A solid piece of filmmaking by Director Johnny To follows afirefighting unit considered a jinxed hardluck outfit by the rest of the Department. Lau Ching-wan is Boss, a hardened veteran who does not share the Department's view that a fireman should let victims burn if the odds are against rescue. He is at odds with his new commander (Alex Fong Chung-sun), a "By-The-Book" officer and involved with a doctor (Carmen Lee), who is distraught over a recent break-up. Unlike BACKDRAFT, which was a uneven, melodramatic film depending more on fire effects than story, LIFELINE follows the unit's personal lives and compels the viewers to be involved with their stories. Ruby Wong Chui-mei is particularly good as a female firefighter at odds with her husband over her career and starting a family. Not to say that there isn't startling fire effects: The fire in the factory makes one imagine what Hell these firefighters put themselves through to save lives. The "escape" sequence is so tight and tense, it puts DAYLIGHT to shame. This is an excellent film and highly recommended.