[yasr_overall_rating]
An illegal immigrant from Mainland China sneaks into corrupt British-colonized Hong Kong in 1963, transforming himself into a ruthless and emerging drug lord.
It takes a minute to find your bearings in the dizzying drug world of 60s/70s Hong Kong in “Chasing the Dragon,” a film based on the story of the drug lord Ng Sek-ho. Directors Jason Kwan and Wong Jing pack in lots of details that are easy to miss through the series of montages and jumps in time. Your brain is constantly playing catch-up, trying to process it all. But the fast-paced nature of the film I think has this bizarre surrealist caricature effect which is both terribly silly but also a really good time. I mean, who doesn’t want to see Donnie Yen in a bad wig and mustache, but still killin’ it with Andy Lau?
Donnie Yen steps away from the poised and precise persona of “Ip Man” and goes down a more melodramatic path by portraying the infamous Hong Kong drug lord Crippled Ho. He pairs well with Andy Lau who reprises the role of Lee Rock. “Chasing the Dragon” starts off as a simple immigrant story. Brother Ho and his “brothers” (and actual little brother) illegally immigrate to Hong Kong from mainland China, and it’s a rough start. After a scuffle that involves attacking British police officer Ernest Hunt/ ”Hunter” (Bryan Larkin), Ho and his brothers befriend the detective Lee Rock, who takes a liking to Ho because of his fighting skills.
The two become a powerful duo as they stake claim and operate with other drug lords within the walled city of Kowloon, a city blooming with beautiful corruption. Drug addicts get their drugs, drug lords get rich, and the buffoonish British police turn a blind eye for a piece of the action. Everything is bliss until it isn’t. Crippled Ho becomes quite powerful and somewhat erratic. He walks the line when it comes to the established rules. And it doesn’t help that there’s a newfound desire to “clean-up” the city by new higher-ups. Alliances are tested and lives taken, and it’s more or less thrilling.
At its best, “Chasing the Dragon” is reminiscent of the Brazilian film “City of God” without the grittiness. And at its worst (but also best) it verges on caricature, as if the actors are overly projecting, amplifying their characters, and it can be nauseating. But overall, “Chasing the Dragon” is compelling, exciting, and its excess plays mostly to its benefit. Most intriguing was the portrayal of British colonialism. The British police are goons, power hungry and greedy in all aspects of life. There is an epic turn of events when Crippled Ho breaks a cardinal rule, and it’s glorious and easily the best and most powerful moment in the film. It says everything it could possibly say about the ills of colonialism. Or at least as much one could say within the confines of a flashy crime drama.
Now available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & Digital HD
