Chinatown Video releases for October 2000
Weasel Alert: I occasionally do a bit
of work for Chinatown Video.
HOT WAR (1998) Rated M.
80
mins. Rental.
Hot War is the Hong Kong movie industry's proof that it can make
a Virtual Reality movie equally as stupid as anything Hollywood has done.
This is a thriller which bases its plot on technology, which is a worry,
because absolutely every use of computers in this film is utter frogshit -
so bad in fact, it becomes enjoyably preposterous. However, buried in this
mess are some good characters, and when they finally fight clear of the
technobabble that threatens to choke the film to death, things pick up
considerably. The action scenes are also mighty fine, particularly as the
film's premise gives them license to play out like Virtua Cop crossed
with Mortal Kombat. Award-winning cinematographer Jingle Ma directs,
and the special effects are by Centro (Storm Riders). The film stars Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Kelly Chan, and a
bunch of really bad B-grade American actors, and I reckon it's a winner.
