The Law Enforcer
1986
Director: Danny Lee
Stars: Danny Lee, Mak Chui Han, Parkman Wong, Shing Fui-On, Ken Lo, Wu Siu-Hung
In a cinema often known for its' over-the-top depiction of violence, when a film restrains itself in the depiction of heinous acts, it stands out. The Law Enforcer fits into that mold. While the plot (which has Mak Chui Han as a vigilante cop taking out justice on thugs and Danny Lee's squad dealing with both the crimes and the "taint" it gives police officers) is workaday, Lee's approach takes an almost documentary-like approach to the proceedings, and makes the film transcend the usual "cop with a conscience" junk.
This is not to say that there isn't any action in here -- the final confrontation in a parking garage is tense, well-shot and exciting -- but the fact that the movie emphasizes characteristics rather than pyrotechnics (when it would be much easier to pump up the latter) and does it without boring the viewer -- in fact, engaging and pulling them in -- deserves to be noted.
RATING: 7
This DVD is available for purchase at www.hkflix.com
