Dong jing gong lüe

When I saw the cast on the posters for 'Tokyo' I went "wow". Kelly Chen, Ekin Cheng and of course Tonly Leung. I was at first sceptical because of the Director Jingle Ma who directed another action film 'VR cops' which was terrible. But for his 2nd action film he really has learned a lot. Obviously basing himself on John Woo (note the amount of dove shots and use of slow motions) and trying out some 'timelapse' shots, it really brings out some life into the film. Tony Leung and Ekin Cheng actually play well off each other, for the cantonese audience it is at times obvious when the cast ad-lib which was left untranslated and simplified on the English translation. The film is very simple and the twists get a bit over-done with one after another, but overall it did turn out quite good. Personally, I enjoyed the film with it's unique blend of Japanese and Chinese acting and a comedic score, it is a fun film.

Jingle Ma, long one of Hong Kong's best cinematographers, shows here that he can create and direct an amazing film when given greater control.

"Tokyo Raiders" is a quintessential HK fusion film, containing plenty of traditional HK elements but making superb use of Japanese and Western elements as well. The soundtrack alone makes it stand out from other HK films of the post-New Wave era, but "Tokyo Raiders" adds great humor, irony, editing, photography, and a broad spectrum of choreography and action (a nod to Jackie Chan-film regular bit actor Allen Chiu-wai Sit as action choreographer here).

The main cast comes off very well, playing characters that veer from serious (or, in some cases, at least near-serious) to absurd -- as the story does the same. "Tokyo Raiders" is really an action-comedy, and strong in both categories, and the cast is a delight.

I usually really hate fancy editing and camera-work for action scenes. If the action is any good, it should be presented cleanly and clearly, so the audience can see it. Anyone can fake action (albeit poorly, in most cases) by messing with the film. That's not impressive. If you have a cast capable of real action and go to the trouble of choreographing real action, then you're only hurting the film by chopping it up with close-ups, slow motion, rapid cuts, and the like.

But in "Tokyo Raiders", Jingle Ma shows that he has the very rare talent of actually enhancing action sequences through careful use of effects. Personally, even if the film weren't so all-around enjoyable, I think this would make it worth seeing all by itself. Most other action directors should take notes.

It's true that many viewers may find the thread of the plot a little hard to follow at times, but this isn't the kind of movie where you have to follow everything to enjoy it. (Few HK action films are, and it's a good thing, too.) And it's true that many viewers will wish that Tony Leung's character's assistants had more screen time. Well, no film is truly perfect, but "Tokyo Raiders" is definitely worth a shot if you like Asian action films and comedies at all.

Just be sure, if you don't speak Mandarin and Japanese, to get a subtitled, not dubbed copy, and not panned-and-scanned (edited to fit a TV screen) if you can help it. As with most foreign films, it makes a world of difference.

Jingle Ma's 'Tokyo Raiders' is a fun-packed action comedy. It's one of those films where the story is secondary. Yes, the story is flawed and a little silly but there is enough of the other stuff to keep one entertained. The action sequences are well choreographed. There isn't too much violence or gore (there's hardly any blood on screen). The cinematography is pretty good too as it captures modern Japan so brilliantly. Tony Leung Chi Wai, Kelly Chen and Ekin Cheng form quite a cool trio. Leung proves to be a very good comedic actor which adds to his versatility. Kelly Chen impressed me with her acting for a change. Cheng does a fine job as he holds his own against Leung. With amusing fight sequences, slapstick and situational comedy and funny lines, 'Tokyo Raiders' has the ingredients of a successful enjoyable action comedy.

Jingle Ma has once again failed to deliver the enticement action/thriller fans crave for. With tactics and themes similar to the exquisite works of John Woo and Ang Lee, Ma's latest (and derivative) project is just another bland action film waiting to be criticised. Like his previous flops, "Fly Me To Polaris", "Drunken Fist 2" and "Rumble in the Bronx", Tokyo Raiders has no real plot which will catch the attention of the audience. Bride waits at altar, groom fails to show up, bride finds help to find the groom, bride becomes tangled in a web of deceit and violence, etc, etc. Very boring, very un-original. However, the failure of the film does not rest entirely on Jingle Ma himself, most of the cast are near terrible themselves. Hong Kong showpony, Kelly Chen tries her best to make an impression to the audience; to portray herself as a distressed bride who only wants her fiancee back.....and to earn the sympathy of them. Personally, I feel more sorry for the groom, Takehashi, for being engaged to someone as dull as Macy (Chen). The Japanese cast were just as terrible, with Nakamura Toru and Abe Hiroshi showing bland and un-convincing acting skills. In my own opinion, only the excellence of Tony Leung Chiu Wai saved the film from further canning.

This film is best avoided......at all costs.

Well, the DVD came out here in the UK, without any announcement, and I hadn't heard of it, so having enjoyed Tony Leung in titles like "Bullet In The Head" and "Hard-Boiled" (both John Woo films), I thought I'd give this a try. All I can say, is that it's bizarre, to say the least!

Part James Bond, part Mission Impossible, and part modern-day action/comedy ala "Indiana Jones", it's essentially a crime-caper story about one man's attempt to blackmail a Mob Boss. It will not be to everyones fancy, that's for sure, but those who stick with it, will have an enjoyable little HK action movie.

It's not what you'd expect, but it is an interesting title to watch, although some viewers may well give-up on it, before watching the entire movie. Considering that only the 97 minute edit was released here, it would be interesting to see the longer 2-hour cut, as seen in Australia, et al.

The best-bit, without a doubt, is the motorised-skateboard/BMX bike chase! Very wacky, and very funny, and very, very cool!