Cold War (2012)

Why so much hype?

Overrated

Absolutely Fantastic

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I've now seen this film a couple of times and enjoyed it. However, can I just affirm that its portrayal of the culture and methods of the Hong Kong Police Force is pure fiction. I acknowledge that a bit of poetic license is given for the creative process, but this film is so far off the mark its laughable. Having said that, the cinematography is impressive, bringing out the best that the Hong Kong skyline has to offer. The acting is impressive, except for Micheal Wong. He is his usual staid self and unappealing in portrayal of the Commissioner. Wong neither has the acting chops or the gravitas to fill the role.

I wouldn't agree with the "absolutely nothing" that follows in that particular song, but then again it does only refer to war, which itself is a solid sentiment. But this movie is worth something, even if it is not up to par, with other productions we are now almost accustomed with. Still better than any average US Hollywood action movie, this gives you what you want from it.And that is action and suspense primarily. Not the best stunts I have seen, but with a stellar cast and a story that is trying to be as tricky as possible (especially morally wise), this does entertain and keep you guessing until the end. A more than decent effort which can be recommended

I saw this film today on DVD i don't care about critical reception critics got no business watching films there is something very underrated about this film specially the middle of the film its very deep when hong Kong police investigates and it involves a lot of politics and dialogs that could spin your head and think again about who to trust i liked the film for what it was but it comes with flaws like overused cgi & cheesy climax.The Plot:in honk Kong one night a van loaded with high tech equipment & 5 officers disappear out of the map,the hijackers make demands but the whole police department goes insane trying to figure out is there a mole among them or they have became weak that anyone can attack.The Cast:Andy Lau & Aaron Kwok looked smooth but Charlie Yeung surprises with her new hairstyle but Toney Leung Ka Fai Steals the show with brilliant performance, i have to say this film is better then departed or any other stupid film that Hollywood makes but in the climax it looses itself specially the rooftop action scene and unnecessary explosions but overall its a good film worth watchable you'll get to know what its like and how the police in china operates there is also a big surprise in the end which i wont tell.Cold War 2012 is a fine film filled with heavy suspense,dialogs and its quite entertaining to see actors taking full advantage of the environment of work place my rating is 5/10 its almost the best film made but could have been more better but do see this film:Recommended.

This review, brainstormed by multiple great pieces of Chinese reviews, combined with the clarifications made by the directors, aims at uncovering the suspense and unsolved puzzles of the movie.The debate over whether Mr. M.B. Waise Lee the Deputy Commissioner (Operation) takes part in the scheme is undoubtedly the most controversial issue.This review proposes that Deputy Lee is almost completely innocent. To justify, it is necessary to differentiate of which Deputy Lee's sentiments is acting and not acting. What the silver screen progressively shows are:At the outset, Lee openly scolds Man To for the failure of telecommunications system. Afterwards, Lee urges a swift assault at a dockyard in an attempt to rescue the kidnapped policemen. He expressed disappointment when the operation paid in vain. Next, being questioned by Deputy Lau and PR Phoenix Leung at headquarters, Lee defended himself furiously with offensive words. After the policemen had been rescued, Lee started to calm down for the first time and expressed his gratitude peacefully to Deputy Lau.Subtle emotions of characters played a prominent role in deduction. If Lee was part of the scheme, first, it came no sense for Lee to point the finger at Deputy Lau and Man To in the kick-off meeting such that Lau could gear up in advance mentally against the scheme targeting him. Furthermore, it would be totally meaningless for him to sigh to nobody at dockyard operation if it was all planned and managed under him. It would be over-skeptical to put forward the idea that Deputy Lee was acting throughout the entire motion picture. Not only would this storytelling be far too intricate for moviegoers to follow and digest, but it would also be incoherent with characters' sentiments. Also, the conspirator must have instructed S.D.U. Commander Michael Shek to wipe out those ex-operatives when an independent government authority ICAC steps in. However, if Lee, who cares for the well-being of front- line policeman, was the man behind, his primary motive must be gaining power or money for the betterment of remuneration of policemen and these ex-operatives whom Lee looked after upon the completion ND157. So it would be insane, contradictory and against his will to sell out his ex- subordinates together with numerous police casualties in the wipe-out mission.Indeed, the directors have already clarified that, under their storyline, Deputy Lee is not the ultimate puppet master behind the scheme. It is otherwise the unexposed one(s), who is even out of Lee's scope, as also pointed out by his son at last. On top of this, an interview with the directors by a Hong Kong media outlet has also alleged that Deputy Lau and Lee will work jointly in fighting against the ultimate boss in Cold War 2. The puzzle remains ambiguous for who is the mastermind. As this movie is partly brainstormed by the U.S. presidential election campaign, this godfather could possibly be a syndicate of some tycoons, in favor of candidate Lee, working for their own interest i.e. sales of arms, chaos or whatsoever. Therefore, any casualty inherited in this war is not their concern. Those dead ex-operatives are simply being manipulated as their foot soldiers. It is uncertain and guessed that Deputy Lee finally senses the involved parties after ICAC questions him about ND157. Later, when his son is about to take the gun, there is a subtle smile shown on Deputy Lee's face. It is because his highly intelligent son chooses correctly not to uncover the truth to the police in ambush so as to keep them both safe (His son might get killed like those ex-operatives?). Some interesting food for thought:1. The seemingly drunken driver intentionally provokes the Emergency Unit van in order to isolate it. This driving expert could be an overseas English-speaking hired gun who does not own Hong Kong Identity Card which leaves no trace. It is all planned. However, there is argument because the driver thinks he can leave after the stalling car accident is engineered, which is being cheated. M.Y. Shum the policewoman, whom the driver hands the phone to, may also take part in the scheme with limited knowledge. 2. By the directors, Senior Superintendent Vincent Tsui is not a mole. It can be deduced from the fact that Vincent Tsui warns Deputy Lau to run away when Tsui's car is about to hit Deputy Lau at highway. 3. Senior Superintendent Albert Kwong is believed to be clean as he does not know the ND157 ex-operatives are back. However, his appearances often seem suspicious.4. Man To the I.T. Chief Officer is believed to be a traitor. Otherwise Hong Kong Police Force is unreasonably and incredibly easy to be hacked. Still, because of his gratitude to Deputy Lau for his generosity to his department for development in past few years, he implies a few times that he is one of the rotten links. (Speculated)Cold War is a marvelous and necessary war to affirm Deputy Lau's capability. It is well written and well filmed. Yet, too little background information and a number of suspects while no clear clue turns this movie hard to digest.