Reviewed by: Inner Strength Date: 04/15/2002 Summary: Good Danny Lee in his usual Hong Kong cop role, but much better than he had done for years. This time he is back to back with the man, Michael Chow. This film is truely excellent, and very enjoyable. Worth the full 90 minutes of action for a start. Rating: [4/5] Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: mrblue Date: 04/11/2002 Summary: Good Danny Lee cop movie Asian Connection is yet another in the long line of films featuring Danny Lee as a cop. There have been some (such as The Killer) which can rightly be called classics of the genre, but too many times Danny Lee's efforts in these kinds of movies often go to waste as the film turns out to be just "another Danny Lee cop movie". Fortunately, even though the story here is by-the-book with several gaping plot holes, and it ultimately falls into some of the traps of the genre, Asian Connection manages to provide some good entertainment. The story here revolves around Danny and his partner Michael Chow. They are attempting to arrest a drug dealer, but fail miserably, as the dealer makes off with HK$5 million of the government's money. Their superior sends them to Taiwan on a fact-finding mission, but lo and behold they just happen to run into the dealer and the chase is on. Even though they blow a lot of stuff up and steal US$30 million to set up a drug sting, their boss in Taiwan (Chan Chung-Yung) is sympathetic for some reason and lets them continue, until they get to the bottom of an international drug ring. As I said before, Asian Connection has a pretty ordinary plot going for it, and the script supervisor didn't do much of a job in checking things from scene to scene. The action, done under the direction of Yuen Tak, is competent, but nothing overwhelming. However, Asian Connection is recommended if you're into cop movies because of the performances contained in it, especially Danny Lee's. It takes a lot for an actor that has done the same kind of role literally dozens of times to be able to pull off something new with a character, but Lee succeeds here. He displays his usual hard-ass tactics, but tinges them with a bit of humor that makes his portrayal seem more human. The supporting cast (especially Chan Chung-Yung) does a good job as well. The only actor who seemed not to fit was Jean Wang, who seems to be more of a "flower vase" (pretty face) than anything else. Even so, the acting in Asian Connection definitely puts it a step above many similar films. While nothing mind-blowing, Asian Connection shows that you can have a good cop action/drama without really heavy pyrotechnics or an overly convoluted script. It's recommended if you're a fan of the genre -- and even if you aren't, you might still get a few cheap thrills out of it. [review from www.hkfilm.net]

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy Date: 05/08/2001 Summary: Very underrated!! I really thought i had reviewed this movie already!! Anyway this movie may lack action, but the character development is excellent!! Micheal Chow's characters personality in this movie is funny!! All actors do a great job!! You really feel for the characters!! I will not say anymore but watch!! I don't think all of you will have the same opinion but this movie really moved me!! 8.5/10 Reviewer Score: 9

Reviewed by: jfierro Date: 12/21/1999 A really fun movie that starts out fast and keeps moving quickly right until the end. The strength of this movie is in the well-written characters and the great chemistry between Danny Lee, Michael Chow, and Chan Chung-Yung. Although the action scenes are limited, they are effective, and the movie manages to throw in lots of humor, suspense, and social subtext to keep things really interesting. Perhaps the best thing about this movie is the celebration of comraderie regardless of the individual cultures.

Reviewed by: spinali Date: 12/08/1999 Summary: NULL No nonsense cop Danny Lee is sent to Taiwan with his partner (Michael Chow) to investigate a South American drug connection; by chance, they find what they're looking for -- and crash so many cars that authorities want to send them back to HK. But they're too deep now; an improvised drug deal with the baddies force Chow to become a double-agent -- and now he needs $16 billion in HK dollars to preserve the deal (and his life). Has lots of nice touches, including a villain who uses a knife-gun, two explosions, and unbearably cute Jean Wong as window dressing passing for a cop. Like most Danny Lee flicks, it's a brisk, twisty ride from start to finish, with guns popping like firecrackers on Chinese New Year's. (3/4) [Reviewed by Steve Spinali] Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: hkcinema Date: 12/08/1999 Due to their bungling efforts against the drug-lords, HK inspectorsLee and Michael costed their department millions of dollars. Sent to Taiwan in disgrace, they vowed to redress their honour - and as luck has it - picked up a lead ... In many areas the story is an improvement on the standard HK cops-vs-triads genre. The three male leads did good jobs in their likable roles as competent but "ordinary" heroes. Jean Wong has a limited but watchable role as Chen's female subordinate. The film featured Cantonese/Mandarin synch-sound and fairly steady direction from the normally uneven David Lam and a remarkably professional script from "hack" writer Wong Ho-Wah. Good to see the effort and progress being made by some behind scene people whom I almost written off. Unfortunately, action director Yuen Tak fails to deliver anything substantial in the action scenes - which would've been the movie's selling point to most audience. (6.6/10) [Reviewed by Christopher Fu]

Reviewed by: hkcinema Date: 12/08/1999 Contemporary cops vs. triads movie, graced by a substantial story and generally strong characterisations - brought out by the actors, not the cookie-cutter direction. The few action scenes are unremarkable, except perhaps for one motor-scooter chase through the streets of Taipei. Yet again, we have a gweilo "actor" (?) who looks like a 1940s U.S. army recruit. [Reviewed by Iain Sinclair]