The Masked Prosecutor (1999)



	The Masked Prosecutor		Return to Review Archive - M
	Year:	1999	Louis Koo holds Jordan Chan hostage
	Director:	Herman Yau Lai-To
	Producer:	Nam Yin
	Cast:	Jordan Chan Siu- Chun, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Blackie Ko Sau-Leung, Grace Yip Pui-Man, Jessica Suen Huen, Lai Yiu-Cheung, Ng Chi-Hung, Tony Ho Wah-Chiu, Lam Chi-Sin, Lo Meng
	The Skinny:	Interesting vigilante thriller that makes good use of its two leads.
	Review by Kozo:	Overlooked thriller from Herman Yau features a new pairing: Jordan Chan and Louis Koo. Chan is Wah, an observant young cop who’s investigating a series of kidnappings by a masked vigilante dubbed “Ye Cha,” or Masked Prosecutor in the subtitles. This fellow has a curious habit of targeting only those bastards who have been acquitted in court. Then he captures then, beats them, and dumps them outside the police station. Wah is teamed with wacky partner Guy (Blackie Ko), who was once a famous cop until his two adopted sons met terrible fates. Tong (Louis Koo), was one of them, and it’s no surprise that the handsome, intense young actor is our vigilante. Also showing up is teenybopper popstar Grace Yip, as Guy’s daughter and Wah's requisite love interest. A mildly interesting movie, The Masked Prosector is most notable for the return of Jordan Chan to the big screen and the continuing ascension of Louis Koo. As Tong, Koo brings an intensity to the screen that’s quite riveting, even when he appears in bad movies (which is usually the case). He makes an interesting foil for Chan, as the two square off in that ballyhooed homoerotic cop/criminal battle of wits. This movie isn’t special or important, but it’s well-executed commercial stuff with some creepy atmosphere and a minimum of shtick. Director Yau’s usual understated, inconsequential style is in evidence, but the movie turns out to be reasonably interesting and entertaining. (Kozo 2000)
	Availability:	DVD (Hong Kong) Region 0 NTSC Universe Laser Widescreen Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 Removable English and Chinese Subtitles

		image courtesy of Universe Laser & Video Co., Ltd.
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