On the Run (1988) User Reviews

As gritty as they get

[Bogey Man · 8/10 · 8 October 2002]

Alfred Cheung's ON THE RUN (1988) stars Yuen Biao as a cop who gets to know his boss and other colleagues are not as clean as they should be. His wife gets assassinated and he meets a mysterious hit woman (Pat Ha). It comes clear that they are tracked by some very corrupt criminals/cops and they are on their own to survive. No children or women are safe either in the gritty and infernal urban jungle the film takes place in..

This film is very impressive piece of Hong Kong crime/triad thrillers which hate the usual "humor" found in HK films as much as I do. The film is all the time serious and at the end, very pessimistic and nihilistic, too. The seemingly "good" character changes, again, and after all, he isn't any less violent and "bad" than those who originally hunted him and Pat. I'm not quite sure what the film maker's meant with the ending but I think it is there to depict the decay of the movie character's world and how it forced the worst and ugliest sides in Biao's character to see the light and become active.

Still this film is very impressive even if we leave these "deeper" sides of the script away thinking they don't necessarily mean as much as we wanted to. The photography and settings are dark and atmospheric and enhanced even further by the strong and menacing soundtrack and use of music. The streets, alleys and hallways are captured menacingly and claustrophobically on camera, and this film is an example of what makes other masterpieces of HK crime genre so great.

The action is plentiful and leaves no changes to breathe for the characters. This film is as bleak in its violence as it is in its visual style and look of the film. I give ON THE RUN 8/10 rating and I'm pretty sure this requires more viewing times in order to fully appreciate it and its all aspects. This is highly recommended for those who love their HK films honest and realistic without any unnecessary and irritatingly awful humor often found in HK films, action films included.

Intense film noir

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 27 September 2019]

ON THE RUN is a surprisingly serious and excellent slice of film noir from Hong Kong. With Yuen Biao in the lead role you'd expect this to be a kick-backside slice of action filmmaking such as ABOVE THE LAW, but in fact it's intensely serious and more of a character study than an action flick. In fact, there's just one stunt and one big fight scene, but on the other hand the film is seriously violent with a lot of graphic and surprising moments. I had a ball with it, thanks to the straight, great performances from a cast doing justice to their roles, and the fast pace which never hangs around to draw breath. In some ways it feels like a classic 'wronged man' movie from the 1950s, except with more intensity and bloodshed. Charlie Chin is particularly convincing in his transition from romantic role in MY LUCKY STARS to sleazy villain in this, and who can resist the trio of Lo Lieh, Phillip Ko and Yuen Wah?

Run Yuen Run

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 20 December 2022]

No pun intended - and it's not that much running ... actually there is a fair amount of it, to be honest. And there is a fair amount of action, but if you watched it back in the day apparently ... coming right after Righting Wrongs ... you may have had different expectations ... you may have thought this would be something totally different. And let me tell you: this does not take any prisoners ... it is not like a Hollywood movie (which you hopefully already know beforehand) ... everything goes ... or can go.

That all being said, Yuen Biao cements his role and stature in Hong Kong cinema ... playing a more "realistic" person/cop. Still doing some insane things .. but all in the name of the law. Also we have a bit of a "Killer" relationship between him and an assassin (female) ... if you have seen John Woos classic you'll know what I mean - I reckon.

Action scenes are really good, but this lives off the story and the tension it creates ... will our main character be able to uncover the evil people who seem to be after him ... and make them pay. When I said earlier that this takes no prisoners ... I really meant it ... the special effects are off the charts ... there are head shots here, that look as crazy as possible ... not sure what the safety regulations where (if any), but this must have been quite the ordeal to film ... many times (no pun intended) ... on the other hand it does pay off (and again no pun intended) ... a really great thriller movie ... that is as out there as it possibly can.

Alfred Cheung's best film

[ChWasser · 23 September 1999]

Even for a 'heroic bloodshed' from Hong Kong's glorious 80s this movie is really dark and nihilistic but I love it! A true film noir, which doesn't even spare children from being shot and which features the coolest hitwoman in film history. Compared to Pat Ha's professionalism the ladies from "Nikita" or "Beyond Hypothermia" appear nice and harmless.

And yet she is very likeable as a foreigner stranded in a city that she doesn't like with her Jackie-Kennedy-hairdo and old-fashioned clothes from the 60s. Yuen Biao is great as well in one of his best roles.

