Within the fist few minutes of Angels Project, we see a number of people getting killed off by a mysterious attacker before cutting to a stake-out involving cops, Cliff Lok and his team. I've always enjoyed Lok in his traditional kung-fu outings, but have never seen him in a modern day action flick until now. Obviously aged since his leading-man days, big Cliff is now about the size of Sammo Hung (on a good day) and thankfully, can still bust a move.
You get to find that out within minutes as Brit-kicker, Mark Houghton, turns up in his US-Flag patterned trousers with some gangsters, and the first action piece begins with Mark pulling off a host of traditional styles as Lok tries to keep up! The fight action is handled by Jackie Chan Stunt Team member, and actor, Benny Lai (the deaf guy in Police Story 2), who brings some lengthy battles to the film...
Not too long in, and after a shady deal, Lok is killed off in a brutal stabbing!
Before the 20 minute mark we head to Malaysia where we meet female cops, the great Moon Lee and Sibelle Hu, who are transferring one of Cliff Lok's prisoners from Hong Kong. The girls can't get a return flight until the following day, so must stay over and head straight out for lunch. Of course, one can't just have a normal lunch, and soon a rescue attempt of the very same prisoner happens right in front of their restaurant. Naturally, the girls give chase and get right into the action with Moon looking as great as always, and Sibelle pulling off a lot more moves than usual - which is great to see.
One of the bad guys is the aforementioned Benny Lai. Once captured, the take him back to the station where they meet Jimmy Lee (God Of Gamblers, Angel Force). Unfortunately, we soon learn that Lee is a dirty cop and Benny is one of his men - going on to be a prominent cast member soon after...
Angels Project has never been high on the list of anyone's recommended 'Girls-With-Guns' or 'Femme-Fatale' films. Even though it stars two of the genres biggest and busiest names in Hu and Lee, most fans would probably bypass it in thinking it was just another rip-off from the Angels/Iron Angels craze. And well, apart from it stealing a bit of musical score, its actually not!
More of a police-thriller, than super-spy-adventure, Angels Project may have its flaws but directors Philip Ko and Cheung Ho Tak deliver a pretty decent action film that screams Hong Kong cinema, and delivers on hard-hitting, sometimes violent, martial arts action and stunt work. Both Moon Lee and Sibelle Hu are in top form, both in the acting and action department. And while direction may not be as strong as say, a Golden Harvest production from the same year, or with as high production values, it certainly entertains and offers plenty of non-stop action - only resting for a bit in the middle to allow for some comedy and character development...
Plenty of gun-play and martial arts action sees out its lengthy finale!
Overall: Average in plot and direction, Angels Project is rough-around-edges, but packed with great action that entertains!
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