In recent years, the most popular on-screen fighter and action star Donnie Yen brought the role of Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun master and mentor of Bruce Lee. However, Yen expressed a desire to star in action films with a more modern setting, for example, in “SPL” and in this, the “freshest” action film, which cannot be called anything other than a disappointment.
Yen plays the role of Chen Zilong, a Hong Kong police officer who has spent the last eight years serving undercover, deep in the depths of the dark underworld. Xiong (Collin Chow), the leader of the gangsters, made it clear that no traitor should expect mercy if he got into the gang. Concerned for the safety of his beloved mother Amy (Pau Hi-ching), Zilong wants to end his undercover work. However, the return of his former student Sunny (Andy He), who has turned into a feared bandit after the last three years spent in the states, ruins his plans. To confront Sunny and put an end to the brutal gang war, Zilong, against his wishes, will have to go to Nanhai and take policewoman Jing Fan (Jin Tian) as his partner.
There's really nothing special about the premise. At all. Okay, jokes aside, there it is. The film suffered from multiple production problems, including the departure of Vincent Zhao, who was replaced by Andy On. It's hard to say whether this led to the problems, or whether they were present back when "Special ID" was called "Ultimate Codebreak" (both names are ridiculous in their own way).
The film is a bit of a mess, its hackneyed plot serving only to tie together action sequences. Many recent Hong Kong films suffer from the fact that the intended atmosphere of the storyline does not match the finished product. While things aren't as bad as Blind Detective, the film lacks the dark atmosphere of the poster, and some of the fights are bad. There are comedic interludes and pathetic moments that are supposed to cause laughter. We see the latter to the accompaniment of stupid piano melodies. It looks as if the filmmakers had no idea what to insert in the moments when no one is beating anyone, and how to get out of the situation, otherwise there is another stunt episode ahead.
Donnie Yen fans, forgive me: this guy of yours is a screen fighter first and an actor second. Of course, he's tough, no give or take, and I obviously don't want to dwell on his shortcomings. In addition, he skillfully combines elements from various styles, such as Wing Chun and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, resulting in some pretty impressive brawls. And there is a bonus addition - there is no need to mount it so that the double is not noticeable. However, whenever he has to show emotion, especially in dialogues with the heroine Jin Tian, the result is even more awkward than the sight of Michael Cera giving a homecoming speech in his underwear. The difference between such sequences and furious hand-to-hand combat is so huge that it is simply unnerving.
Ostentatious bravado and panache in a shirt that is always half unbuttoned - this is the antagonist Sunny played by Andy On. For no apparent reason, the Rhode Island native suddenly starts throwing around English phrases to show off his American accent. He is quite charismatic and attractive, but the relationship between Sunny and Zilong, the man who taught him everything he knows, is not fully developed and deep enough.
Jin Tian, with his doe eyes and heart-shaped face, is trying to find a balance between the image of a seasoned cop who can fend for himself in a fight with creepy criminal types or hang without problems on the door of a speeding SUV, and the image of a vulnerable woman who is psychologically ill-prepared for work. It seems that the only defining trait of her character is her love for “Hello Kitty” (a hint of hidden advertising for Sanrio products). For the most part, the dynamics of the relationship between Jing Fan and Zilong are very reminiscent of a showdown between two third graders: “Teacher, he’s bullying me!” “She started it first!” This is starting to get annoying.
The only way to save Special ID is to take all the action sequences out of context and simply stitch them together as a compilation of the best moments of stunt choreography. Clarence Fok, director of the trashy cult classic Naked Killer, is not known for subtlety, and here he is true to himself - in "Special ID" the characters do not speak, but shout in almost every second phrase of dialogue. And when the director tries to present sensuality on the screen, we become witnesses to a complete failure, and the reason for this is the absolute contrast with the fight scenes that were carefully and carefully filmed and laid out for everyone to see.
Conclusion: If we imagine that the film "Special ID" was conceived as a kind of personification of the image of a real undercover cop, then such a cop would be instantly exposed. Disappointing despite a number of cool fist fights.
