Danny Lee and Beardy team up as a pair of cops on the trail of a ruthless criminal gang in this excellent and underrated thriller from Hong Kong. RED SHIELD is a film with very little in the way of comedy which makes it all the more thrilling, and I'm surprised it's not better known. I've noticed a good thriller always features strong villains and they're a frightening bunch here, Yuen Wah's almost mute Vietnamese killer being a particular highlight. Lee and Beardy have endless charisma and even the extra material charting their relationship woes works well; the presence of the always-winning Teresa Mo helps somewhat. The film has strong plotting that always drives forward and great set-pieces throughout, the attack on Beardy's apartment and the incident in the refugee camp being particular highlights. Plus you get a rare chance to see the 'real' China of the era.
Review of Red Shield
