BAD BLOOD Review
When a triad boss is executed by Mainland authorities for attempting to smuggle counterfeiting copperplates into Hong Kong, his triad society is thrown into disarray. His vast fortune is left to his two adult children, Audrey (Bernice Liu) and Jason (Lai Lok Yi), but his triad brothers, especially Funky (Simon Yam), insist the money belongs to the gang. Meanwhile, Calf (Andy On), the facially scarred son of a prostitute, is plotting his own revenge against the gang, together with his mute protégé, Dumby (Jiang Lu Xia from COWEB). But even as the different parties begin to put their deadly plans into effect, all is not what is seems and not everybody is who they appear to be.
Almost from the outset, BAD BLOOD is the victim of its own ambition. With precious little money to play with, but a few stars and some talented martial artists, writer/producer/director Dennis Law (FATAL CONTACT) has set out to make a no-holds-barred action revenge thriller. It boasts numerous skilfully-choreographed fight sequences, almost all of which feature the impressive Andy On and Jiang Lu Xia, displaying a variety of styles and weapon techniques, including imaginatively choreographed scuffles with sticks, knifes and that old blade-on-a-rope thingy. It is in these sequences where BAD BLOOD really works and even the most begrudging of critics must concede that the film is at least sporadically entertaining as a result. There are other moments to be enjoyed in the film, but outside of the action, they are almost entirely unintentional.
Law's script is either overly ambitious or ridiculous depending on your point of view, but either way it regularly falls short of reaching the dramatic heights it aspires to. It is unevenly paced and when not showcasing martial arts or leering over its scantily clad supporting cast, it is regularly tedious, pointless and clunky. Lengthy sequences dwell on characters performing menial tasks, like making a cup of coffee or packing a suitcase, serving no discernible narrative purpose, and exposing the ramshackle nature of the production. However, the film slowly but surely builds momentum towards its utterly absurd, yet somewhat entertaining finale, thus sidestepping total condemnation.
Simon Yam gives the same "bad guy" performance we have seen from him countless times before, nonchalantly wolfing down handfuls of peanuts while threatening anybody who gets between him and his money, and in his final showdown sports an awesome yellow overcoat that simply could not go without mentioning. Bernice Liu plays the homely daughter-turned-implausible femme fatale with a fair amount of gusto, but she never convinces as the bloodthirsty badass the script would have us believe her to be.
More than anyone else, the film belongs to Andy On and Jiang Lu Xia and viewers would be forgiven for thinking BAD BLOOD was actually just their fight show reel, with some talky bits in between. For the first half at least their scenes feel like they're from a different film entirely, but when the stories do come together (for reasons that are never entirely explained) the film very much sides with them and it is easy enough for the viewer to do the same.
There are numerous cameos throughout from familiar faces such as Lam Suet, Wong Tin Lam, Chan Wai Man, Xiong Xin Xin and Cheung Siu Fai, which go some way to showing the goodwill towards production company POV Movie, whose fledgling project this is. Where they go from here remains to be seen but I for one will be keeping an eye on their future projects with a measured degree of curiosity.
It could never be argued that BAD BLOOD is a good film, or even a particularly competent one, but it does feature moments of genuinely entertaining and impressive action and the plot raises more than a few smiles. Along the way it also provokes yawns, groans and far too many glances at the watch to be considered a successful dramatic work, which is a shame because this will doubtless prevent it being picked up for significant international distribution. This could have been a great opportunity to bring further exposure to its rising action stars, but for the time being at least, that particular breakthrough project continues to elude them.
