In the Line of Duty 4 (1989)

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Very much in the line of hard-hitting late '80s Hong Kong cop flicks like POLICE ASSASSINS and POLICE STORY 2 comes IN THE LINE OF DUTY, actually the fourth in a series of films but retitled for the purpose of simplicity for UK release. It's the film that propelled Donnie Yen into stardom and is probably the most action-packed of all kung fu flicks that I've watched so far. Director Yuen Woo-ping knows what the audience wants and he gives it to them, offering one superlative action sequence after another, building up to a fight-filled climax that will please any martial arts fan.Of course, in the face of so much action, something has to suffer and, as is so often the case, here it's the plot. This time around there's something about a stolen microfilm (a perennial favourite in the '80s – see it also POLICE ASSASSINS) which quickly turns into a good-guys-versus-bad-guys kick-ass action fest. Really, this film is all about the action and it's top-notch. Free of obvious wire work and packed with stunts, car chases (an ambulance in this instance), motorbike duels, shoot-outs, and, of course, kung fu, IN THE LINE OF DUTY is an action lover's dream that is rarely surpassed. The two heroes of the film are equally good, with Cynthia Khan playing the Michelle Yeoh-type role of indestructible female cop, and Donnie Yen as her hot headed partner, who gets into trouble with his unorthodox methods but who nevertheless proves unbeatable when it comes to tackling the bad guys.And what villains! This film has plenty – from the computer-game style street thugs (headed by muscle man Michael Woods) to the slimy corrupt "friend", this time played by the suave Michael Wong. On top of that there are motorbike assassins, huge muscle guys, a guy who I swore was the deaf baddie from POLICE STORY 2 (except it's not, he was played by Benny Lai and this guy isn't him), street gangs, and a female Caucasian who fights Khan in a lift shaft in one of the best bits. Okay, so the Chinese version of Seattle is hardly convincing, and the routine set gags (this time, a handcuffed guy trying to hide his cuffs from his mother) pass the time without being appealing. But in the face of the action, who cares? There's a guy with a lethal needle sticking out of his boot and a battle in an office with an electric fence. There's a rooftop duel between Yen and Woods, the latter proving to be near-unbeatable himself, and there's a fun motorbike chase through some back alleys. Lethal violence and hard-hitting kicks and punches are what this film is all about, and action fans will not be disappointed. It's a classic, pure and simple, up there as one of my favourite Hong Kong flicks of the late '80s.

Director Woo-ping Yuen who also created other classic martial arts flicks, Iron Monkey 1993, Thi Chi Master 1993 and another classic modern martial arts flick, Tiger Cage 2 1990 and was action choreographer on other classic flicks, The Matrix 1999, The Matrix Reloaded 2003, The Matrix Revolutions 2003, Fearless 2006, Kung Fu Hustle 2004, Kill Bill: Vol 2 2004 and was martial arts adviser on the classic flick, Kill Bill: Vol.1 2003 has created another gem in In the Line of Duty 4.Starring Donnie Yen who has also been in other classic flicks, Ip Man 2008, Ip Man 2 2010, Flash Point 2007, S.P.L. 2005, Hero 2002, Blade II 2002, Once Upon a Time in China II 1992, Dragon Inn 1992, Cheetah on Fire 1992 and Woo-ping Yuen's Iron Monkey and Tiger Cage 2.Also starring Cynthia Khan.Also starring Michael Wong who was also in another classic flick, Beast Cops 1998.I enjoyed the fight and chase scenes.If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic modern day martial arts flicks, American Samurai 1992, Best of the Best 2 1993, Bloodmoon 1997, Bloodsport 1988, Broken Path 2008, Chocolate 2008, The Hunted 1995, Kickboxer 2: The Road Back 1991, The King of the Kickboxers 1990, Martial Outlaw 1993, Mission of Justice 1992, Ninja 2009, Ninja Assassin 2009, No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers 1990, The Perfect Weapon 1991, Ninja: Shadow of a Tear 2013, Death Grip 2012 and Versus 2000.

Yeah, no. This film was awful. The choreography was so forced, and the characters had no depth except for Yat Chor Yuen (which is a shame as this is his last film). Donnie Yen is so blasé that his character is just another "hard cop without any conflict" and Cynthia Khan cannot take over for Michelle Yeoh, no matter how hard she tries.Yeun plays Luk, a just legalized Chinese immigrant in America who witnesses the CIA murdering a cop who are selling drugs for money to support their Latin American conquests(hang on, it gets better). Yen and Khan, two Seattle detectives, follow Luk to Hong Kong where their captain turns out to be a CIA operative who happens to be undercover as an officer for years, built up a relationship with Yen's character, and is in on the whole affair. Right. Not only that, but he kidnaps Luk's own mother to get at him.This film obviously hates the CIA, which there is nothing wrong with nowadays, but the story seems right out of a paranoid schizo's mind. Woo-ping Yuen's choreography is surprisingly clichéd and unremarkable given that he would do "The Matrix" and "Crouching Tiger" later. The blood looks like ketchup and hot sauce which was probably the best part considering this film was made in 1989, not 1954 and in Technicolor.The music sounds like it's from a workout video by Jane Fonda and the cinematography is just static. Lighting is just that, light, and the relationships are forced. In fact, no one seems to have a real relationship except for Luk and his mother (which is actually rather sweet).Overall, the only saving grace is from Yat Chor Yuen (brother of Woo-ping) and the rest is just a mess. Worth a look if you're a die hard Yen or Yuen fan, but other than that, there's nothing to recommend.

This is one great action film. It combines the fighting talents of Cynthia Khan and Donnie Yen with Yuen Woo-Ping's excellent directing skills. The plot is something about a witness to a murder by the CIA who flees to Hong Kong. However, this movie is filled to the brim with fight scenes. Of note is Donnie's fight with Michael Woods, the dirt bike joust, Cynthia's fight in the elevator shaft, and the last big brawl. There are so many good fights, that this movie isn't to be missed.