"Your daddy's finished for sure"

[hwg1957-102-265704 · 7/10 · 1 September 2021]

A gripping piece of 1980's Hong Kong noir that is uncompromising in its brutal action and tragic atmosphere. All the main villains get killed and the two heroic leads get imprisoned. Even an innocent child doesn't survive. It's a bleak film but a fascinating one. The cast are perfect. Yuen Biao gives one of his best performances as the anguished CID man. As the rogue police familiar thespians Charlie Chin, Yuen Wah, Phillip Ko and Lo Lieh are brilliant, again giving some of their best playing in a HK film. And even better is Pat Ha as the assassin Miss Pai who doesn't say much leaving her face to do the performing and who is riveting. If you want to see why Hong Kong cinema of that era is a wonder to behold watch this film.

A faultless yet harsh thriller.

[nick-o · 10/10 · 14 March 2001]

'On The Run' is one of those great movies you see, never forget, and probably spend years of your life trying to convince your friends to watch. A tight and unpredictable thriller (don't worry, no spoilers here), it is one of the great unsung Hong Kong movies of the late 80's, boasting great performances from its leads (Yuen Biao and Pat Ha) and superbly restrained direction from Alfred Cheung. Yuen, fresh from excellent roles in Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan movies, shines bright as the put-upon hero, wearied by his life and ready to run. Guess what? He can't. There's none of Yuens trademark acrobatic fighting here, just harsh, bloody brawling, and the great stunts within are wonderfully under-shot. Director Cheung was better known for his comedies, and perhaps this gave him space to bring out the characters. Regardless, this is triumphant cinema on every level.

A good movie but gets lost in translation

[The-Sarkologist · 6/10 · 18 October 2013]

David Stratton said before the movie that this was film noir Hong Kong style and its main theme was the paranoia of the decade leading up to the Chinese Takeover of Hong Kong. The movie was very dark and there was a feeling of hopelessness running through the movie, but I am not sure that the paranoia is the major theme. Rather I think it is the hopelessness of life as the inevitable comes closer.

To the characters of the movie, the handing over of Hong Kong to China is like death. It is something that has to be done and it is something that they cannot escape. They are not paranoid, but rather fearful, and this fear manifests in the desire to be secure. The handover creates a sense of insecurity within the characters of the movie, and as such they will resort to anything to escape it. The main character seeks to go with his estranged wife who is emigrating to Canada, while others have resorted to lucrative drug deals to gain enough money to escape.

The movie is also about escaping. The two main characters are trying to escape Hong Kong and their fate. The corrupt homicide squad are dealing with drugs to rake in enough money to escape, while the other two, who are being hunted down by the Hong Kong authorities, want to escape to the golden triangle so as to flee the persecution that will come on them. The two characters are a political CID officer and an assassin. The assassin was hired by the police to kill one of their own because she had discovered too much. The police were then going to kill her because they did not want any witnesses. The CID officer, whose wife was murdered, gets caught up in the affair when he captures the assassin. They decide to kill him as well because he knows too much. As such the two are forced together and to rely upon each other to survive. It is not two innocent people trying to bring justice; the assassin is clearly guilty. As such she is an anti-hero. She is flawed in the fact that she is guilty of her crimes and there is no justice that can help her. Merely by associating with her, the CID officer is also guilty. He has to turn her in, but if he does he is likely to be killed as well. Either way he is trapped. He seeks revenge for the murder of his wife, but cannot fulfill it because to do so would be to remove any hope of escaping.

The ideas that come up in the movie are very good, but I feel that the structure does not do it justice. Unfortunately, being in Chinese, we loose a lot in the translation, and thus we cannot see the anguish that the CID officer must face. I did not find the structure of the movie supported the ideas that I discussed fully. That is where the movie fell down, I could see the ideas on the surface, but the characterisation and the fear that is supposed to accompany that is not seen. As such, On the Run turns out to be a simple Hong Kong action flick.

The best film-noir of all time. Period.

[rehanyousuf15 · 10/10 · 3 June 2001]

Alfred Cheung Kin-ting directs this feverishly paced crime noir that is one of the finest in the genre. Yuen Biao stars as Lo Huan, a Hong Kong police officer who unfoils a dangerous conspiracy that results in the assassination of his ex-wife. As it turns out, his ex-wife had an ongoing affair with his own corrupt superintendent, and when she learnt of his behind the scenes heroin ring, he simply arranged a hit and had her brushed off. The hired gun, Ah Chui, performs the job with the greatest of ease, but for various reasons, is next on the superiors hit list. Now on the run, Ah Chui accidentally confronts Lo Huan, who eventually sheds his grief and teams up with the woman to take down the corruption in the force. What follows is a high stakes cat and mouse game that leads to a brutally violent conclusion, leaving no one unscathed.

