhile, the Doctor warns the police that if they do not meet his impossible demands, he will toss a hostage out the window every ten minutes, with Frankie's manager Charlie Tso as the first victim. Kit retrieves the tape, and successfully kills Rabbit before escaping a grenade blast and landing in police custody. The police refuse to let Kit go back into the hotel, so Kit forces the desk sergeant he encountered earlier to let him return via helicopter at gunpoint. The Lones meet Fai and Kong in the midst of an argument that has escalated into a fight. The Lones intervene, unaware of Fai's true colors, until she holds them at gunpoint. Fai is about to murder Chow, but Chow seizes her gun and shoots her dead. Kong attacks Frankie's entourage; but when he begins punching Frankie's father, Frankie retaliates and kills Kong.

The Doctor intercepts a police transmission and sends his men to ambush the helicopter. Helen manages to warn Kit, who rams the helicopter into the building. In the resulting chaos everyone escapes, but the Doctor captures Helen and takes her to the roof. Kit finds Helen with a bomb strapped to her, and the Doctor taunts him to choose between taking revenge on him or saving the life of another loved one. Kit throws a knife, hitting the Doctor in the shoulder before the latter escapes. Kit finds out that the wiring is the same as the last bomb, and this time successfully defuses it. During the defusal, he gets a call from the Doctor. Kit informs the Doctor that the dagger he threw was coated with snake venom from Helen's wound. The Doctor dies in agony and his body is looted by a trio of passing teenagers.

Frankie decides to use the incident as the basis for his new movie, while crediting everyone for their heroics. Kit, however, leaves with Helen, who expresses her gratitude with an announcement of wishing to marry him.

Cast

Release

High Risk was released theatrically in Hong Kong on 13 July 1995.

Reception

The film grossed a modest HK $11,403,790 in Hong Kong, where it was released as 鼠胆龍威 (High Risk, Rat's bravery and Dragon's might), which parodies the title of Die Hard (虎膽龍威 Tiger's bravery and Dragon's might) in Hong Kong.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Police Story 2</i> 1988 Hong Kong film

Police Story 2, also known marketed as Police Story Part 2 is a 1988 Hong Kong action comedy film starring and directed by Jackie Chan, who also wrote the screenplay with Edward Tang. It is a sequel to the hit 1985 film Police Story, continuing the storyline of Chan's character "Kevin" Chan Ka-kui, and is the second installment of Police Story series. It also marks the last appearance in the series for Lam Kwok-Hung as Chief Inspector Raymond Li, Chor Yuen as Chu Tao and Charlie Cho as John Ko.

<i>Tricky Brains</i> 1991 Hong Kong film

Tricky Brains, also known as The Ultimate Trickster, is a 1991 Hong Kong comedy film written and directed by Wong Jing, who also co-stars in the film. The film stars Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, Rosamund Kwan, Chingmy Yau, Ng Man-tat and Waise Lee.

<i>A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon</i> 1989 film by Tsui Hark

A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon is a 1989 Hong Kong action drama film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Tsui Hark. It is a loosely based prequel to John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and A Better Tomorrow II.

<i>The Banquet</i> (1991 film) 1991 Hong Kong film

The Banquet, also known as Party of a Wealthy Family, is a 1991 Hong Kong comedy film. It was quickly filmed for a Hong Kong flood relief charity, after the Yangtze River flooded in July of that year, killing over 1,700 people and displacing many more in the eastern and southern regions of mainland China.

<i>Fatal Move</i> 2008 Hong Kong film

Fatal Move is a 2008 Hong Kong action film written, produced and directed by Dennis Law. The film stars Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing, who reunite after 2005's SPL: Sha Po Lang.

<i>Connected</i> (2008 film) 2008 Hong Kong film

Connected is a 2008 Hong Kong action film, and a remake of the 2004 American film Cellular co-written, produced and directed by Benny Chan. The film stars Louis Koo, Barbie Hsu, Nick Cheung, and Liu Ye. Connected tells the story of Bob (Koo), a single father who receives a distressing phone call on his cellular phone from Grace Wong (Hsu), a woman who has been kidnapped by a gang of corrupt Interpol agents who have a hidden agenda.

<i>Legendary Couple</i> 1995 Hong Kong film

Legendary Couple, also known as Story of a Robber, is a 1995 Hong Kong action film directed by Peter Ngor and starring Simon Yam and Chingmy Yau.

<i>Island of Greed</i> 1997 Hong Kong film

Island of Greed is a 1997 Hong Kong action political crime thriller film directed by Michael Mak and starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung Ka-fai. The film is set and filmed in Taiwan and deals with corruption in the Government of the Republic of China.

<i>ICAC Investigators 2007</i>

ICAC Investigators 2007 is the 2007 installment of the ICAC Investigator series, produced by Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and TVB. It is broadcast on TVB Jade channel. Each criminal case is based on actual cases investigated by the ICAC.

