This quasi-cyberpunk neo-future actioner is about a cybernetically enhanced assassin group called 701. Jet Li is Tsui, former captain of the squad, who escaped to discover human feeling. On the outside he befriends ditsy librarian Tracey (Karen Mok) and Inspector Shek (Lau Ching-Wan), both of whom marvel at his emotional detachment. Then the crooked and still-operational 701 shows up with a giant info-stealing scheme and Tsui dons a black mask to oppose them. 

Yuen Woo-Ping’s action is fine, and the film is shot cooler-than-cool, with tons of blues and lots of style to spare. Tsui Hark produced this excellent HK flick that suffers only because it has Jet Li syndrome: a complete lack of personality or emotion. That’s what turns all of Jet’s films into the same sort of experience; Black Mask is no exception. That said, this film still has plenty more to recommend it, including the cool cinematography and good turns by Karen Mok, Lau Ching-Wan, and Francoise Yip as Jet’s pupil turned enemy. A true Hong Kong experience all the way, and the best Jet Li flick since My Father is a Hero. (Kozo 1996)

16th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Nomination - Best Art Direction (Ma Ngan-Chiu, Lui Cho-Hung)
• Nomination - Best Costume Design (Fung Kwan-Man, Kwan Mei-Bo)
• Nomination - Best Action Design (Yuen Woo-Ping)

image courtesy of Mei Ah Laser Disc Co., Ltd.