Wonder Seven (1994) / Action-Thriller
aja 7 jin gongMPAA Rated: Not rated, but probably R for violence
Running Time: 90 min.Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Li Ning, Kent Cheng, Roger Kwok, Andy Hui
Director: Stanley Tong
Screenplay: Stanley Tong, Cheung Tan, Elsa Tang
Review published March 14, 1997
Wonder Seven assembles a varied cast as a group of seven well-trained Chinese government secret op agents who are assigned to recover a stolen computer disk. Things get a bit dicey for the crew when the people behind the robbery also happen to be government insiders. Meanwhile, one of the seven and one of the opposition start a romance, causing a conflict of interest among all parties.
Director Stanley Tong is a hard man to figure out based on his track record thus far. For every good film (Swordman II, A Chinese Ghost Story, Royal Tramp) he seems to follow up with a bad one (Heroic Trio, Royal Tramp II, Executioners). Happily, Wonder Seven is one of the good ones, with breathtaking stunts and a good dose of humor.
The plot is a bit convoluted, and some of the directing lifts from John Woo's bag, but the film is undeniably entertaining in its own over-the-top style. Fans of Hong Kong action (and of Yeoh (Wing Chun) in particular) should check this one out.
Qwipster's rating:
©1997 Vince Leo
