This is the dark horse of the series. In the Line of Duty III is as bloody as any heroic bloodshed film of the era. With every good and bad guy seemingly double clutching everything from 9mm’s to Uzi’s in this film it’s almost a shock to the system from the opening Robbery to the very last frame. In fact, the opening moment is so reminiscent of The Matrix icon lobby shootout that you’ll swear that Lana and Lily Wachowski owe royalties to D & B Films for their complete rip-off of the scene.
The film is the introduction of Cynthia Khan not only as the new lead protagonist, following Michelle Yeoh, but her debut as an actress. Khan acquits herself amazingly well especially considering it’s her debut feature film. There isn’t the megastar gravitas that Michelle Yeoh brings on screen but there are few actors in any country and venue that have the pull of Yeoh.
The story of a Bonnie and Clyde-like criminal duo on a race against time is perfectly suited for the fast-moving series. In fact, the duo played by Stuart Ong and Michelle Nishiwaki are perfectly cast as the kinky couple that mixes business and pleasure. Khan is paired with screen legend Hiroshi Fujioka (of Kamen Rider fame) as the man after revenge when the Thieves kill his partner in cold blood.
Co-directors Arthur Wong and Brandy Yuen bring a beautiful sense of style and economy to the film. There’s a leanness to the way they approach not only the story/plot but the action. The action is impactful, bloody, and mean but always so quickly and smoothly edited to within an inch of its life you’re never quite sure of how bloody and mean it is in the moment. In the Line of Duty III definitely feels like it’s the Don Siegel-inspired film of the series. To which that is one of the highest compliments that anyone could pay a Police Procedural action series entry. Especially one as late as it is in the series.
The Transfer
The transfers for all four films are spectacular. The work done here is simply jaw-dropping. Researching the prior DVD editions of the titles leaves no comparison. The work here is literally night and day. The films look sharp without the expense of the grain structure, allowing it to retain the look of a 35mm print. The color reproduction is as close as one can get to the high dynamic range of a 4K without being 4K. 88 Films has gone above and beyond the line of duty to bring us these gorgeous transfers.
Note: yes, the pun was definitely 1000% intended.
The Extras
They include the following;
Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth
Interview with John Sham by Frederic Ambroisine
Hong Kong Trailer
English Trailers
English Credits
The Audio Commentary Frank Djeng is joined by Michael Worth which begins with a great introduction to Worth and setting the table including discussing the first film film in the series to use In the Line of Duty title. Some of the details include the many titles that the film goes by; the releases and the box office success of the film; a larger discussion of the life and career of Cynthia Khan – including a fascinating note about her once she got this part and having to get signed off by her parent in order to work; a discussion of the various injuries that she incurred during the production – which lead to her eventually a huge career in Yoga; a discussion of co-star Hiroshi Fujioka his career in Japan as the first Kamen Rider and more; Djeng’s preference of this film over everyone’s favorite Part IV; the continual use of the HK Airport and even the some of the same locations from Yes, Madam!; the work of co-director Arthur Wong – who is primarily known as a cinematographer; how Lethal Weapon influenced this and other films in HK at the time; a larger discussion about the action scenes and how they’re harder hitting as compared the first two films in the series; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more. Djeng has added backup which is fitting for this buddy cop action film. The track is entertaining and informative.
Interview with John Sham by Frederic Ambroisine (25:41) – opens with actor Sham discussing how he’s been in the industry for the last 40 years and where he is currently as an investor now after being a producer and actor in the early part of his career. The charming and delightful Sham deep dives into his varied, interesting career; his immigration to Hong Kong in 1978; how he formed D&B films with Sammo Hung; discovering Michelle Yeoh and eventually getting her to start in Yes, Madam!; and much more.
Hong Kong Trailer (3:12) – in Cantonese with English Subtitles.
English Trailer 1 (3:10)
English Trailer 2 (3:37)
English Credits (2:20) – the same credit sequence from the Cantonese version with English Language Credits for both Beginning and Ending Credits.
The Final Thought
88 Film has outdone themselves with the In the Line of Duty III single-disc release. Highest Possible Recommendations!!!
In the Line of Duty III is now available from 88 Films outside of their In the Line of Duty I – IV box set.
