"Hong Kong '97"- 

"We have absolutely nothing to fear."

This was one of the few RP movies I saw where the lead female 
was actually somebody I recognized: Ming-Na Wen. You'll 
probably recognize her from ER (I don't know who she plays, I 
don't watch the show, I just know she's in it). I know her 
from the short-lived "The Single Guy". 

She plays Katie. It is never directly stated what her 
relationship to RP's character (Reggie) was. The only indicator 
is her grandfather's comment "My ex-future-grandson-in-law!" 
Their relationship is obviously on rocky ground though, as 
indicated by the scene wherein he surprises her and she knocks 
him to the ground and kicks him several times. When she gets a 
good look at his face (we assume she didn't know who she was 
attacking before) she says "I knew it was you," and then kicks 
him again. I love this scene!

Anyway, I should probably talk about the plot. I'm embarrassed 
to admit that, despite the relatively simple storyline, most of 
it confused me. I do know that it takes place in Hong Kong in 
the year 1997 (duh...), on the day when Hong Kong made the 
transition from colony back to mainland rule. 

Reggie is a hired assassin. By the time the opening credits are 
finished, Reggie has already killed a Chinese ambassador as per 
his instructions. The problem is: it turns out his employer 
never gave him those instructions. Now, he has a bounty on his 
head.

Okay, enough of that. This is not what you really want to hear 
is it? You want to hear about the slow-motion love scene and 
whether or not you can see *everything* (right Lisa?). Well, 
I'm not sure, but if you have a really good "freeze-frame" 
function on your VCR I think the answer is yes. You definitely 
get a good look at his backside. It's pretty funny to see a man 
engaged in a shoot out with men who are trying to kill him when 
he is completely naked. 

Reggie certainly doesn't waste his time mourning for lost 
friends, lovers, etc. His total lack of expression when those 
close to him die right in front of him almost reminds you of 
Terminator 2. But he has a reason: "I can't afford compassion. 
I'd be dead if I did." 

He's a real smart a** in this one. Look for the scene where 
Katie's grandfather asks him how "business" is going 
("Knockin' 'em dead!"). That sound you hear is me grumbling. 

I think the best part is the scene where Katie meets Reggie's 
new girlfriend Li. The look she gives Li just *screams* 
"challenge". You can almost imagine her saying "And just who do 
you think *you* are?" You almost expect her to kick Li's a**. 

Anyway, see it, don't see it, I don't care. I probably wouldn't 
know a bad movie if it came up and bit me in the butt, so 
chances are pretty good I'll like anything. 

~Diandra Hollman