The Prosecutor

Donnie Yen brings his signature style and flair to The Prosecutor, a film that merges courtroom drama with martial arts action. While it delivers on innovative visuals and spectacular fight choreography, its legal intricacies might leave audiences-especially those unfamiliar with the differences between common and civil law-scratching their heads.

The film shines in its technical execution. Creative camera movements and first-person-shooter (FPS) sequences are used to great effect, pulling viewers directly into the action. The fighting choreography is, as expected from Donnie Yen, nothing short of epic. From fluid hand-to-hand combat to intense weapon fights, the action sequences are a masterclass in martial arts cinema. These moments are choreographed with precision and filmed with ingenuity, elevating them beyond typical action fare.

However, the legal drama is where the film falters. For audiences accustomed to the Indonesian legal system, the trial process in The Prosecutor can be baffling. The film's depiction of a prosecutor's journey to confront a supreme judge raises compelling ethical and moral questions, but the lack of clarity in its portrayal of legal norms might prompt viewers to do some research into the differences between legal systems.

One point of contention is the film's claim of being "inspired by a true story." While this lends an air of gravitas, it feels unnecessary-distracting from the narrative's standalone merits. Sometimes, a good story should simply be allowed to exist as fiction without the baggage of supposed real-world connections.

Despite these issues, the bravery of the protagonist to take on a figure of immense power, coupled with Yen's impeccable performance, creates a compelling emotional arc. The film also explores themes of justice and accountability, making it more than just an action-packed spectacle.

The Prosecutor is an interesting film, as it's actually a legal-focused thriller first and foremost, with the martial arts action coming second. I found this blend of genres to work surprisingly well, and I give Donnie props for trying something different. The movie features a phenomenal opening action sequence and an incredible climactic one too. When it comes to the action scenes, you definitely won't be disappointed.

However, the legal aspect-which makes up the majority of the film-is unfortunately a bit lacklustre and predictable. I wish the courtroom scenes had explored more of the complexities of the justice system and delivered more intense drama. It didn't help that the villain was incredibly one-dimensional.

Still, it's an entertaining action movie overall, and this film does show that Donnie knows how to handle action.

Donnie Yen is truly one of the greatest box office draws in the world. His contributions to martial arts and action films is immeasurable. His star status transcends continents, language, and generations. In his latest film release his skills as both a dramatic actor and martial arts action hero are on full display. This film is based upon unbelievable real events.

The Prosecutor is unique in that it could have easily been done as a courtroom drama or a martial arts action film. However, the filmmakers, Yen included, decided to combine the two to make a courtroom drama that is also a martial arts action film. This highly risky gamble really paid dividends in the final result; this film is fantastic.

Yen plays the lead character; a police officer turned Prosecutor whose overarching tenant is Justice, not a mere conviction for political sake. He goes against the establishment in his pursuit of justice for a young man wrongfully convicted to a twenty (27) year sentence for drug trafficking.

The story not only puts him at odds with his own Department, whose characters are adeptly played by the Kent Cheng and Francis Ng, but also with the real drug traffickers he is looking to uncover.

Yen is also the Director on this one and he does a very good job balancing the drama inside the courtroom with the high flying, gritty, martial arts action that takes place in the police chase scenes, and the other fight scenes that The Prosecutor has no shortage of. The courtroom scenes are as good as any courtroom drama films or television productions you will see. Julian Cheung's performance in this film is also notable.

The martial arts fight choreography in this film are first rate. Yen has made a career of consistently innovating and reaching new heights of action choreography in his films. The unique and visually stunning fight scenes in this film make for a highly watchable martial arts action film. Yen never rests on the body of work that has catapulted him to stardom. The fight sequences in The Prosecutor are memorable. The climactic scene on the train is an homage to Sean Connery's From Russia With Love, and it is spectacular.

This international martial action drama is distributed by Well Go USA and is in Cantonese with English subtitles.

The film uniquely respects the two very different genres it lives in and the viewer is winner in this successful merger. We highly recommend The Prosecutor as a great way to start the New Year.

When I saw the trailer to the movie, I was hyped because Donnie Yen's character looked desperate and the title suggests he needs more than his expert martial arts skills to succeed. This is what makes the movie work. In all of Donnie Yen's movie, you know he can use his fists and kicks to solve problems, so to raise the stakes,not only should there be a formidable nemesis but something that even Yen's superb fighting skills will not suffice. In The Prosecutor, Donnie Yen plays a former cop on his first case as Prosecutor and decides to investigate a possible framing of an innocent teen. Of course, he has to fight multiple henchmen and there are great fight scenes but, he still needs to find evidence and keep people alive. So that the challenge is in ensuring people live because Donnie's character can always overcome his enemies but not everyone is him. For me, balancing the action with the story worked to raise the stakes. While there are prolonged dialogues with very in your face lecturing about the duty of a Prosecutor, you can feel Yen's character's desperation because he can't do it alone. Furthermore, Yen is also emphasizing his age. His character admits he can't run after thieves anymore, and we see him taking beatings, but all the fight scenes are still intense and brutal. Yen can still move fast and deal powerful blows. However , playing and aging character, his fights are more tactical and employs use of the surroundings a lot. Yen, being the director, also allows his co star to shine in a few fight scenes. This shows that he is generous as an action star too. I would love to see more movies like this from him, where he is not only physically challenged but intellectually or emotionally challenged. Moreover, Yen consistently tries new techniques in his movies. There is the use of POV camera, to wide-screen shot over a rooftop, to the cramped space of a subway train. It's like he is using his experience in John Wick to use in the movie.

This is definitely the best Donnie Yen film since the classic action masterpiece Flash point. What make it so great is the phenomenal cast of this film, instead of having just one Donnie Yen going solo and all action pack, this film takes the better approach of using many great actors from HK (Chi Lam, Kent Cheng, Francis Ng etc) to take care of the story, dialogue and leveling this film to be more than just an action blockbuster. In this film you can sort of see Donnie Yen age is catching up, slightly reduce the amount of action he does on scene compare to previous movies. However, he also seems to adapt from the his experience in the the Hollywood such as John Wick, the equaliser etc, that being much more environmental with his fighting style, this is fantastic when mixing it up with his own style of fighting. Also great to see he finally get rid of overly do the wing chun and be back to the MMA approach. Despite reducing the amount of action he performs on screen, the quality has just been top notch with everything he shows. The beauty of grappling is second to none in movie history and confident to say no other action choreography can match Donnie Yen's design (99% of flashy choreography in other film falls into the fake and overly use of wire category) While the grappling in this film is solid and realistic while remain eye pleasing just like Flash point. I have been inspired and trained mma for more than a decade by now, unrealistic action design is always cringe when I watch it. But if you know martial arts and grappling, this film paint a beautiful picture with is. Apart from Fash point, even Donnie's SPL and Special ID couldn't captured that master performance. This film is the first that is ever close to flash point level and definitely a better all around film. Here to say Donnie Yen's stunt team are all amazing and truly makes his work shines by a 1000 folds. And we know hard it to make something this beautiful in an action film.