Customer Reviews

Mad Detective (2007) [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Despite its rather gruesome opening, this highly unconventional Hong Kong police movie manages to be both engrossing and compelling right to the very end. There are times when the pace flags just a little but by and large it achieves a fine balance between police drama and psychological thriller. It is well acted and stylishly shot throughout and has so many unexpected elements as to buck all expectations of just where it is heading, or how it might get there. With twists aplenty along the way, it pays to keep your wits about you whilst watching; its apocalyptic conclusion provides a nicely ambiguous ending.

With a generous dose of interesting extras on the DVD, this is very worthwhile release from Masters of Cinema. Highly recommended.

This movie is brilliant, possibly even genius. Let's just get that out of the way. I've seen many people refer to it as a Johnnie To film, which is only half-right. Here, the great To re-teams with his 'Running on Karma' co-director Wai Ka Fai. It also pairs To up with legendary actor Lau Ching Wa (who, personally, I loved in Black Mask). With a team like this there are some big expectations-and they more than deliver.

Without saying too much, let's just say that Lau (playing Det. Bun) is a 'Mad Detective' who has an uncanny ability to read people and deduce crimes (think Sherlock Holmes meets Rainman). He's been called back by the police to help solve the case of a missing police detective. While the concept behind the character is fairly unique, it's been done before in different ways-but rarely as good as this.

What makes this film great is that it starts where most other films end. It gives you the big Shyamalan twist up front and then spends the next hour and a half trying to figure out what to do with it. This movie may set a new bar for richness of character.

Bun and the relationship he has with his wife provides some genuinely heart-wrenching moments. Lau really gets inside the character and you feel it, from beginning to end, emotional/psychological roller coaster and all. But we'd expect nothing less of To and Fai; they usually tend to populate their world with rich characters. Every actor turns in a stellar performance. Plus, we're treated to appearances by a fair number of To and Fai regulars.

'Mad Detective' really is a fresh take on the Crime/Murder/Mystery genre. But while fresh is good, it's not everything. This film succeeds in being smart and entertaining at the same time. Seeing such a great concept put together by such a talented team on both sides of the camera is a gift. Repeat viewings will reveal more and more subtle and intricate layers to an already brilliant film. There's really not much more to say, just watch it, already!

Johnnie To's MAD DETECTIVE is engrossing, entertaining and thought provoking with Milkyway style. Lau Chin Wan does an excellant job of portraying a psychotic detective who uses emotion not intellect to solve cases by being able to perceive people's inner selves. The direction and editing allows the viewer to perceive what the Mad Detective does while at the same time revealing reality without being confusing. This is one of the best collaboration between the director and the writer, a surreal masterpeice that draws one into another world where people are not what they seem. There are actually 2 different Blu Rays on the market. Be sure and buy the rarer Masters of Cinema version (if you can find it) which was remastered with the diretor's input if you want to see the film as intended, with colorful hues to set the mood, an uncropped picture to add depth and more special features. If you want to see the film without the colorful hues, causing it to look more realistic buy the more common version. It's the same film so either way you can go wrong if you like Asain or crime cinema.

I had minimal expectations when sitting down to watch "Mad Detective," an intriguing film from Hong Kong by the esteemed Johnnie To (co-directed with Wai Ka Fai). If anything, it seemed likely that the film would be an insanely over-the-top crime melodrama--that's just the mental impression imposed by such a title. But what unraveled was a perplexing and thoroughly unique film. Having captured several screenplay awards in Asia, it's easy to see why the multi-layered narrative is such a critical draw. "Mad Detective" is intricately structured and elaborately staged in a visual style quite unlike other pictures I have seen. The titular "Mad" represents the primary character who has a tenuous relationship with reality--and seen through his eyes, the film is a compelling cerebral challenge.

"Mad Detective" introduces us to Inspector Bun (the stellar Lau Ching Wan) who has an almost supernatural ability to solve crimes. He can put himself into the mind of the culprits or into the circumstances of a crime through visions, dreams, and impressions. But his grasp of the here and now isn't always so strong as he is having interactions that no one else can detect. As the story fast forwards five years, the controversial Bun has been removed from the force but a young inspector who idolizes the madman genius asks for assistance in the case of a missing police officer. Jumping at the chance, Bun launches himself into the case with vigor and becomes a mentor for the younger man. But is Bun really a genius? As his actions become more erratic, his useful contributions start to become more and more suspect.

The mystery element to "Mad Detective," in truth, if fairly perfunctory. What makes the film so special is the way in which it invites us to view the world through Bun's eyes. Bun claims to see the personalities within any given individual, so at one point as he's trailing a suspect--the audience is actually following seven actors who represent those personalities. I'm not going to give much more away, other than to say that it is essential to pay close attention so you don't lose track of reality as well! There are numerous other terrific devices used to get into Bun's thoughts in a visual way. It's a finely tuned juggling act that "Mad Detective" works as well as it does. A fantastic lead performance and genuine chemistry between the two cops enhance the trickery and provide emotional context. "Mad Detective" is a truly unique Asian crime story--one that will linger long after the last frame. KGHarris, 10/10.