Along with larger-than-life sound edits and mixing, the action scenes do make an impact in a narrative-focused film.
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With an English film title that suggests a major whistleblowing political thriller, Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau crafts a globe-trotting action crime thriller The Leakers. Breaking up into a multitude of narrative that takes place in various locations including Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia, Yau explores a possible epidemic episode where a lethal virus threatens mankind and social order.
Making large reference to the actual Zika viral outbreak, The Leakers does not intend to go into post-apocalyptic analysis but rather the bleak antagonism of a capitalistic society. Pharmaceutical conglomerate Amanah has a role that could easily be swayed by unscrupulous profit-craving stakeholders.
Weaving in the cream of the crop from law enforcers (in the form of Malaysian police officer Lee played by Julian Cheung and Hong Kong counterpart Wong played by Francis Ng) and the media (award-winning journalist played by Charmaine Sheh), a stray group of individuals decide to forge alliance to empower a voice against social unjust.
Before it easily trots into sanctioned vigilante action sequences where individuals take down massive suit-wearing villains (like The Purge for instance), Yau and his screenwriters instill restraints as these individuals are not taking the law into their hands but rather focused on revealing the truth to the public.
This does not however negate the possibility of experiencing gunfights and car chases in this film, as they come in sufficient dosages to entertain genre seekers. Along with larger-than-life sound edits and mixing, the action scenes do make an impact in a narrative-focused film.
With a great premise and interesting suite of characters, it is however a pity that character development doesn’t go further to some’s preferences. The closest that the characters reveal in the film is the current state of their marriage, which is not much to provide any substantial references for the onscreen characters (drivers and demeanour).
It could be perceived as a revisiting of Hong Kong cinema that is used to be helmed by icons such as Jackie Chan and John Woo and subsequent figures like Tsui Hark and Wong Kar Wai. While The Leakers might not have fully fulfilled its great ambition, the effort by Yau is still a much needed one for those who are still looking forward to the next big thing from Hong Kong cinema.
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