Dean Shek Tin, Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Fennie Yuen Kit-Ying, Joyce Godenzi, Paul Chu Kong, Corey Yuen Kwai, Kei Kong-Hung, Chiu Man-Yan, Liu Fan, Shut Mei-Yee, Ailen Sit Chun-Wai

Fun wartime action-comedy that's like a cliffhanger serial filtered through Tsui Hark's unique sensibilities. Despite the setting, this is enjoyable fluff.

This wartime action-comedy from Tsui Hark and Ching Siu-Tung is set in 1930s China during the occupation of Manchuria. Plot: Lt. Mong (Paul Chu) leads a rebel squad to derail some poison gas, but he gets unlikely help from old Dr. Choy (Dean Shek), a retired soldier whose wisdom and energy prove to be an inspiration to the downtrodden Chinese. Also, he tags along because he resents being called old. Along for the ride: a couple of gang bosses (Corey Yuen and Jacky Cheung), some kids (Kei Kong-Hung and Chiu Man-Yan), a feisty double agent (Fennie Yuen) and lots of shtick. The bad guys: Tony Leung Ka-Fai in a fun turn as a villain, and Joyce Godenzi as a sexy Kawashima Yoshiko.

Based on some popular picture books from the period, and the filmmakers make sure you know through their transitions: annoying animated page turning that looks like an Ah Ha video. Harmless and enjoyable, The Raid is a star-packed commercial product that proves to be better than Ching Siu-Tung’s later, similar effort Dr. Wai in “The Scripture with no Words.” The action is entertaining, some of the comedy is actually pretty funny instead of being annoying, and the whole cast is a delight. This is even true for Dean Shek, who overacted so miserably in A Better Tomorrow Part 2 that he threatened to destroy mankind. A Hong Kong product all the way. Fluffy but fun. (Kozo 1997)

DVD (Hong Kong)
Region 0 NTSC
Mei Ah Laser
Widescreen
Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1
Removable English and Chinese Subtitles

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