Having rested after "Rebel" (The Rebel) Johnny Nguyen и Veronica Ngo got together again in an action movie "Clash" (Clash/Bay Rong). Ngo plays the role of some kind of mercenary who needs to kill a bunch of people and take the laptop, and only then Black dragon, her boss, will return her daughter. To help her, she hires some “cool” guys, including a fat guy who makes stupid faces, and Johnny Nguyen (Tom Yum Goong, Mighty Kids) - I wonder which one of them she will fall in love with?
In a nutshell, the plot is done simply and tastefully, and serves as a good basis for numerous fight scenes. For dance lovers there is a tango scene, and for fans of adult films there is a “sweet” sex scene, with “soft” lighting and a terrifying pop soundtrack. The film is full of all sorts of clichés, but they do not cause ridicule, everything fits perfectly into the overall picture; and even if some of the shortcomings may seem excessive to some, the audience's appetite will always be satisfied by excellent fights.
Let's jump right into those fight scenes. What you should expect from Nguyen (and he was also a choreographer), they are quite impressive. Moreover, compared to “Rebel”, their quality has increased, every movement looks less forced and predictable, and much more spontaneous and natural. It is also worth noting that the filming of fights is better than in “Rebel” (as well as the sound effects), and the whole thing is a well-polished old version of how to [nicely] kick people in the face. Nguyen, apparently, also decided to try himself in a new fighting style. Whereas in “Rebel” и “Tom Yum Goong” he demonstrated a series of aerial kicks and somersaults, here he behaves simpler (slightly simpler), using more throws and wrestling techniques (in particular, during the fight with a crowd of French fighters MMA). Naturally, there are the inevitable “expensive” shots, such as the triple kick jump, but the number of such scenes has been reduced in favor of more realistic fights. If they can be called realistic at all. Here's how things stand.
As a screen fighter Ngo showed herself on the good side, however, in this film her resemblance to Gija Yanin. Not only does she look similar, Ngo had the haircut she had Ioannina в "Furious Phoenix" (Raging Phoenix). By God, her character also has a nickname "Phoenix" Besides these (intentional?) similarities, she performs very well in battles, especially considering that she is not an experienced martial artist. Plus, she's sooooo hot.
The only problem with the fights is the same as with all martial arts movies set in modern times - why don't any of the bad characters have guns? IN "Collision" this can be explained to a certain extent by the fact that most armed people run out of ammunition very quickly, often due to aimless shooting wherever they hit. That's why they pick up nearby metal pipes or machetes and rush into real combat. But we see this in all modern action films, so it won’t spoil the pleasure of watching it - at least there are no villains on bikes and roller skates... ahem...Tom hmm...Yum...ahem...Goong... ahem...
Apart from the fights (which is what makes the film worth watching), everything else is boring and unmemorable. If it weren't there Nguyen и Ngo (and, in part, Black Dragon, a fan of bulging his eyes), the audience would have nothing to offer other than fights. This is an action movie with a formulaic plot, with the usual “set-ups” and secret agents. It's entertaining, but there's nothing new about it. Also puzzling is the lack of on-screen humor - everyone is too “cool”, pompous, a kind of “perfect macho”, wearing sunglasses and using “cool” phrases everywhere. Too much effort was put into convincing viewers that these guys were truly “cool.” What else? Look at their glasses, and look, that guy over there smokes all the time - that's cool, isn't it? She is “cool”, she never smiles, because only idiots smile.
Nevertheless, Johnny Nguyen pretty cool.
Despite the shortcomings, "Collision" you'll see everything you'd want to see in a martial arts movie (read: everything I, the reviewer, would want) - great fights. Nguyen I didn’t let my fans down, the fights were still done at the highest level, and let the rest of the shortcomings “sink into oblivion.” Film `s name "Clash", the narrative isn't all that complex, so get ready for the fights and you won't be disappointed.
Author: Gazz Ogden
Source: kungfucinema.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Home » Reviews » Translated reviews »
Tags: The Clash, Veronica Ngo, Johnny Nguyen
Tags: The Clash, Veronica Ngo, Johnny Nguyen
I watched it... In my opinion, it’s an ambiguous film, although I liked it. The fights are staged well and executed well too... There is rhythm, dynamics, realism... But there is no certain expressiveness of the technique, for example in "Flash" (with Donnie Yen) there is also dynamics and realism of the fights, but there is also expressiveness - no blurring, everything is clear and extremely clear. It's my opinion! (by the way, it does not coincide with the author of the review ;))
But overall not bad, although I liked the previous film ("Rebel") better.
I downloaded it from rutracker.org and will watch it today. I'll write about my impressions... :)
DVD-5 with English subs has appeared on asiandvdclub.org
Katty You don’t have to apologize =) I understood your point, in this regard you are right.
But if you plunge into the history of those times, this is me, purely for information, it was the fights with Donnie Yen (he personally choreographed his fights in these films, and Yuen Woo Ping was responsible for others) that were recognized as highly appreciated, and to some extent he gave a new impetus to the movement of mixed "modern styles" after the death of Bruce Lee.
Thank you, EvilDollaR, this is exactly what I had in mind: dull crafts with MMA fighters, whose asshole shrinks in the frame, excuse me, and they forget both the text and techniques, and the Tapout company (supplier of their uniforms, gloves, bags) is happy to continues to sponsor the production of these wonderful action films - Locked down, Beatdown, Circle of pain\fury, Never surrender (not to be confused with Never back down, because in Russian both are called “Never give up”).
Sorry for the inaccuracy, Lindolion, I meant the classic (if you want, standard) style for that time: ringing kicks to the back of the head, jumping strikes and machine-gun bursts with fists in the chest. Sorry again, I’m just not strong in terms :)
Katty, what did you mean when you said “encephalitic convulsions from the Tapout company.” )
She apparently meant the phrase: [censored] [censored] from [censored] Tapout%)
Katty You are confusing something with Donnie Yen, in his Cage of the Tiger I II, and In Performance 4 it was not a classic style, it was mixed styles.
As for the reviews of the film, I calmly breathed, the author presented the picture well, all I have to do is wait for the film. Thank you Evil.
I liked the review, it’s good when it’s humorous and to the point! Thank you, Sasha!
There is hope for good fights!
Like Katty, I also love throws, as well as earthiness and in general elements that are close to reality...
He studied it (and is probably studying it), but he will use it, or rather used it - a good question (he also studied wushu ;))... Judging by the trailer, he simply shows (and shows well) typical techniques inherent in many martial arts with taking into account entertainment. In "Rebel" he showed a typical technique inherent in Vietnamese martial arts - grabbing the opponent's neck with his legs while jumping. Or kicks with both legs in the air into the opponent's chest. It is clear that this is inherent in many martial arts, but in Vietnamese martial arts, these techniques are given greater preference (well, at least taking into account my knowledge of Vietnamese martial arts). :)
If I remember correctly, Johnny will use the Vietnamese Vovinam style, and there are a lot of different throws in it.
Thank you for translating the review. Johnny Nguyen works great with his feet, but his throws... hmm. I hope he will be as lucky as Donnie Yen with the transition from the classical style (Tiger cage, In the line of duty 4) to the wrestling style (SPL, Flash point In general, I’m saddened by the fact that the topic of throws is very poorly covered in combat cinematography. If you don’t take into account Seagal’s sweetheart, then all that remains is encephalitic convulsions from the Tapout company. (((