Beast Cops (1998)

• Year: 1998
• Released: 09 Apr 1998
• Country: Hong Kong
• Adwords: 11 wins & 7 nominations
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157366/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beast_cops
• Metacritics:
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: Cantonese
• MPA Rating: TV-MA
• Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
• Runtime: 110 min
• Writer: Gordon Chan, Hing-Ka Chan
• Director: Gordon Chan, Dante Lam
• Cast: Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Michael Wong, Stephanie Che
• Keywords:

	6.8/10
	66% – Audience

Beast Cops Storyline

One of the most universally acclaimed motion pictures in the history of Hong Kong cinema. Acclaimed director Gordon Chan (“Fist Of Legend”, “2000 AD”, “The Big Heat”) dispenses with convention to bring one of the most graphic and insightful action-thrillers of recent years. Ruthlessly realistic, and vivid and unremitting in its uncompromising brutality and honesty, Beast Cops is a visceral and hard-hitting exploration of the dichotomous existence of two cops charged with upholding the law, while balancing on a moral knife-edge. Compelling and controversial, with a breakout performance of startling intensity from leading man Anthony Wong, this raw and enticing action-thriller has mesmerized audiences worldwide with its disturbing examination of the subjective and marginal morality, which inhabits the uncertain and ambiguous world of law enforcement. The graphic intensity of the final reels underpins an unforgettable and harrowing spectacle, which has seldom, if ever, been paralleled in Western cinema.—JimKills

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Beast Cops Movie Reviews

Average at best!

Beast Cops has got to be one of the most overrated movies ever made in Hong Kong. There are only a few elements that justify some praise. And that is Anthony Wong and the comedy. But an actioner this is not. Sure there are some violent scenes consisting of some sword fighting and occasional gun firing but just not enough to qualify it as hard hitting action, that you can expect from this type of Hong Kong film. And before you condemn me for being superficial or not open minded enough. This is advertised as a brilliant action film. You got to put the money where your mouth is. Plus when a film doesn’t offer what is promised I will be the first one to embrace whatever goodness that is delivered.

Except there is none. Even for a triad film Beast Cops doesn’t convince. Yes, there are gangsters and the usual betrayal shenanigans. But it hardly shows what the triads do or why they are so feared. Plot wise this seemed such an important factor since these triads were so friendly with the cops. With the lack of story and suspense I at least expected some interesting things to happen. I mean why else would so many praise the hell out of this.. Well, I kept waiting and waiting and it never came.

And what was Michael Wong doing in this? It seemed he was lost and on his way to the set of another crappy film he is featured in. Honestly, I do like the guy but let’s face it he is one of the most boring actors in Hong Kong cinema. He didn’t make much sense here. The only thing I could think of was that the director wanted to show some contrast between him and Anthony Wong’s character. If that was the idea than he failed miserably. Compared to similar Hong Kong films Beast Cops doesn’t add anything new other than humour, which in my book wasn’t enough for me to truly enjoy this.

Ignore the fact that Beast Cops has won many awards and that it is praised. It is not deserving of that at all. Avoid!

New wave Hong Kong action

A gritty and beautifully shot Hong Kong action film, one that announces all is not lost in the post-Woo/Hark/Lam Hong Kong action genre. Anthony Wong gives an astonishing performance as a cop who walks the line between police officer and triad. Michael Wong is for once not completely bland, and even has a couple of wonderful comic moments. And the violence in this film is remarkably startling, which is not something I find too much in Hong Kong cinema. In most films, even in masterpieces like The Killer or City on Fire, the violence is relatively unsurprising. Here, perhaps because it’s mostly committed with crude machetes, the violence is brutal and tough. And the way it’s cut and edited makes it all the more effective. For fans of Hong Kong cinema, it’s not to be missed. And even for people who aren’t usual fans of that genre, this is an interesting film to check out. From me, this is easily a 9/10.

Sophisticated Hong Kong Action/Drama

A cops-n-robbers movie, but not at all typical. An interesting departure from the stylized violence of classic HK movies, such as those directed by John Woo. Despite the chaos of those movies, there was always something “neat” and organized about the action, a choreography. Kind of like a fireworks display. As exuberant and fun as that style is, Beast Cops is an example of a new sort of HK cinema.

And it’s a bit messy. Even the characters are somewhat sloppy; spitting on sidewalks, flinging beer cans in the backseat, etc. No one in this movie looks particularly dashing.

Even the violence is messy. For some reason, guns are seldom used, and most of the damage is caused by beating people with sticks or stabbing them with knives. And the knives aren’t even cool-looking, they look like kitchen cleavers. So there’s a more “hands-on” and labored feeling about the violence as opposed to the more effortless killing accomplished by guns.

But the slapdash feel and somewhat primitive action actually amounts to a very purposeful sophistication and insight about the characters. All the characters are realistically flawed, and the emotions feel genuine. The usual conflicts of loyalty/betrayal and the notion of brotherhood are all addressed, but the outcome is not formulaic or predictable.

Over all, this is a very well-made movie. The acting is first-rate, with Anthony Wong (as Tung) being especially good, as his character spans a confident wise-ass, a dejected lover, a ballsy hero, to a full-on psycho. Instead of a fireworks display, this movie is more like abstract art – a whole different kind of pleasure.