The Film
This is the dark horse of the series. In the Line of Duty III is as bloody as any heroic bloodshed film of the era. With every good and bad guy seemingly double clutching everything from 9mm’s to Uzi’s in this film it’s almost a shock to the system from the opening Robbery to the very last frame. In fact, the opening moment is so reminiscent of The Matrix icon lobby shootout that you’ll swear that Lana and Lily Wachowski owe royalties to D & B Films for their complete rip-off of the scene.
The film is the introduction of Cynthia Khan not only as the new lead protagonist, following Michelle Yeoh, but her debut as an actress. Khan acquits herself amazingly well especially considering it’s her debut feature film. There isn’t the megastar gravitas that Michelle Yeoh brings on screen but there are few actors in any country and venue that have the pull of Yeoh.
The story of a Bonnie and Clyde-like criminal duo on a race against time is perfectly suited for the fast-moving series. In fact, the duo played by Stuart Ong and Michelle Nishiwaki are perfectly cast as the kinky couple that mixes business and pleasure. Khan is paired with screen legend Hiroshi Fujioka (of Kamen Rider fame) as the man after revenge when the Thieves kill his partner in cold blood.
Co-directors Arthur Wong and Brandy Yuen bring a beautiful sense of style and economy to the film. There’s a leanness to the way they approach not only the story/plot but the action. The action is impactful, bloody, and mean but always so quickly and smoothly edited to within an inch of its life you’re never quite sure of how bloody and mean it is in the moment. In the Line of Duty III definitely feels like it’s the Don Siegel-inspired film of the series. To which that is one of the highest compliments that anyone could pay a Police Procedural action series entry. Especially one as late as it is in the series.
The Transfer
The transfers for all four films are spectacular. The work done here is simply jaw-dropping. Researching the prior DVD editions of the titles leaves no comparison. The work here is literally night and day. The films look sharp without the expense of the grain structure, allowing it to retain the look of a 35mm print. The color reproduction is as close as one can get to the high dynamic range of a 4K without being 4K. 88 Films has gone above and beyond the line of duty to bring us these gorgeous transfers.
Note: yes, the pun was definitely 1000% intended.
The Extras
They include the following;
The Audio Commentary Frank Djeng is joined by Michael Worth which begins with a great introduction to Worth and setting the table including discussing the first film film in the series to use In the Line of Duty title. Some of the details include the many titles that the film goes by; the releases and the box office success of the film; a larger discussion of the life and career of Cynthia Khan – including a fascinating note about her once she got this part and having to get signed off by her parent in order to work; a discussion of the various injuries that she incurred during the production – which lead to her eventually a huge career in Yoga; a discussion of co-star Hiroshi Fujioka his career in Japan as the first Kamen Rider and more; Djeng’s preference of this film over everyone’s favorite Part IV; the continual use of the HK Airport and even the some of the same locations from Yes, Madam!; the work of co-director Arthur Wong – who is primarily known as a cinematographer; how Lethal Weapon influenced this and other films in HK at the time; a larger discussion about the action scenes and how they’re harder hitting as compared the first two films in the series; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more. Djeng has added backup which is fitting for this buddy cop action film. The track is entertaining and informative.
Interview with John Sham by Frederic Ambroisine (25:41) – opens with actor Sham discussing how he’s been in the industry for the last 40 years and where he is currently as an investor now after being a producer and actor in the early part of his career. The charming and delightful Sham deep dives into his varied, interesting career; his immigration to Hong Kong in 1978; how he formed D&B films with Sammo Hung; discovering Michelle Yeoh and eventually getting her to start in Yes, Madam!; and much more.
Hong Kong Trailer (3:12) – in Cantonese with English Subtitles.
English Trailer 1 (3:10)
English Trailer 2 (3:37)
English Credits (2:20) – the same credit sequence from the Cantonese version with English Language Credits for both Beginning and Ending Credits.
The Final Thought
88 Film has outdone themselves with the In the Line of Duty III single-disc release. Highest Possible Recommendations!!!
88 Films’ Blu-Ray edition of In the Line of Duty III is out on August 13th
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