When it comes to big-budget productions made in Hong Kong, few could hold a candle to director Benny Chan whose resume includes such titles like “Rob-B-Hood”, “New Police Story” and “Raging Fire”, his last work before his death. As he was approached to do a remake of David R. Ellis' action-thriller “Cellular”, Chan did not have to think twice about the proposition since it gave him the chance to put the original premise within the Hong Kong culture, and therefore making his version much more than a mere copy as you might assume as first glance. “Connected”, which is currently streaming on Netflix, includes the ingredients typical for the kind of action thriller Chan is known for, as well as some impressive stunt work and great performances, especially leading man Louis Koo playing an unlikely hero.
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So far it has been a pretty busy day for Bob (Louis Koo), a debt collector, who, after leaving from his last job, has to be at the airport before his son Kit-kit flies to Australia. Given the nature of his job, he had not spent too much time with his son lately and broke a lot of promises, making keeping this one especially important to him. However, as he is phoned by a person he initially thinks is a prank caller, Bob becomes part of a kidnapping situation and the only hope for engineer Grace Wong (Barbie Hsu), who has been taken by a group of thugs searching for her younger brother for some reason, and have threatened her as well as her daughter.
Realising the situation is anything but a joke, Bob decides to help the woman. After contacting a police officer, former inspector Yu Chan-fai (Nick Cheung), is on his own and only has a few hours left before his son leaves. At the same time he has to stay on his cell, trying to beat the kidnappers in finding Grace's friends and relatives, and possibly saving people from certain death. As he slowly uncovers why Grace has been taken, he begins to understand the danger he is in and that the people behind the crime will not hesitate to kill him either.
For those familiar with the original, the fast-paced action the story has in store should come as no surprise. However, even though you may know the eventual outcome of the movie, Chan manages to implement a few changes, making his version a fresh take on these characters and themes. One of the most obvious, but nevertheless important aspects is the new setting, with the city of Hong Kong giving off its unique vibe and flair, its hectic air of constantly being busy and people always hurrying where they have to go. Apart from the downtown area, “Connected” also manages to show the outskirts and the more suburban areas of the metropolis, emphasizing the kind of journey the characters go through, especially Bob. Anthony Pun's cinematography in combination with Yau Chi-wai's editing complement the idea of the various facets of the city as well as the development of a character, who, to use his words, needs to see something through to the end, rather than giving up half-way through.
However, what makes “Connected” at the very least just as good as its Hollywood counterpart is the cast, with Louis Koo clearly taking center stage in that regard. With the script changing this part from what originally was a slacker/loser into a man who does not get involved, Bob becomes a much more interesting character. He is at the same time much more common in this new setting, which Chan has often emphasized in interviews about the project, with Koo highlighting the aforementioned journey of a man who needs to make quick decisions which may result in tragic consequences for himself or the person he is on the phone with. Additionally, Nick Cheung also has some memorable moments, with one fight scene especially standing out.
In the end, “Connected” is clearly an improvement over the original feature. Benny Chan knows his setting and characters and tells an action-packed and thrilling story which is quite entertaining and well-executed.
