Search - Beast Cops on DVD

Unpredictable and original

Justin Mclaughlin | Los Angeles, CA | 08/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like a lot of Hong Kong films, Beast Cops has chaotic shifts in tone, occasionally bizarre humor, and manically over the top violence. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It sure works in Beast Cops, which would probably suffer from being too predictable. What starts off as a fairly serious drama about a gambling addicted and somewhat corrupt cop turns into a domestic comedy/revenge actioner/mob thriller. In one scene you'll have a character suddenly killed with a machete, in the next you'll have seriously hysterical comic moments from Anthony Wong as the corrupt cop.I've never seen a film work two extremes so successfully and naturally, without seeming convoluted in any way. It's an action film, to be sure, but one that incorporates the rhythms and feel of real life, complete with the comic bits and kidding banter. It probably plays a little bit better as a comedy, despite the brutal violence of the last showdown (a showdown that still has room for a couple of hilarious throwaway moments from Anthony Wong). Michael Wong, usually about as charismatic as cardboard, here is utilized beautifully in a more comic role, and more directors should take heed of his fairly impressive work here in a role that totally goes against type. Roy Cheung has the most serious role here, and essentially shows up and does his usual great work without breaking a sweat. But the movie belongs to Anthony Wong, who won a Best Actor award in Hong Kong for this film. He shows remarkable range here, and he really just might be the best actor in HK today. You see his work here, then watch Full Contact, Hard Boiled, and Big Bullet, and you wonder how it can be the same guy. Along with The Mission, this is one of the best 'New Wave' Hong Kong pictures."

Not your typical cop film!

Jason Perry | Emlenton, PA USA | 07/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This film is not your usual good guys vs. bad guys. Because there is sometimes no difference. Anthony Wong is an outstanding actor. His portrayal of the crooked cop is superb. You feel sorry for him, and hate him at once. Kind of like Chow Yun Fat's role in the Corruptor. It was fascinating to see the characters evolve as thier circumstances changed. I would reccomend this film. Don't expect it to cheer you up however."

A brilliant new-wave cop movie

Maxim Voronov (mvor@conncoll.edu) | Connecticut College, USA | 05/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of Anothny Wong's finest performances. This is an extremely morally complex film. The characters are wonderfully developed. Excellent cinematography! One of the finest cop movies out of Hong Kong (or anywhere) in recent history!"