Darkside of Chinatown (1989)
Reviewed by: Frank Lakatos on 2005-09-29
Summary: this movie is actually a US/HK coproduction........
Not many people are aware of this, but this movie is actually a US/HK coproduction, and there are two versions of this movie, one the US version released on a cheap DVD label titled Massacre(1985) aka Border of Tong by director Michael Chu, and the HK version titled Darkside of Chinatown(1986), has footage reshot a year later with director Brandy Yuen. Massacre(1985) doesn't have Lam Wai, Hwang Jang Lee, Guk Fung or any of the HK actors, except for Daniel Hung Tang, or have any quality martial arts action, as the story revolves around cop David Heavener, who was also executive producer of this movie, tries to find Hung Tang in Seattle, Washington and Toronto, Canada. In the HK Darkside of Chinatown(1986) version, Hung Tang escapes to Hong Kong with uncle Lam Wai and must face his father Kenneth Tsang, in intensly emotional scenes, as Hung Tang emigrates back to Canada. Both movies a well made dramas, but the HK version has an all star quality cast, and therefore, better scenes. Hwang Jang Lee's scenes are brief, but it his presence with Guk Fung and the entire cast that make the HK version worth watching. Don't expect an 80's kickboxing movie, but with Lam Wai in the lead, this is an effective triad drama. In the US version, the stylish Joseph O'Melia is not to be missed as Police Captain Boxberger with his classy lip lisps! Ooh, ow! Eddie Chavira, the saxman who does the solos in the US version and the alternate solos for the HK version, had his effective alternate solo for the HK version recycled for many low budgeted triad movie after this movie. *1/2 for the US version/*** for the HK version/*****