WFG RATING: A+

Media Asia Film presents a Sil-Metropole Organisation/Entertaining Power/Lian Ray Pictures/HG Entertainment/One Cool Pictures production. Directed by Soi Cheang. Produced by John Chong and Wilson Yip. Written by Au Kin-Yee, Chan Tai-Lee, Jun Li, and Shum Kwan-Sin; based on the comic book “Walled In” by Yu Yi. Cinematography by Cheng Siu-Keung. Edited by Cheung Ka-Fai.

Stars Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Sammo Hung, Philip Ng, Lau Chun-Him, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Wong Tak-Bun, and Richie Jen.

Soi Cheang, the director of SPL 2: A Time of Consequences, returns with this amazing meshing of frenetic action and drama.

In the late 1970s, a refugee, Chan Lok-Kwun, arrived in Hong Kong. With no money and nowhere to go, he attempts to make money fighting. Attracting the attention of local Triad boss Mr. Big, Lok is offered to join him but all he wants is to get his ID card. When Mr. Big makes and later reneges on the promise of an ID card, a desperate Lok grabs a bag and is chased by Mr. Big’s men, led by the loudmouth King. Lok ends up in the Walled City and learns the bag has drugs and not money. Narrowly saved by Walled City boss Cyclone, Lok is at first told to leave but Cyclone sees potential and takes the young man in. 

As Lok slowly begins to meet and bond with the people within the Walled City, he learns Cyclone has paid the debt off to Mr. Big and in return, Lok finds himself as part of Cyclone’s group, which includes right-hand man Shin, disfigured medical expert AV, and Twelfth Master, a fighter working for Cyclone’s sworn brother Tiger. When landlord Chun, who has a grudge against the last Walled City boss’ top killer Jim, discovers that Jim had a son, he realizes who the son is and it leads to once strong bonds at risk of breaking. When Mr. Big gets involved, the Walled City now has become a total warzone. Who will come out on top?

Hong Kong cinema is slowly coming back from the looks of things. 2021’s Raging Fire, the final film from Benny Chan, was just the beginning of this brand of action returning to top form and this latest film from Soi Cheang (SPL 2, Dog Eat Dog) looks to be the stamp Hong Kong cinema needs. This is an amazing blend of gangster drama mixed with some excellent action scenes and once you get into the story, it doesn’t feel like it’s over 2 hours, which the film runs.

Louis Koo is great as Cyclone, the Walled City gag boss who also is the local barbershop within the area who has a heart of gold. He acts all tough when he needs to be, but also shows he cares about the people in the shantytown like area. This is evident when he takes in refugee Lok, played by a terrific Raymond Lam. We see Lok learn not just about how the Walled City works after narrowly escaping and fighting his way through, but getting to know and bond with its residents. Eventually, he feels at home for the first time in years after his mother’s passing. 

Sammo Hung is excellent as Mr. Big along with Richie Jen as Chau, Cyclone’s sworn brother who starts off as a nice guy but has a hidden agenda under the surface involving vengeance. Aaron Kwok makes the most of his screen time as Jim, the former Walled City boss’ number one assassin who shockingly was once friends with Cyclone. Philip Ng goes a bit over the top as King, Big’s right-hand man, who has a bit of a trick up his sleeve when it comes to his fighting style.

And speaking of action, the film’s action sequences are enjoyable, combining a brutal style of fighting on the streets and the over-the-top 90s Hong Kong style and Japanese anime style of screen fighting. And who better to serve as the film’s action choreographer than Kenji Tanigaki, member of Donnie Yen’s stunt team and the action wizard behind the awesome Rurouni Kenshin film franchise. We get to see Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, and Raymond Lam throw down along with Philip Ng, whose over-the-top character of King has a specific style seen usually in kung fu films. This alone pays homage of the 1970s era to coincide with the setting. 

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a seamless meshing of action and drama thanks in part to the excellent ensemble cast and old school setting and style. 

The film is now playing in film festivals with an October 2024 release set by Well Go USA Home Entertainment.