Evaluation: 2 of 5
Author: Jedd Jong
Source: fmoviemag.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Home » Reviews » Translated reviews »
Tags: Special ID, Donnie Yen, Ken Lo, Colin Chow, Jin Tian, Andy He
Tags: Special ID, Donnie Yen, Ken Lo, Colin Chow, Jin Tian, Andy He
It looks like the author of the review is just crazy. If it's a bad movie, what's a good one?
I even liked the film itself (in terms of the fights). Worth a look. But Donny did not surpass his own records. Here…
Second episode from Vlad:
youtu.be/UosO9dn2gYk
Alternate ending, not included in theatrical release
youtu.be/RFHMQkV4-1M
Guys, share the link to the special id. I'm looking around, I can't find it. Can you email me the link too? foasster@gmail.com
Look here in the comments https://fight-films.info/trejler-boevika-special-id-special-identity/
Information appeared on many sites that Donnie would star in the action movie Priority Run, but Arclight representatives soon denied this, saying that Ian’s participation has not yet been confirmed.
Hi all! I registered to congratulate you on your anniversary. Long life to the owner and the site! Good news and films to everyone!!!
Let's pour it)) Let's give him a drink, and immediately start filming the film)
Success, development and prosperity to the site!
Thank you, Slav. Dojo "Antitroll" is five!
Happy Birthday, site!! Alexander, give it five!!! By the age of five, I would like to organize connections, group movie viewings in our own cinema with a tatami, where after watching a film you can not only express, but also show your knowledge/skills (the dojo should be called “Antitroll”) :)))
And be sure to invite Eric from StuntPeople to visit - let him come with the premiere, we’ll meet you with dignity - we’ll pour some water, take a steam bath, roll in the snow)... that’s all...))
Keep it up!! Hurray!!!
Oh, this is a very significant event!!!
What can I wish for...?
Yes, probably... good luck in finding interesting material and patience, looking at all of us, Alexander!
to all of US - positive communication, professional enlightenment and to hear each other without pushing our horns. And if stubbornly, then backing up your arguments with serious facts.
To all those who work for us - creative work and long life!
Personally, I always look forward to new works (whatever they may be) from Jackie, Donnie, Sammo, Tony.... and even Scott... whom I don't really like, so to speak, but I respect. God bless them with all the best...!
And I am very impressed by the fact that every time I go online, I always click on the bookmark that is Familiar to me - Martial Arts Info.
Thank you all for being here! It doesn't matter whether they are good or bad. YOU exist and that's the main thing! And of course once again to you - Alexander!!!
Thank you!
EvilDollaR, who's four? Congratulations!
Ilya, what can I do, but I’ll ask: can I? garage2004@mail.ru
The site is 4 years old. :)
Blown it out :-D
Happy Birthday!!!
Thank you!
The Chinese received the film with delight :-)
Threw it off.
Offtopic: Ilya, blow first, today we have 4 ;) ---> ÍÍÍÍ
Well, send me an email den50393@mail.ru
If the site administrator allows(?), I can immediately post the video (or a link to the channel). You won’t be able to find it through a search—you need to know what to type into the search bar.
I can't find anything there other than the trailer.
On YouTube.
Where have you already watched it? Already on foreign torrents?
I looked. The fights are really average. The final fight is complete garbage. It falls very short of the Flashpoint finale.
Yeah, it's a great cartoon!
Short film by Vlad Rimburg (in the spirit of Special ID)
youtu.be/hA0irdJcOp0
Wow, what a cartoon Donnie and Bruce!!! Interesting!
This is how a movie would be shot based on camera work and editing. There would be no artistic value for films!
Thank you. I just rarely look at email :( Yes, teaser in November. Trailer in January. Release in March.
65 minutes of action alone in the film :) Gareth counted it himself :-D
It's clear. Anything is possible.
San, did you receive a link to the big interview on Raid 2? About a week ago I sent it through feedback.
Yes, I answered back then. By the way, the teaser is scheduled for November 7th.
My conclusion: the girl, having watched the teasers with trailers, gave her preliminary assessment of the film and described what, in her opinion, could be in the film.
?