<i>Carry On Pickpocket</i> 1982 Hong Kong film

Carry On Pickpocket is a 1982 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, who also stars in it, alongside Frankie Chan, Deanie Ip and Richard Ng. Hung, along with his stunt team, the Sammo Hung Stuntmen's Association, Yuen Biao, Lam Ching-ying and Billy Chan served as action directors. For his performance in the film, Hung received the Best Actor award at the 2nd Hong Kong Film Awards and shared it with Karl Maka for Aces Go Places.

<i>They Came to Rob Hong Kong</i> 1989 film by Clarence Fok

They Came to Rob Hong Kong is a 1989 Hong Kong action comedy film produced and directed by Clarence Fok and starring Dean Shek, who also serves as the film's writer and executive producer. The film co-stars Chingmy Yau, Roy Cheung, Sandra Ng, Eric Tsang, Stanley Fung, Liu Wai-hung and Chin Siu-ho.

<i>Danger Has Two Faces</i> 1985 Hong Kong film

Danger Has Two Faces is a 1985 Hong Kong action film directed by Alex Cheung and starring Bryan Leung, Paul Chu and Fei Xiang. The film is produced and distributed by Shaw Brothers Studio.

<i>Cold War</i> (2012 film) 2012 Hong Kong film

Cold War is a 2012 Hong Kong police procedural action thriller film directed by Sunny Luk and Longman Leung, starring Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka-fai, and guest starring Andy Lau. The film was selected as the opening film at the 17th Busan International Film Festival and released in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China on 8 November 2012.

<i>The Romancing Star III</i> 1989 Hong Kong film

The Romancing Star III is a 1989 Hong Kong romantic comedy film directed by Sherman Wong and starring Stanley Fung, Wong Jing, Lawrence Cheng, James Wong, Shing Fui-On, Sam Christopher Chan and guest stars Andy Lau, the star of The Romancing Star II

<i>Best of the Best</i> (1992 film) 1992 Hong Kong film

Best of the Best is a 1992 Hong Kong action film directed by Herman Yau and starring Jacky Cheung, Ng Man-tat and Sammi Cheng in her debut film role.

<i>With or Without You</i> (1992 film) 1992 Hong Kong film

With or Without You is a 1992 Hong Kong action film directed by Taylor Wong and starring Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai, Rosamund Kwan and Ng Man-tat. Due to the popularity of Cheung's role as the antagonist, "Prince", a prequel to the film, titled No More Love, No More Death, which focuses on the character of "Prince", was released the following year.

<i>Trivisa</i> 2016 Hong Kong film

Trivisa is a 2016 Hong Kong action crime thriller film produced by Johnnie To and Yau Nai-hoi, featuring the directorial debuts of newcomers Frank Hui, Jevons Au and Vicky Wong. The film is a fictionalized story about three real-life notorious Hong Kong mobsters, Kwai Ping-hung, Yip Kai Foon and Cheung Tze-keung, who are portrayed in the film by Gordon Lam, Richie Jen and Jordan Chan respectively. The film had its world premiere at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival's Forum section. The film also opened the 40th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 21 March 2016 and was theatrically released in Hong Kong on 7 April 2016.

<i>Explosive City</i> 2004 Hong Kong film

Explosive City is a 2004 Hong Kong action film written, produced and directed by Sam Leong and starring Simon Yam, Alex Fong, Hisako Shirata and Sonny Chiba.

<i>Boys Are Easy</i> 1993 Hong Kong film

Boys Are Easy also known as Chasing Boys is a 1993 Hong Kong romantic comedy film directed by Wong Jing, it stars Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Jacky Cheung, Ekin Cheng and Jimmy Lin. The film ran in theaters from 12 August 1993 until 1 September 1993. The film is separated into 3 different stories, a male prostitute falling in love with a violent police officer; a kind social worker falling in love with a gangster; a naive virgin falling in love with a doctor.

<i>Flying Tiger 3</i> Hong Kong crime action drama series

Flying Tiger 3 is a crime action drama web television series produced by Shaw Brothers Studio. It is the third installment of the Flying Tiger franchise. Produced by Viriginia Lok, the series stars Michael Miu, Bosco Wong, Ron Ng, Cheung Siu-fai, Joe Ma, Moses Chan, Roger Kwok, Oscar Leung and Edwin Siu as the main cast.

References

  1. 1 2 McCarter, Reid (16 August 2022). "Let's revisit the time Jet Li starred in a movie made to mock Jackie Chan". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  2. LaSalle, Mick (15 December 1995). "Hong Kong Icon Gets Chopped Up / 'High Risk' spoofs Jackie Chan". SFGATE . Retrieved 24 June 2023.