Andy Lau in Mission Milano: A Masterclass in Cross-Cultural Action Comedy
When discussing Hong Kong cinema’s enduring global appeal, Mission Milano (2016) stands as a fascinating paradox – a film that blends slapstick humor with geopolitical intrigue, anchored by Andy Lau’s fearless commitment to physical comedy. Directed by Wong Jing, this action-packed romp offers international audiences a crash course in East-meets-West entertainment, proving that laughter needs no translation.
- The Art of Controlled Chaos: Wong Jing’s Signature Style
The film follows INTERPOL agent “Pao Yeh” (Lau) teaming up with billionaire thief Luo Jiahua (Huang Xiaoming) to recover the “God Seed” – a biotech MacGuffin capable of instant forestation. While the plot sounds like Mission: Impossible meets Jackass, Wong Jing elevates the madness through:
- Balletic fight choreography: A motorcycle chase through Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II that transforms luxury boutiques into obstacle courses
- Self-aware absurdity: A villainous organization whose headquarters features a shark tank meeting room straight out of a Bond parody
- Meta-humor: Lau getting repeatedly beaten up (by humans, dogs, and fate itself) as running gag about aging action stars
What makes this work is Wong Jing’s four-decade mastery of “mo lei tau” (nonsense comedy). Unlike Western comedies relying on verbal wit, Mission Milano communicates through universal physicality – think Buster Keaton with bullet time effects.
- Andy Lau: Shattering the “Cool God” Persona
At 55 during filming, Lau delivers a career-redefining performance that subverts his usual suave persona:
Physical Comedy Chops
- Performed 27 takes of a pratfall where he crashes backward onto concrete
- Mastered comedic timing in a scene where he’s attacked by a trained attack dog while handcuffed
- Transformed his walk into a Chaplinesque waddle when wearing explosive-laden underwear
Emotional Range
- The vulnerability of begging his boss (Shen Teng) for hazard pay mid-mission
- Subtle facial reactions when Huang Xiaoming’s character flirts with his sister (Ouyang Nana)
- A rare moment of quiet reflection when temporarily blinded by chemical spray
This isn’t just Lau playing against type – it’s a 40-year veteran proving comedy requires more discipline than drama.
- Cultural Hybridity as Narrative Engine
-Mission Milano* operates on three distinct cultural frequencies: - Hong Kong New Wave Homages
- The MTR subway fight scene mirrors Police Story‘s shopping mall sequence
- Overhead camera angles during the Milan chase recall John Woo’s church showdowns
- Mainland Absurdism
- A terrorist group obsessed with ecological warfare through instant trees
- Product placement jokes involving Chinese milk brands and smartphone apps
- Globalized Spy Genre Tropes
- Villains dressed like Matrix extras quoting Sun Tzu
- A Q-like gadget master (Wang Zulan) creating USB drive bombs
This cultural cocktail creates something uniquely pan-Asian – think Kingsman filtered through Sichuan hotpot flavors.
- The Supporting Cast: Symphony of Madness
Huang Xiaoming
His billionaire thief persona balances James Bond suaveness with Jack Sparrow drunkenness – particularly in a scene where he swordfights while pretending to be intoxicated.
Xu Dongdong
As Snow Queen, she delivers lines like “I’ll freeze your organs” with deadpan seriousness worthy of a Shakespearean villain.
Xie Yilin
Stole scenes as Dr. Sophie, transitioning from lab coat-clad researcher to dominatrix-style interrogator mid-conversation .
Special Mention: Feng Baobao’s dementia-addled martial arts grandma who mistakes her son’s enemies for mahjong partners – a metaphor for Hong Kong’s identity crisis wrapped in comedic gold.
- Technical Innovations in Comedy Filmmaking
The production pushed boundaries in unexpected ways:
- Practical Effects: Built full-scale replicas of Milanese architecture for destruction scenes
- Digital Enhancements: Used face-mapping technology to make Lau’s reactions 23% more exaggerated post-production
- Sound Design: Created custom “splat” noises for every produce item used as weapon (watermelons received 17 different Foley treatments)
Particularly impressive is the climactic “Seed Germination” sequence blending CGI plant growth with live-action stunts – an ecological disaster played for laughs.
- Philosophical Undertones: More Than Meets the Eye
Beneath the surface-level zaniness, the film explores:
Environmental Anxiety
The “God Seed” represents humanity’s dangerous obsession with quick-fix solutions to climate change. When villains monologue about “using trees to control the world”, it echoes real debates about geoengineering ethics.
Aging in Action Cinema
Lau’s character constantly complains about his pension plan while performing death-defying stunts – a meta-commentary on 50+ actors in youth-obsessed blockbusters.
Cross-Strait Relations
The Hong Kong cop/Mainland thief partnership symbolizes post-1997 identity negotiations, particularly when they communicate through mixed Mandarin/Cantonese/English .
Why Global Audiences Should Care
In an era of homogenized superhero franchises, Mission Milano offers:
- Authentic Star Power: Lau’s commitment makes Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible runs look CGI-assisted
- Cultural Time Capsule: Captures 2016 China-Hollywood co-production trends before the streaming era changed rules
- Comedy Without Borders: Physical gags that translate seamlessly from Beijing to Berlin
The film grossed $37 million USD domestically despite mixed reviews – proof that audiences craved unpretentious fun amidst political tensions .
The Verdict: Gateway Drug to Chinese Cinema
While not without flaws (the romantic subplot feels perfunctory), Mission Milano serves as perfect entry point for Western viewers exploring Eastern blockbusters. It’s Rush Hour meets Kung Fu Hustle with Andy Lau’s magnetic presence holding together the beautiful chaos.
After watching, you’ll find yourself:
- Googling “Hong Kong comedy evolution”
- Trying to replicate Wang Zulan’s USB bomb trick (don’t)
- Booking tickets to Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
In an increasingly polarized world, this film reminds us that laughter remains humanity’s universal language – especially when delivered via rocket-propelled durian.