Why “Chasing the Dragon” Is a Masterclass in Hong Kong Cinema: A Must-Watch for Global Film Buffs
Introduction: A Cinematic Phoenix Rising from Nostalgia
In an era dominated by superhero franchises and CGI spectacles, Chasing the Dragon (2017) emerges as a gritty love letter to Hong Kong’s golden age of crime epics. Directed by Wong Jing – often criticized for his commercial comedies – this film defies expectations with its meticulous craftsmanship and layered storytelling . Starring Andy Lau (Liu Dehua) as the iconic corrupt detective Lui Lok and Donnie Yen as the ruthless drug lord Crippled Ho, this biographical crime saga redefines the boundaries of brotherhood narratives in gangster cinema.
I. The Art of Reinventing Legends
- A Fresh Perspective on Historical Icons
While previous adaptations like To Be Number One (1991) and Lee Rock (1991) focused on singular antiheroes, Chasing the Dragon innovatively intertwines the trajectories of two real-life figures:
- Lui Lok (Andy Lau): The suave “Five-Billion-Dollar Detective” who systematized police corruption
- Crippled Ho (Donnie Yen): The immigrant-turned-drug-kingpin who controlled 70% of Hong Kong’s heroin trade
Their unlikely alliance – a dance between law and chaos – becomes the film’s pulsating heart. The script cleverly avoids hagiography, showing Ho’s brutal ear-cutting retribution against informants alongside Lui’s calculated chess moves in police headquarters .
- Wong Jing’s Redemption Arc
Known for slapstick comedies like God of Gamblers, director Wong Jing surprises critics with unprecedented attention to detail:
- Visual Poetry: Cinematographer Kwan Chi-yiu bathes 1960s Hong Kong in golden-hued nostalgia, particularly in the labyrinthine Walled City sequences where sunlight barely penetrates the lawless slum .
- Sonic Storytelling: Composer Chan Kwong-wing blends traditional Chinese instruments with 1970s funk, creating aural tension that mirrors the protagonists’ moral decay.
II. Acting Mastery: Beyond Star Power
- Andy Lau’s Career-Defining Nuance
Reprising his 1991 role as Lui Lok, Lau delivers a performance stripped of his trademark charm. Notice how he:
- Uses micro-gestures: A slight eyebrow raise when negotiating with British superiors conveys both submission and simmering rebellion .
- Evolves physicality: Compare his upright posture in early scenes to the world-weary slouch after Ho’s empire destabilizes their partnership.
- Donnie Yen’s Transformation
Breaking free from his Ip Man persona, Yen portrays Ho’s journey from scrappy fighter to paranoid tyrant:
- Fighting Style: Raw, unrefined brawls replace his signature Wing Chun elegance, including a visceral alley fight where he loses a shoe mid-combat .
- Emotional Range: His silent breakdown upon finding his drowned wife’s body speaks louder than any dialogue.
- Supporting Cast Gems
- Zheng Ze Shi (Fatty): The veteran actor steals scenes as a loyal triad accountant, blending dark humor with tragic devotion.
- Xu Dongdong: As the ill-fated Rose, she embodies the era’s marginalized women – a bridge between Ho’s humanity and brutality .
III. Themes That Transcend Borders
- The Illusion of Control
The title Chasing the Dragon metaphorically critiques the protagonists’ futile quests:
- Ho chases dominance through heroin trade, yet becomes enslaved by vengeance.
- Lui builds a corruption empire, only to face 1974’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) purge .
- Colonial Tensions
The film’s boldest move is portraying British antagonists not as faceless villains but active participants in systemic rot:
- A colonial officer’s racist remark (“Chinese rats”) directly triggers Ho’s wife’s death.
- The cricket match sequence juxtaposes British elites’ polo games with Chinese gang wars – a visual indictment of imperial hypocrisy .
- Brotherhsood vs. Betrayal
The central relationship evolves through three acts: - Symbiosis (1963-1967): Their “blood oath” scene, lit by firelight, mirrors The Godfather’s baptism sequence in thematic weight.
- Suspicion (1968-1973): Lui’s hesitation to aid Ho’s drug-addicted brother reveals cracks in their pact.
- Collision (1974): The poetic final standoff on a rain-slicked rooftop – Western suits vs. traditional robes – symbolizes East-West cultural clashes .
IV. Why Global Audiences Should Watch
- A Gateway to Hong Kong History
The film contextualizes pivotal events:
- 1967 Leftist Riots: Depicted through chaotic street battles that shape Ho’s rise.
- 1974 ICAC Reform: Lui’s exile to Canada mirrors real-life detective Lui Lok’s flight from justice.
- Genre-Blending Brilliance
Wong Jing masterfully balances:
- Crime Thriller: A cocaine deal gone wrong in Thailand’s Golden Triangle.
- Political Drama: Lui’s chess-like maneuvering against British superiors.
- Tragedy: Ho’s Shakespearean downfall from immigrant dreamer to paranoid despot.
- Cultural Conversation Starter
Debate-worthy scenes include:
- The ambiguous morality of Ho funding schools while poisoning communities.
- Lui’s justification: “If I don’t take bribes, the British will.”
V. Beyond the Screen: Legacy and Impact
Despite its 1970s setting, Chasing the Dragon resonates with modern themes:
- Corruption Cycles: Compare Ho’s drug empire to modern crypto cartels.
- Immigrant Struggles: Ho’s journey mirrors contemporary diaspora narratives.
- Artistic Courage: In an age of censorship, the film’s unflinching violence (decapitations, ear mutilations) preserves Hong Kong cinema’s rebellious spirit .
Conclusion: More Than a Gangster Film
-Chasing the Dragon* ultimately transcends its genre through Shakespearean character arcs and socio-political commentary. For international viewers, it offers:
- A masterclass in balancing commercial appeal with artistic integrity.
- A haunting exploration of how ambition corrupts even the noblest intentions.
- Andy Lau’s career-best performance that redefines his global star status.
As the closing credits roll over a haunting cover of A World Without Thieves (Lau’s 2004 film), we’re left contemplating universal truths about power’s seductive destructiveness – proof that great cinema speaks every language.