In the Line of Duty III

Rating:
Summary: The best of Hong Kong's action films.
Review: Nonstop action that makes all Hollywood competition pale in comparison. Intense personal relationships just add to the tension. Cynthia Khan has never been better and Michiko Nishiwaki is bad to the bone. Do not miss.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic sequel, a fine action heroine debut
Review: Seminal film in the modern Hong Kong action film series, notable for the debut of Cynthia Khan, who had the unenviable task to replace the "retired" Michelle Khan(Yeoh), who starred in the previous installments.

In a bloody beginning, a pair of stylish Japanese thieves steal some valuable gems. In a harrowing scene, during their escape, they kill the partner of a ruffled detective (think Columbo with a Chuck Barris hairdo). The detective swears revenge, and the thieves (played by the athletic and lovely Michiko Nishiwaki and her terminally ill partner/lover played by Stuart Ong) plan on going to Hong Kong, selling the loot and then buying weapons for the Red Army. All the while Cynthia, a rookie cop in Hong Kong, is seeking criminal busting action, but is discouraged by her uncle(?) who leads her task force. The Japanese thieves and the detective trailing them, all make their way to Hong Kong, and Cynthia ends up entangled in the same mess with the detective, trying to bring the cold blooded and desperate thieves to justice. People on both sides are killed, leading to crossed paths of personal revenge, everyone out for each others blood.

The action, typical of the genre, is fast, bloody, and brutal, both Cynthia and Michicko are firecrackers and, in addition to being very easy on the eyes, display some great kicks and punches. The fight scenes, particularly the finale, are directed in a rapid paced, almost too fast, blink and you'll miss it fashion. Highly entertaining film. The DVD is very good by Hong Kong action standards, bright picture, sharp, no noticable audio problems. Contains the usual extras like brief star bios and action film trailers.