“Crocodile Hunter”: When Hong Kong Action Cinema Bit Into Political Satire
Before John Woo’s doves took flight and Wong Kar-wai’s neon-lit melancholy defined Hong Kong cinema, there existed a wilder breed of filmmaking – exemplified by 1989’s Expert at Fishing for Big Crocodiles (专钓大鳄). Directed by Wong Jing with uncharacteristic narrative discipline, this overlooked Andy Lau vehicle combines bullet ballet choreography with biting political commentary, offering Western audiences a perfect gateway to understanding pre-handover Hong Kong’s cinematic audacity.
- The DNA of a Hybrid Masterpiece
At first glance, the plot reads like Die Hard meets Police Academy:
- Wounded Hero: Inspector “Happy” Chao (Lau) returns from medical leave after a headshot injury, desperate to fund his mother’s surgery through bounty rewards.
- Prison Break: Four convicts including a computer expert (Deadfire Ted) escape using brutal tactics, triggering a citywide manhunt.
- Unlikely Alliance: Chao partners with bumbling officer Stinky Mouth (Wan Tzai-leung) and paroles convict Wild Chicken (Sandra Ng) as bait.
But beneath this action-comedy surface flows subversive DNA:
- Economic Anxiety: Chao’s need for surgical funds mirrors 1989 Hong Kong’s healthcare crisis.
- Colonial Critique: The password-protected vault symbolizes British financial control, while the crocodile metaphor represents predatory capitalism.
- Meta-Humor: Lau’s character constantly adjusts his hair mid-chase – a cheeky nod to his real-life vanity.
- Andy Lau: Redefining the Action Hero
As Inspector Chao, 28-year-old Lau bridges his idol persona and gritty maturity:
- Physical Syntax: His gun reloading sequences (perfected with real SWAT trainers.
- Patriotic Paradox: Chao’s simultaneous service to British Hong Kong police and filial piety to his traditional mother reflects the city’s identity crisis.
Lau’s chemistry with Sandra Ng’s ex-con informant sparks unexpected pathos – their rooftop confrontation about class divides remains shockingly relevant.
- Wong Jing’s Political Gambit
Though known for lowbrow comedies, Wong Jing smuggles daring commentary:
- Tiananmen Echoes: The line “Li Peng, go to hell!” directly references the Chinese Premier months after the June 4 incident.