One of my all time favourite Hong Kong movies, I firmly believe Righting Wrongs (aka Above The Law) is Yuen Biao's finest hour in a modern day action film! Slickly directed by the fantastic Corey Yuen Kwai, the film is a fast paced 80's thriller that sees prosecutor Biao moonlight as a vigilante to deliver some real justice to the bad guys.
And he certainly delivers!
As with most Golden Harvest productions from this era, the team up of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao usually saw the latter always trying his hardest to shine brighter than his big brothers. With this film however, its all about him - well, until a certain Ms. Rothrock gets in on the action.
Although the film carries plenty of comedy moments, it never detracts from the serious matter at the heart of things and keeps 99% of the action pretty grounded and hard hitting (thankfully avoiding Corey Yuen's usual over-use of wire work). Although Yuen Biao's introductory action scene is a well executed car chase, complete with stunts and a Dirty Harry pose - its Cynthia who gets the better deal allowing to show off her true physicality in a gambling den.
But not to worry of course, as it doesn't take long for the action to come back, giving Biao the showcase he needs to deliver some incredible moves and kicks as the action ramps up in a cat and mouse chase with Cyndy, as well as taking on any number of bad guys!
There is much more to love in Above The Law aside from the fighting of course. One of those things for me is the hilarious relationship between father and son, Wu Ma and the director (Corey Yuen). While Wu is constantly shouting at his son for being a waste of space, you can't help but get a lump in the throat at times when things get rough between them...
A young Fan Siu Wong gets an early role as a cute, skinny teen who unfortunately meets his end courtesy of the nasty Karen Shepard. This results in one of the highlights of the film as Cyndy gives chase and we get one of her best ever fight scenes! In fact, if I'm to be honest, there is many a highlight in this amazing action thriller.
A firm favourite of many Hong Kong movie fans, Above The Law may look a little dated, but it still delivers 100% on hard hitting fight action, stunt work and entertainment with a great villain in the fantastic Melvin Wong - complete with an intense end fight..!
Overall: One of Yuen Biao's and Hong Kong cinema's best, with incredible fight action that never fails to impress!!
And he certainly delivers!
As with most Golden Harvest productions from this era, the team up of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao usually saw the latter always trying his hardest to shine brighter than his big brothers. With this film however, its all about him - well, until a certain Ms. Rothrock gets in on the action.
Although the film carries plenty of comedy moments, it never detracts from the serious matter at the heart of things and keeps 99% of the action pretty grounded and hard hitting (thankfully avoiding Corey Yuen's usual over-use of wire work). Although Yuen Biao's introductory action scene is a well executed car chase, complete with stunts and a Dirty Harry pose - its Cynthia who gets the better deal allowing to show off her true physicality in a gambling den.
But not to worry of course, as it doesn't take long for the action to come back, giving Biao the showcase he needs to deliver some incredible moves and kicks as the action ramps up in a cat and mouse chase with Cyndy, as well as taking on any number of bad guys!
There is much more to love in Above The Law aside from the fighting of course. One of those things for me is the hilarious relationship between father and son, Wu Ma and the director (Corey Yuen). While Wu is constantly shouting at his son for being a waste of space, you can't help but get a lump in the throat at times when things get rough between them...
A young Fan Siu Wong gets an early role as a cute, skinny teen who unfortunately meets his end courtesy of the nasty Karen Shepard. This results in one of the highlights of the film as Cyndy gives chase and we get one of her best ever fight scenes! In fact, if I'm to be honest, there is many a highlight in this amazing action thriller.
A firm favourite of many Hong Kong movie fans, Above The Law may look a little dated, but it still delivers 100% on hard hitting fight action, stunt work and entertainment with a great villain in the fantastic Melvin Wong - complete with an intense end fight..!
Overall: One of Yuen Biao's and Hong Kong cinema's best, with incredible fight action that never fails to impress!!