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This rewarding Hong Kong action movie has a sleek yet realistic style that lifts it above the average crime thriller. When someone attempts to take out a mob boss named Mr. Lung, the boss's brother Frank (played by the great Simon Yam) puts together a team of five bodyguards to protect Lung. At first the team is bored as nothing happens. They bicker among themselves and run errands. After a close call, they pull themselves into a ruthlessly efficient unit. Both the mundanity and the high tension of their lives are vividly evoked. Slowly, the personalities of the individual bodyguards come to light in snapshot scenes. But when the threat to Mr. Lung is resolved, their troubles really begin; one of them is accused of having an affair with Lung's wife, and the others must kill him or be killed themselves.
The Mission seems confusing at first because it doesn't follow the usual rules for a thriller of this kind. The jagged yet riveting scenes, enhanced by low-key yet compelling performances and superb cinematography, come together like fragments of a shattered picture. Without seeming to tell you anything,
The Mission paints a tense portrait of these men's mutual bond. Despite the melodramatic elements of the plot, the movie's attention to realistic detail makes the stakes matter. Well worth viewing.
--Bret Fetzer
Product Description
After a failed assassination attempt on mob boss lung he hires five killers of diverse backgrounds as bodyguards and to seek out the enemy. The danger that comes with the job gradually brings the men closer until an unexpected turn of events put their friendship and loyalty to the test. Studio: Tai Seng Entertainment Release Date: 09/21/2004 Starring: Anthony Wong Simon Yam Run time: 88 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Johnny To
