And you thought the characters in Ron Howard's "Backdraft" (1992) were as one-dimensional as a piece of cardboard that (literally) went up in flames on screen. Still, there's something to be said about the cast of "Lifeline" who wade through real fires for the sake of entertainment not having the luxury of a computer generated overhaul (though some CGI is present). In a moment of sheer irony star Lau Ching-wan, having just finished battling a formidable blaze, removes his oxygen mask and smokes a cigarette. Unfortunately, that's as close as Johnnie To comes to insight in this lukewarm fire fighting drama.