I re-read it again. IMHO, a preliminary assessment is given here, as happens on some sites. The love story with Yaninochka is confusing.
There seemed to be some kind of pre-shows (the first comment to the review confirms this). And what is emerging there? I tried to read it in Russian, but you understand it yourself. I just looked at the conclusion with the assessment in Russian/English, it suited me :)
Hmm, and in English. In some places it’s clearer. How did she manage to watch the film before the 13th?
Bing translates even worse. Here's what he produced in this case:
this movie will make people say Thai movies are not a good service.
9/10.
Here's the link if interested
http://pantip.com/topic/31105881
I don’t think there will be another review from Kvay any time soon.
Thank you. Of course it's interesting.
PS Google rocks, as always:
Ha, I haven’t heard news from him for ages. And without him there are enough sources.
Here is the link.
http://pantip.com/topic/31105881
Kwai has also given up on action films lately, which is a pity.
Of course not :)
Where is Tap when you need him? ;)
1) Not bad, but acceleration spoils everything. What is this... The Chinese most likely did it. At least motion blur was added to the output for realism.
2) In English retsuha?
It is quite expected.
Dream Fight Donnie vs Bruce
youtube.com/watch?v=0lzgXlDggpo
BTS
youtube.com/watch?v=QGWEvg94hVE
Offtop:
I dug up a review here (not from a critic) for TYAG2 - 9/10.
Another review has appeared. The man is also disappointed. He says the fights are average. Overall, 3 big fights (with Ken, against the crowd (the best) and a 6 minute fight with Andy) and a few very short ones. Collin Chow was completely lost. Flashpoint won.
I don’t really trust the author, because... I feel a dislike for modern Donny action films, which for me were almost standard.
The attack on Donny's game is also doubtful, because... Donnie grew a lot in the game in the 00s and played great in Ip Man.
The attack on the plot is simply ridiculous: in Chinese action films there are the simplest plots with typical Hollywood cliches, but they come at the expense of... the action and therefore the viewer usually doesn’t care about the plot.
From the review it is clear that in the film there is a clear contrast between the acting and the stunt work. The second in this case, naturally, is higher than the first. But I think we all will have enough of the coolest fights))
After this phrase in the review:
"Although things here are not as bad as in the same "Blind Detective""
I didn't even read further.
To call a film by Johnnie To, who in my opinion does not have a single bad film at all, bad, is simply ridiculous and absurd.
Based on this, we get that "Special ID" is an excellent action movie!!! :)
Does the author recommend watching only fights on rewind? That's how it should be!
Was anyone going to watch this movie in its entirety? Chinese cinema is completely a waste of time. I always watch them on rewind, stopping only at the fights. And the same “SPL” and my beloved “Hot Spot” for its use of MMA are still on rewind, because the main components of the film - script, acting, atmosphere, scenery, plot - are at such a poor level that it is absolutely impossible to withstand it.
Does anyone expect masterful acting and a brilliant plot from a film like this? In my opinion, 99% of films of this genre have these problems, and we enjoy watching them.
And BURNED BY THE SUN 2, by the way, is not exactly a bad movie. There are 2 big problems:
1. Everywhere I, I, I, beloved Nikita Sergeich, who essentially played himself.
2. Well, in general there is practically no strong action.
If the second point were what was needed, then I am sure that there would not be so many complaints about the first.
Well, in general, the essence of the claims is clear, or rather the message of this review, but nothing has been revealed in detail. Well, ok, we'll keep that in mind. There are many opinions, even “Burnt by the Sun 2” on Kinopoisk has positive reviews))).
I think that the others will not lose either.
I still don’t understand the indignation of the author of this review? Did they perform their roles poorly or what? A hackneyed plot? Yes, a normal plot for an action movie, what else do you need?
Andy Didn't you like him with his shirt unbuttoned? Funny. The author clearly has a complex. Andy looks great, so why not. People are constantly indignant about why in Bollywood Salman Khan never misses an opportunity to show off his shirt or show off. And why not, if the dude spends a good part of his time in the gym.
What a strange review.
After reading it, I still did not lose interest in this picture.
But ...
TADA!