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2000 AD is basically an espionage/computer
thriller that centres around a young lad Peter
Li, played by Aaron Kwok, whose brother, Greg,
is a top computer expert who works for a company
that supplies software and programs to the US
military. Greg has discovered that someone is
stealing their programs. In particular, a program
that can shut down banks, hospitals etc with the
touch of a button. Greg is framed for the plot
and is summarily assassinated by the true criminals
before he can give the police any pertinent information
about them. Enraged, Peter sets out independently
to uncover the truth and bring those responsible
to justice.
This is a pretty basic computer thriller played
against the backdrop of the world-wide fear of
the Y2K bug. Unfortunately it never quite hits
the mark. Director Gordon Chan's fluid camerawork
gives the film a very slick MTV look but cannot
hide the fact that there is a lame script at work
here. Chan tries to make the film appear more
complex than it really is and ends up making the
whole thing rather more muddled and incomprehensible
than it was to begin with. The cast do the best
they can, with Aaron Kwok turning in an enthusiastic
and high-energy performance. Unfortunately, this
is not enough to save the film.
Having said all that, it is more than enjoyable
to watch and the gunplay sequences are outstanding
and will leave you breathless. Chan certainly
excels in this area of movie making but, sadly,
the film as a whole tends to drag and director
Chan never seems to quite hit his stride. The
film can never quite decide whether it's
a thriller or an actioner – and so kind
of wobbles between the two, which makes it a bit
of an incomprehensible mess.
This was never going to be cult classic or even
a reference film for fans of the HK action genre,
but it's not without its good moments. It's
also rather outdated now and hasn't weathered
the passage of time very well. Nevertheless, the
action sequences are finely executed and worth
seeing. |
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| Video |
| This is a stunningly faultless transfer. The colours
are natural, the blacks deep and solid, no artifacting
and a crisp, sharp image throughout. HKL have done
a top job of mastering this movie onto DVD and is
easily as good as any new release from the major
Hollywood studios. |
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| Audio |
| The audio on this film is tremendous. Presented
in DD 5.1 it makes full use of the soundstage. There
is plenty of audio movement and not just in the
action sequences. The gunplay set pieces are astounding
in the audio arena with bullets whizzing round and
ricocheting past your ear. Incredibly involving
and enhances the film a hundred-fold. Audio tracks
don't come much better than this. |
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| Extra Features |
| As per usual HKL provide the disc with plenty
of extras giving the buyer value for money. With
fascinating interviews, an informative commentary
with director Chan and martial artist and HK cinema
fanatic Bey Logan, a music promo and trailer this
disc is not short on extras. Fans of this film and
HK cinema in general will not be disappointed. |
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| The Verdict |
I was in something of a quandary as to what
rating to give this disc having not been too impressed
with the film itself but utterly knocked out by
the quality of the disc. So, it was eventually
awarded 4, but that is mainly because of the standard
of the presentation than for the film.
This is a marvellous DVD that puts many major
releases to shame. A faultless transfer, plenty
of extras and nicely packaged. What more could
you ask for? A better film perhaps...
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