Cop on a Mission (2001)

Let's be realistic.

Good concept, poorly executed.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

The plot of Cop on a Mission is hardly a new one. Cop goes undercover and gets seduced by the criminal lifestyle. It has been done a million times before but this still has something to offer.Daniel Wu plays Mike, a cop who is becoming increasingly frustrated with his tiresome job with little benefits, whilst the criminals live a life of luxury. He is offered a undercover job to infiltrate a Triad gang led by Boss Tin (Eric Tsang). Mike slowly becomes engrossed in this world and in Tin's wife (Suki Kwan). The acting by these three actors is top notch, particularly the charismatic Eric Tsang who steals every scene he appears in. It is this acting that lifts the film from mediocrity. One of the major flaws in this film is the music. It features some syrupy ballads over the romantic moments which would seem more at home on Emmanuelle.Cop on a Mission can't really compete with other similar Asian films like Infernal Affairs (also starring Tsang), but it is enjoyable and at times is reminiscent of such classic gangster films as The Untouchables and Goodfellas (although never really matching them). It also throws up some neat twists at the end, making this a worthwhile watch.

COP ON A MISSION (Zhi Fa Fan Fa)Aspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: MonoAn undercover cop (Daniel Wu) rises through the ranks of a powerful Triad gang and is corrupted by delusions of grandeur.Taking the director's chair for only the third time in his career, former editor Marco Mak (ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, THE STORM RIDERS, etc.) overcomes the drawbacks of limited funding to make a powerful statement about the corruptive nature of Absolute Power and the consequences of poverty on a divided heart. Though the budget allows for only a handful of major set-pieces (choreographed by action director Ma Yuk-sing), the plot is buoyed by skillful editing and a busy narrative, and is further energized by three standout performances: Wu is superb as the undercover cop whose worldview is transformed by the gangster lifestyle (leading to a number of surprising plot twists), while veteran entertainer Eric Tsang makes a virtue of restraint as the murderous Triad leader - rendered impotent following a bloody gang battle - who takes Wu under his wing. Suki Kwan plays Tsang's beautiful wife, torn between loyalty to her beloved husband and the earthier charms of Wu's carnal embrace.There's a deliberate emphasis on Wu's physical beauty during the film's early stages, though the loving attention paid to his naked torso (alongside a couple of nude shower scenes) serves a dual purpose: To promote Wu as a rising star in the HK movie firmament, and to reinforce the audience's rapport with a sympathetic character, which makes his slow descent into immorality and murder all the more disturbing. Mak references other films with relish (SUNSET BLVD. and THE UNTOUCHABLES are two of the most obvious), and he manages to combine a character-driven storyline with stylish visuals (excellent work by cinematographer Tony Miu), despite the limitations imposed by a lack of financial resources. Also starring David Lee (DEVIL FACE, ANGEL HEART) as a fellow cop and one of Wu's closest friends, Karel Wong (THE JAIL OF NO RETURN) as a psychopathic gang leader whose violent behavior prompts Wu's slide into debasement, and Lam Suet as a wannabe Triad member who bears the brunt of Wu's dishonorable conduct. Tense, dramatic, and emotionally satisfying, COP ON A MISSION is a fine addition to the HK crime genre.(Cantonese dialogue)

A surprisingly good 2001 Hong Kong film. There are several themes in this movie: good vs. evil, letting evil influence and take over one's mind, greed, power, poor vs. rich, conflicts with job duties, choosing money over friendship, etc. Daniel plays the character named Mike who is a good cop, turned undercover, turned bad guy/triad member. He is undercover as a triad and has been told by his boss that many undercovers have compltetly forgotten they are cops and taken the wrong path, he begins to wonder why he is a cop and lusts for the power that Brother Tin played by Eric Tsang has.Daniel Wu once again surprises with his hard to come by talent, his acting was once again superior to the others.The film has many messages and really makes you think, to me i did not expect the ending that happened as i did not expect with all the background that mike (wu's character) had that he would turn out to be what you see him to be. Cop on a mission is a good film and has twists that will keep you interested and it is worth every minute that daniel wu is in. Eric Tsang plays his part well but is more suited to comedy/action films in my opinion. However, this film is highly reccommended.

This is different then the usual undercover cop movie.The main character starts off as a normal HK cop working the beat until he decides to follow a suspicious character into a cafe, the guy who they are following freaks and a gun fight ensues resulting in a lot of bloodshed. The guy who they were following was a nobody in the eyes of the triads and gets away due to the fact that the main character is in shock to see what he has just done. He hates his salary as a patrol man and can't even afford to take his girlfriend out to dinner,he becomes involved with a triad boss and is given the choice to go undercover. Now this is where it is different instead of the viewer being forced to view the cliched bring the bad guys down and take them to justice, the viewer gets to see a man fly high and not want to come down. During the film we often bump in to the crook he chased into the cafe at the beginning of the movie he screws him over every time which effects him seriously at the end of the film( I won't spoil). There are many fresh situations that are new and creative for example when the main character first gets involved with the triads he is sent on a mission to rescue his in debt gambling addicted wife from crooks in Macau who will only let her go if he has sex with her and gives them a good show.The acting is excellent,good plot (especially the sub story between he head triad and his wife).I give the film ****/**** for originality that never ceased to amaze me, a great HK film.