The
White Storm (2013 aka Sau Do/Lionsgate DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: C Extras: D Film: C+
Three
cops in the Hong Kong Undercover Police Narcotic Division go after
the biggest drug lord of South Asia, but when the operation goes
terribly wrong their fates will be irrevocable changed forever. Five
years after a major operation failure that left Interpol agents, Thai
and Hong Kong police dead, three cops have to live with their guilt
and the consequences of their failure. Even leaving one of their own
behind for the dead, now that brother they left behind is back from
the grave ...but is he friend or foe?
This
film, Benny Chan's White Storm (2013), reminded me of the
Internal Affairs of deep undercover cops. To catch their foes
they must almost become like them. Bonds of trust and loyalty between
brothers in arms will be tested, you can lose your life, lose your
honor ...but you can never leave a brother behind. In the spirit of
John Woo movies, this movie is all about epic last stands and
sacrifices. The money is here, but results offer only so much new.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image looks good here shot on a RED
EPIC HD camera and has a Blu-ray release where it would look better,
but the lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 cannot begin ti compete with lossless
sound and especially here as the film's best theatrical screenings
were accompanied by Dolby Atmos 11.1 sound. Go for the Blu-ray if
you can and want to see this one closer to its intentions. Extras
include trailers.
-
Ricky Chiang
