Cop on a Mission (2001)

Being a big fan of Asian cinema, and with a preference for the Hong Kong scene, it is always nice to fall upon something that I haven't seen before. Hong Kong is known for its mobster action movies, however "Cop on a Mission" ("Ji fat faan fat") just didn't really stand out there, looming in the shadows of movies such as "Infernal Affairs" and many of the John Woo movies. And for a mobster movie, then "Cop on a Mission" turned out to be rather tame, as it was more focused on the intricate affairs within the gang as it was on the action towards rivaling gangs and such.Even with boasting two big names as Daniel Wu and Eric Tsang on the billing list, "Cop on a Mission" just didn't make the cut. It turned out to be a rather mundane and anti-climatic movie. The best part of the movie was actually the ending, which I will not spoil here. Personally, I enjoyed the performance of Eric Tsang more than that of Daniel Wu. There is just something dynamic and charismatic about Eric Tsang and his diversity in his acting.The story in "Cop on a Mission" just doesn't really shift out of a neutral gear, and just trots along at a fairly average pace, which sort of is a shame, because the movie did have potential. Plus the way that the story evolves and turns out is just a tad to much, because it just doesn't really seem all that plausible.For true fans of the Hong Kong movie scene, there will be some enjoyment to be found here, but be warned that there are far, far better Hong Kong movies available. And I suppose this is more in the likes of a movie for fans of Daniel Wu and Eric Tsang.

This movie is all about the great beauty (Pauline) acted by Suki Kwan Sau Mei as triad leader's wife. Her beauty encouraged Daniel to become an undercover cop, however, he admires Pauline very much.With Anya as Daniel Wu's girl friend, not wonder he's searching for better alternative. Eric Tsang was great as the No. 1 leader in the triad but sill loyal and faithful to her charming wife - Pauline.

I found the DVD for sale, and the selling point for me was the casting of Eric Tsang as a triad gangster boss. Tsang was brilliant in 1998's 'Hitman,' alongside Jet Li, in my personal favorite of Li's films. Daniel Wu plays an undercover Hong Kong cop infiltrating the triads to build a case against Tsang's character. However, he soon finds the trappings of the gangster life impossible to resist. He will do anything to protect his identity and the lifestyle he enjoys as a high-ranking mob enforcer, which makes him equally dangerous to both sides of the law.Although you might find this movie in the Martial Arts section of your local video store, it really is not that sort of movie. Don't get me wrong, there is a fair amount of violence. But the gunplay doesn't resemble a ballet, and someone on the receiving end of a kick to the head is likely to be tied to a chair and helpless.

This is different then the usual undercover cop movie.The main character starts off as a normal HK cop working the beat until he decides to follow a suspicious character into a cafe, the guy who they are following freaks and a gun fight ensues resulting in a lot of bloodshed. The guy who they were following was a nobody in the eyes of the triads and gets away due to the fact that the main character is in shock to see what he has just done. He hates his salary as a patrol man and can't even afford to take his girlfriend out to dinner,he becomes involved with a triad boss and is given the choice to go undercover. Now this is where it is different instead of the viewer being forced to view the cliched bring the bad guys down and take them to justice, the viewer gets to see a man fly high and not want to come down. During the film we often bump in to the crook he chased into the cafe at the beginning of the movie he screws him over every time which effects him seriously at the end of the film( I won't spoil). There are many fresh situations that are new and creative for example when the main character first gets involved with the triads he is sent on a mission to rescue his in debt gambling addicted wife from crooks in Macau who will only let her go if he has sex with her and gives them a good show.The acting is excellent,good plot (especially the sub story between he head triad and his wife).I give the film ****/**** for originality that never ceased to amaze me, a great HK film.