5 of our must watch Hong Kong films

Hong Kong Cinema for decades was the third largest motion picture industry in the world and second largest exporter. The film style has its distinctive identity and plays a huge role on the world cinema stage. The difference between the Hong Kong film industries is that they had little or no government support through subsidies or import quotas. Instead it is highly corporate concentrating on genres like comedy and action. They rely heavy on formulas, and sequels/remakes. There are a few elements that were borrowed from Hollywood in HK films such as “thrill-a-minute” philosophy, fast pacing, and film editing. Although these elements were borrowed, they are filtered with their own traditional Chinese drama and art, which creates stylization and gets rid of Western style of realism.
With that said, here are some of our top 5 Hong Kong Film recommendations!

1) Infernal Affairs

This movie is a Hong Kong crime thriller that released in 2002. This movie is all you would want in a police/triad thriller movie. The movie offers an emotional complexity due to the focus on the characters. You would typically not find this in action movies. Would recommend checking out this movie. As some might not know, Hollywood actually remade this movie and the movie is called The Departed starring Mark Wahlberg.

Ratings: 

IMDb – 8.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes – 94%

Our Rating : 9/10

Trailer:

2) Initial D

Initial D the movie is a Hong Kong action film and is based off the Japanese anime/manga series. The plot includes Takumi Fujiwara, the main character, who is a high school student that has been delivering tofu in Mt. Akina at an early age. Takumi has no interest in street racing or drifting, but has developed the skills in drifting unknowingly while he does his daily tofu run. One day on his daily run, he overtakes a racer from a known team. The racer was mind blown by getting overtaken by an old car so he goes around asking for this driver who defeated him. If you have an interest in early 1990s Japanese tuner cars, then this movie will be a plus for you. The cars in the movie will definitely be an eye candy to car enthusiasts!

Ratings: IMDb – 6.4/10

Rotten Tomato – 33%

Our Rating: 8/10

Trailer:

3) Young and Dangerous

This 1996 film is a classic Hong Kong crime film about triads going about their life in the Hong Kong Triad Society. Based off the comic book “Teddy Boy” Since the release of this film, it has gain popularity in Hong Kong and the film contributed to the public image of triads and was condemned for glorifying secret triad society. The film has a large cast and the main actor casts are now popular major stars in the Hong Kong film industry, so you may even recognize some of the actors in this classic film. Due to the popularity there has been many sequels for this franchise.

Ratings:

IMBd – 7.1/10

Our Rating : 8.5/10

Trailer:

4) The Killer

This film is a 1989 Hong Kong action thriller directed by John Woo. Arguably one of the best works of John Woo. His films are typically heroic bloodsheds and this is one of those films that shows it. To some this movie was ahead of its time and I would have to agree. 

Ratings: IMBd : 7.8/10

Rotten Tomato: 98%

Our Rating: 9/10

Trailer:

5) Ip man

This film is a martial arts film based on a true story of the life of Ip man. The main character, Ip man, is a grandmaster of the martial arts Wing Chun. He was also the teacher of Bruce Lee. This film takes place during the Sino-Japanese War and showed what Ip man went through. Action packed film starring Donnie Yen who did a phenomenal job as Ip man.

Ratings:

IMBd – 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes – 85%

Our rating – 8.5/10

Trailer: