Whether Westerners realize it or not, the Hong Kong film industry revolutionized how action films were made everywhere. During the ’80s and early ’90s, with the stunt work, martial arts, and heroic gunplay, the impact of those films is still felt today. Thankfully, companies like Arrow and 88 Films are going to great lengths to preserve them and introduce them to an entirely new audience. One of the most influential series of action films to come out of that era was In the Line of Duty, spanning nine films and launching the careers of Michelle Yeoh (then billed as Michelle Khan), Cynthia Rothrock, and Cynthia Khan.
The first four films, Royal Warriors (1986), Yes, Madam! (1985), In the Line of Duty III (1988), and In the Line of Duty IV (1989), have been painstakingly restored in 2K. They look and sound better than ever. 88 Films pulled out all the punches to deliver one of the year’s best box sets.
Royal Warriors follows three cops as they track down a deadly group of Vietnam veterans with a pact to live and die together. Their actions quickly turn to terrorism, and our three heroes must band together to save Hong Kong from total destruction.
Directed by David Chung, Michelle Yeoh steals the picture in her second lead role. Accompanied by Hiroyuki Sanada (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Michael Wong (City Hunter), the three actors shine in the action sequences. The opening hijacking of a plane is a real standout. The martial arts action is a little dialed back in this one, but the amount of gunfights is pretty staggering. Royal Warriors is pretty dark but is still an impressive and entertaining entry.
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Yes, Madam! is about two female cops who have to team up, whether they like it or not, to find a missing strip of microfilm. There’s important information on there, and if it falls into the wrong hands, it will be deadly.
Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock both made their film debuts in this feature directed by Corey Yuen. There’s a neat mix of humor and action, though the comedy can get a bit goofy at times. The action is truly impressive, with unique fight choreography. The final nine-minute fight scenes are arguably in the top ten of all time.
In the Line of Duty III begins when two thieves pull off the jewelry heist of a lifetime, hoping to use their score to buy an arsenal of weapons. They soon learn the jewels are fake and decide to take out all their anger and frustration on Hong Kong. Rachel Yeung (Cynthia Khan) is a rookie who is constantly sidelined or kept out of harm’s way by her captain, who also happens to be her uncle. They don’t realize she’s ready for anything anyone can throw at her, and she will do whatever it takes to keep Hong Kong safe.
This was the first film to actually use the title In the Line of Duty. Also, it would be the first appearance of Taiwanese actress Cynthia Khan in the series. Her real name is Li-tsing Yang, adopting the stage name Cynthia Khan, a combination of Michelle Khan and Cynthia Rothrock, the stars of Yes, Madam!. Part three goes off the deep end, in a sense. It’s the most brutal, violent, and explicit film in the series. Khan quickly proves she has what it takes to lead the series, delivering a high-octane performance. In the Line of Duty III may be the weakest of the four, but it’s still pretty great.
In the Line of Duty IV follows two American cops and a Hong Kong detective as they track down a harbor worker who may or may not have a film role with important evidence on it. Someone is crooked, and there are constant attempts on the workers’ life. The two American cops must figure out who is corrupt while trying to keep the worker safe.
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Next to Yes, Madam!, part four is just as exciting. Khan is more comfortable on screen, and her fight scenes are even more thrilling. Also, a very young Donnie Yen co-stars, and even this early in his career, you can tell he’s bound for greatness. The legendary Yuen Woo-Ping (The Matrix) directs, and his skill easily elevates this to legendary status. Khan and Yen are great together, and the action is top-notch. Ditching the gun fights predominantly used in three, the martial arts action keeps smacking the audience in the face.
The titles can get a bit confusing since they’ve been released worldwide under different titles. In fact, Yes, Madam! was released before Royal Warriors and was only released as In the Line of Duty in certain territories. Also, the films aren’t even connected, just in title only.
88 Films has assembled an epic package. Each one has its own case and, along with two two-sided posters and a 100-page book from Matthew Edwards, fits snuggly in the hardback case. Each film has alternate versions, usually the classic English dubbed, interviews, commentaries, and more. They have newly commissioned artworks, with the original on the flipside.
I hope to see 88 Films do a second volume to finish the franchise. The remaining films are just as deserving, and hopefully, there will be an announcement soon.
