DVD Review: Cold War
Cold War begins with a bang. Literally. An explosion in Mongkok sets everyon on edge, and then a Police Emergency Unit van goes missing, along with it’s five occupants. Ransom demands soon follow and then the finger pointing. Hong Kong’s POlice have spent substantial sums of money on advance communications equipment just so things like this don’t happen. That probably why the main IT guy gets woken up with a slushy being forced down his throat. Hey baby, it’s Hong Kong, these things happen.
For a sharp and stylish Hong Kong Police Thriller, Cold War plays most of it’s twists and turns in the various offices. This is for the most part a suit and tie affair. Don’t let that worry you however, as the pace is frenetic, and we get to see enough action outside of the office to keep our action junkie side sated.
The various tiers of police and government all have their own agendas, and it soon become apparent that the ransom demanders know a thing or two about police procedures, and in true Honk Kong style, the twists and turns come faster that a machine-gun’s delivery of red hot lead.
As the film takes you further down the rabbit hole you’ll have to be on your toes to keep up with what’s going on, but don’t worry because it all plays out in the end. But even then, when you think you’ve understood what’s just happened, Cold War throws a curve ball with an extra scene, setting the film up for a sequel, or at least giving you something to think about, internally debate, spinning the entire outcome of the film on it’s head.
If you like your police thrillers smart, action paced and superbly presented, Cold War will not disappoint.
Rating: R16 Violence.
FILMGUIDE rating:
