This movie was my first encounter with any Hong Kong film. I watched this movie back in 1999 (on a VCR cassette).The story line is like many other holly wood movies produced at that time: "A patriotic cop in a difficult and life saving situation". Action is sloppy sometimes but the martial arts is quite good.Acting of lead cast both hero and villain is convincing (except the female lead because her performance was over-loud and not up to the standards).Dubbing could have been more better. Over all 6/10.If you can bear the 90's action, it is a good movie to watch.

Ever since SONY/Columbia/Tristar/(Disney)(silent partner) decided to release the Jackie Chan canon, it's become more and more clear that 1) they want a monopoly on redistributing Asian films on secondary markets (e.g. DVD); 2) they have no intention of allowing these films to go before an American audience without alterations; 3) they want to confuse Americans concerning the nature of these films by giving them spurious titles (most obviously "legend of this" or "legend of that" - almost none of these films have the word "legend" in their original titles).Here's yet another example. This film is not and never claimed to be (in its original title) a sequel to the Jet Li film "Meltdown". Whereas "Meltdown" is really a very dark satire in the draping of an ultra-violent action film, the present film is a dramatic confrontation with a troubling event in Chinese history - the massacre in Tianemen Square; in fact it's the only Chinese film I can think of that explicitly addresses that terrible event; and the fact that the government allowed production of a film that admits the primary responsibility for the massacre was the government's - and that the government was mistaken - indicates that China has come a long way since Tianemen Square. But of course SONY/Columbia/Tristar/(Disney) doesn't think a film of this nature ought to be viewed with any sympathy, so they gave it a title and a promotion package sure to confuse - and disappoint- many American audiences.On its own merits, the film is really quite good; the dramatic moments are well-handled and neatly performed. The action sequences - choreographed by the great Ching Siu Tung - are fast, high-impact, innovative. And they help move the plot along, they're not just tossed in to make this an action film. The dialog is just so-so, but the actors are determined to raise it above mediocre, and accomplish this in several key moments. The direction is solidly professional and we are left knowing that we have witnessed both a dramatic film AND an action film.It's not the among China's best, but it is worthwhile entertainment on its own terms.Hopefully SONY/Columbia/Tristar/(Disney) will one day realize that people who come to a film made in Asia want to see a film made in Asia, and not a re-interpreted "legend". However, there's still the hope for an anti-trust suit to break their bank....

Chiu is a Chinese agent that didn't obey orders and is sent to a former Soviet Republic (the made up Lavernia). In there, he fights with Mishima (who thinks he's the new Messiah) the leader of the Japanese Cult the Red Sun. The Lavernians start to hate all Asians. Chiu (Arthur Dong in this movie, although the cover says Yem Dong) is one of the Chinese Ambassadors bodyguards. He fights off all the token goons and bad guys and then goes head to head with Mishima, who's really a psychopath. The action itself is alright, although heavily wire aided and unrealistic, which is not really my favourite action style. The story though, is not all that bad, they actually seemed to have made a decent attempt, but it's just done quite poorly. The acting seems to be bad, but I can't be sure since it's dubbed (horrible, dubbing sucks). Tammy (Tammie) is dubbed really, really badly but she's an annoying character anyways so when she DIES (haha spoiler but you'll thank me later, cause you're gonna hate her for sure) you'll be glad, the woman just can't seem to stop screaming, moaning and yelling.

This film's plotline may not be much but who cares when there's superb action going on? Zhao Wenzhuo delivers as usual as does Andrew Lin Hoi as the evil cult leader. The fights are an eyeful..checkout the subway fight. Also the final fight was indeed eye-popping..granted a little over-the-top due to wire-fu but still when Zhao Wenzhuo flashes his sabre..look out!!It's a must-see for action fans tired of poseurs like MI:2...!