On the Run is perhaps known best for providing Yuen Biao with his finest performance to date. His portrayal as the troubled moralistic cop is dead on, combining both superb restraint and expressive emotions. Ah Biao's female counterpart, Pat Ha, gives a noteworthy acting job, and is completely believable as a cold and calculated hitwoman, only to have human feelings and emotions to get in the way of her career. Also appearing in supporting roles is veteran Taiwanese actor Charlie Chin, who co-stars as the corrupt superintendent, and fellow Peking Opera schoolmate Yuen Wah, who appears as one of his cronies.

Director Cheung doesn't disappont either, and perfectly complements the gloomy theme with dark cinematography which takes place in the black, Hong Kong horizon dimly litted with the traditional glow of neon lights. It is almost impossible to not be absorbed in the mood by the cinematography. The writing also plays a large part in setting the theme. The script is masterfully crafted, moving at lightning pace, providing the viewer with plenty of suspense and surprises to glue the them to the television for the 90 minute duration. All in all, you won't find pretentious, incomprehensible wannabe filmmaking crap in the tradition of Michael Bay, just pure talented directors and writers at full force.

Of course, novices to Hong Kong films will immediately typecast this as standard, martial arts action fare. Well, it's just pure ignorance on their part. Aside from an incredible pole-slide stunt performed by Yuen Biao, all of the action is played straight. The fight finale between Yuen Biao and Charlie Chin's henchmen is nothing but intense brutality and realism at play. Fluid, acrobatic choreography is the last thing you should expect. In the case of On the Run, that is a good thing. Any type of cartoon- like Jackie Chan action will just ruin every theme the film is trying to convey. Thankfully the filmmakers didn't bite to mass appeal just like so many others in this entertainment world today.

Overall, On the Run is a milestone achievement in Hong Kong filmmaking. Multiple viewings is absolutely required for this masterpiece, and of course, I highly recommend this overlooked gem to anybody itching to get out of the Jackie Chan/ John Woo mode.

Bad sound effects

[Die Hard-3 · 6/10 · 17 October 1998]

This movie was OK, a little unrealistic, fairly violent, but when they are punching each other, the sound-effects were horrible. People kept getting shot in the chest, but they never die, they seem almost fine shortly afterwards. A lot of people seem to get shot in the eye. And I didn't understand why the bad guy wanted to get shot in the hand.

Very good!

[lyle-5 · 10/10 · 7 March 1999]

This is a crime drama in which he, as a police, is, "on the run" with a female killer (played by Wen-shi Sha). From every aspect of filmmaking, "On the Run" is one of the best HK crime drama ever made. In this movie, you don't see kung-fu, but solid action and the final fighting sequence is very realistic. Very moody and stylish, and IMHO, it's to some degree better than most of John Woo's works.

Fairly average crime action thriller...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 24 January 2023]

As I sat down in 2023 to watch the 1988 Hong Kong crime action thriller "Mong Ming Yuen Yeung" (aka "On the Run"), it was actually for the very first time ever. In fact, I had never heard about the movie prior to getting the chance to sit down and watch it. And given my fascination with the Hong Kong cinema, of course I opted to do so in a heartbeat.

Writers Alfred Cheung and Keith Wong put together a fair enough script and storyline for the movie. Sure, it wasn't really an outstanding movie, especially in comparison to some other Hong Kong movies from the late 1980s. But it was entertaining enough for what it was, and it was definitely a chance of pace for actor Biao Yuen.

There are some familiar faces on the cast list, with the likes of Biao Yuen, Wah Yuen and Lieh Lo. And I will say that this movie was definitely something else when you think of a Biao Yuen movie, as it was way more brutal and violent than his usual movies are.

There is a fair amount of action and shooting throughout the course of the 88 minutes that the movie ran for, but in comparison to other late 1980s Hong Kong action movies, then it wasn't really as intense. And there isn't any martial arts in this movie, even with it being a Biao Yuen movie.

"Mong Ming Yuen Yeung" is watchable a single time, but that is essentially it, because there isn't enough contents to the storyline to support more than just that first and only viewing.

My rating of director Alfred Cheung's 1988 movie "Mong Ming Yuen Yeung" lands on a five out of ten stars.