When a cyber-criminal gang disappears with billions, evading capture by outsmarting the Police’s formidable “Sky Eye” surveillance system, they desperately enlist the help of a legend. Wong TakChung (Jackie Chan), a retired tracking expert, mentors rookie officer He Qiuguo (Zhang Zifeng, Aftershock, Upcoming) and rebuilds an elite surveillance unit. Their mission: to track down the elusive “Wolf King,” Fu Longsheng (Leung Ka Fai Tony, Election, Cold War), the mastermind behind the heist. As the police close in, the thieves spring a trap of their own. Brains clash, loyalties are tested, and the ultimate cat-and-mouse game is about to begin…
Let me kick off by saying Jackie Chan is back to his best (Not that he went away) but anyone doubting that Jackie couldn’t entertain us anymore needs to watch The Shadow’s Edge. As for story don’t let the trailer lure you into thinking this is 90 minutes of blood soaked brutality, dont worry its there but towards the later part of the film when Jackie Chan’s character Wong Tak Chung takes on the criminal mastermind Fu Longsheng played by Leung Ka Fai. Yes this is the character Laung played in Eye in the Sky but this film is not a sequel as such more a re-imaging of that 2007 film.
The Shadow’s Edge, like i say, takes a time to get to where most people want to see that bloody confrontation and so the first part, especially the opening sequence, plays out like an Ocean’s Eleven crime caper where the cops are always one step behind and then a cat and mouse situation occurs as Jackie is brought in to hunt them down. This works so well as it builds both story and character arcs so when you do get to that bloody climax and yes brutal finale it adds more punch, literally. That end set up though will have you agasp, bear in mind both Jackie and Leung have a combined age of, well lets just say mature, damn do they give it their all and Director Larry Yang doesn’t shy away from the blood as both Jackie and Leung take a beating.
Jackie Chan regains his crown with a stellar performance. The Shadow’s Edge is both Bloody and Beautiful, with a well crafted story that both thrills and entertains you in equal measure. Cineasia have knocked it out the park.
This is the Must see film of the Year!
