During his early career, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan, actor and Jeet Kune Do practitioner portrayed Bruce Lee in the 50-episode TV series “The Legend of Bruce Lee” (2008) due to his resemblance to him. After his portrayal of the Bruce Lee look-alike goalkeeper in Stephen Chow's “Shaolin Soccer” he became more popular which led him to further playing Lee in the “Ip Man” film series. However, in “Desperado” or “Thug in a Suit” as translated from its Chinese title, he finally has the chance to shine as a leading man.
Set in Taicheng, a made up city somewhere in Southeast Asia, most likely Thailand or Cambodia, this online iQIYI film kicks off with a great action set piece in which the thug in a suit, Zhao Ke, comes to a butchery warehouse alone to rescue his sworn brother Barno. The warehouse is actually a front for drug smuggling and a trap to lure him in. Anyway, after a fierce and bloody showdown with the gangsters, the police force arrives and arrest Zhao while the badly injured Barno makes his escape. Nine years later, after his release from prison, he reappears as a street clown and goes by the name of Li Fei.
In the meantime, the remaining criminals from the warehouse have become even more powerful under the leadership of a new boss named R. Meanwhile, Barno has become a politician and before long, the two meet up but Zhao wants nothing to do with him. Besides, he seems to be too preoccupied as the self appointed guardian of Ling Ling, a local policeman's young daughter while her father is away on a mission. Dressed as a clown, he now hangs outside her school and protects her from the criminals who are after a USB flash drive hidden in her teddy bear which contains information that will put them away for good. On top of that, he has to take revenge on the people responsible for the death of his wife and daughter.
Firstly, loaded with extremely well choreographed and impressive fight sequences, Cheng Si Yi's film is indeed enjoyable to watch. Then there are the eye-catching and beautiful visuals bathed in bright primary colors which contribute to the rich overall look of the production. Of course having the charismatic Danny Chan Kwok Kwan in the lead is definitely a bonus and he really shines, especially in the action department. His movements and smooth pacing are a delight to watch. Furthermore, he is equally capable in those quiet moments when required to show his emotions. It is refreshing to see him branch out into playing a different character instead of Bruce Lee.
On the down side, action director You Gao Feng's two action sequences that bookend the film are very similar to the ones seen in most South Korean gangster films and the recent John Wick film series. However, the other action set pieces in between are more in the style of Jackie Chan in which Zhao turns a taxi's doors, home appliances like a fridge, chairs and so on into makeshift weapons to use against his attackers. A contrast to the more intense and brutal warehouse encounters, these lighter and comedic scenarios are equally engrossing and beautifully shot. Unfortunately, the heavily recycled storyline offers absolutely nothing original or surprising.
Mainland actor and martial artist Xing Yu or Shi Yan Neng who portrays the sneaky villain Barno is right at home in a role he has done many times before and his end fight with Chan is too brief and seems too rushed. The child actress Wang Bao Tong who plays Xue Ling, the adopted daughter of the police officer is quite natural and thankfully not annoying or overly cute. Professional yoga, taekwondo instructor and actress Miya Muqi turns up as a lady cop who gives desperado Zhao a hard time, besides looking great in her tight outfits. Also by setting the film in a foreign city with the police dressed in different uniforms and speaking in foreign language, the filmmakers are able to avoid the strict censorship even though they portray the police as being clumsy and incompetent at times.
Overall, “Desperado” is a fun and entertaining online action film which looks great visually, moves at a good pace and does not take itself too seriously. Apart from the thinly written characters and the weak plotline, it still works as an all out action film. Lastly, it looks like the filmmakers and the actors are having a great time making it.
