KILLER FROM ABOVE is a Taiwanese kung fu film with routine action and a fantastically twisty story that automatically lifts it above rival fare from the period. In fact, it has one of the most interesting plots I've seen from the genre full stop, containing as it does a wildly subversive storyline which plays with your expectations throughout. It also helps that it's thrilling and suspenseful in equal measure.
The film starts out on your usual footing. Lo Lieh is a vengeful assassin who goes around bumping off innocent folk until clean-cut hero Carter Wong decides to do something about it. So far, so predictable. But then the plot twists start coming in and it turns out that Lieh is the hero and Wong the villain. I adore Lieh in his hero parts and he's typically excellent here, bringing power and charisma to an otherwise familiar part.
The story just goes from there. Wong is sufficiently imposing and the supporting cast, including Cliff Lok, are fine. The director is a bit addicted to overuse of the zoom lens (I felt like I was watching a Jess Franco film at times) but otherwise not too bad. The fight scenes are plentiful and the choreography isn't the best, but it'll do. The water dungeon set piece is a good one, but even better is the countdown to the bomb climax and the ensuing power bout between Lieh and Wong. Genre fans should love it.
The film starts out on your usual footing. Lo Lieh is a vengeful assassin who goes around bumping off innocent folk until clean-cut hero Carter Wong decides to do something about it. So far, so predictable. But then the plot twists start coming in and it turns out that Lieh is the hero and Wong the villain. I adore Lieh in his hero parts and he's typically excellent here, bringing power and charisma to an otherwise familiar part.
The story just goes from there. Wong is sufficiently imposing and the supporting cast, including Cliff Lok, are fine. The director is a bit addicted to overuse of the zoom lens (I felt like I was watching a Jess Franco film at times) but otherwise not too bad. The fight scenes are plentiful and the choreography isn't the best, but it'll do. The water dungeon set piece is a good one, but even better is the countdown to the bomb climax and the ensuing power bout between Lieh and Wong. Genre fans should love it.