Film review: Z Storm covers no new ground, but has moments of interest
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s image has been tarnished recently by the removal of high-profile graft suspect Song Lin as head of its ethics advisory body, and the expenses scandal involving its former chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming.
Z STORM
Starring: Louis Koo Tin-lok, Dada Chan Ching, Michael Wong Man-tak, Gordon Lam Ka-tung
Director: David Lam Tak-luk
Category: IIA (Cantonese, English and Putonghua)
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s image has been tarnished recently by the removal of high-profile graft suspect Song Lin as head of its ethics advisory body, and the expenses scandal involving its former chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming.
But the local film industry remains intent on celebrating the ICAC as a shining beacon of law enforcement. The Hong Kong International Film Festival commemorated the government body's 40th anniversary with a special programme depicting real-life ICAC cases earlier this year, and now David Lam Tak-luk's features incorruptible ICAC officers going up against corrupt cops.
A blockbuster crime thriller with a number of scenes that recall the 2012 hit , the film begins with a Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) operation at top accountant Law Tak-wing's (Lo Hoi-pang) office. This takes a shocking turn when CCB superintendent Wong Man-bin (Gordon Lam Ka-tung) indicates that he's prepared to help the veteran money man elude the law. In another surprise move, Wong attracts the attention of the ICAC after his wife, angry about his being a "gambling and whoring asshole", reports him to the anti-graft agency.
Determined to investigate Wong, despite the fact that he's a rising star of the police force, ICAC officer William Luk (Louis Koo Tin-lok) and his team end up working to stop the biggest financial fraud ever attempted in Hong Kong, one which involves the Z Hedge Fund, into which the Hong Kong government is putting money.
Faced with political pressure and a deadline to get the job done, Luk targets the fund's legal consultant, Malcolm Wu (Michael Wong Man-tak), and looks to many people such as the mysterious Angel (Dada Chan Ching) to try and get his man.
One is gripped by a feeling of déjà vu watching this film — and not just because it's the third Hong Kong crime movie in less than a year with "Storm" in its title (after 2013's and ). Its lead actor has already appeared in six other releases this year, and it's become a given for this kind of film to include Lo Hoi-pang, Liu Kai-chi, and Michael Wong in the cast, with the latter smoking a cigar at some point.
But although the story is predictable for those who follow crime thrillers and dramas, there are touches of originality and humour to keep things interesting.
While the end message comes across as disingenuously cheerleading, scattered asides like "All luxury buildings in Hong Kong have unauthorised work" will be appreciated by local viewers.
opens on June 19
