Known for co-directing “The Big Heat” (1988) with Johnnie To, unsung Hong Kong filmmaker Andrew Kam Yeung Wa also worked as the 2nd Unit director for “Peking Opera Blues” (1986) and “A Better Tomorrow III” (1989). But with “Fatal Termination”, a simple revenge-driven action thriller, he manages to bring it to an intensely merciless level during the film’s last half hour climax.
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The simple plot concerns a big batch of weapons flown into Hong Kong. However, arms dealer Ko Mok Fu (Philip Ko) hijacks it after colluding with the corrupted Customs Chief, Wai Loong (Robin Shou). Inspector Lee (Simon Yam), who is investigating the case, believes that customs officer Miu (Michael Miu Kiu Wai) is responsible since the weapons disappeared under his watch. Before long, Miu, his sister Moon (Moon Lee Choi Fung) and her police husband John (Ray Lui) all become Lee’s prime suspects.
Fired from his job because of that, Miu carries on the investigation regardless, which results in his death. Meanwhile, the concerned John and Moon are actually just bystanders. The loss of her brother and the kidnapping of their young daughter Yan Yan (Chan Cheuk Yan) by Ko, thinking that they have confiscated his weapons, eventually push them to take further action and revenge. This leads to a relentless explosive gun action finale in which everything goes. Before that, the jaw-dropping kidnapping scene alone is a tour-de-force of Hong Kong action film stunts that will leave the audience awestruck.
Judging by the posters which mostly feature Moon Lee holding heavy weapons, one would think that this is another “Girls with Guns” film. In fact, she only swings into full blown action during the last third. During the first hour, the plot takes its time introducing its multiple colorful characters. The youthful Lee looks fantastic wielding those big guns while spotting beautiful hair. She is good during those emotional moments too. Unfortunately, her only hand-to-hand fight with Philip Ko which shows off her kicking skills, is too brief.
On the other hand, child actor Chan Cheuk Yan who plays her daughter Yan Yan is such a fearless and brave soul. Imagining what she has to endure doing that dangerous stunt, grabbed by the hair and dangled outside a fast moving car. In addition, the title of the greatest stunt person of all time should go to her. According to the stunt director Ridley Tsui, they put her in a harness and hang her outside the car on a prop frame arm with wire while shooting that shocking stunt. On top of that, Moon Lee was on top of the bonnet while Chan’s parents were there watching the whole shoot.
As usual, the charismatic Simon Yam is right at home portraying the hot-headed Inspector Lee, a self-assured character who refuses to see the whole picture at times. Ray Liu who plays policeman John and Moon’s husband has nothing much to do until the end when he goes all out with his wife to avenge their daughter. Michael Miu has a small but memorable role as the honest customs officer Miu and Moon’s brother.
Philip Ko plays the ruthless arms dealer Ko and has the most screen time. However, his short but well choreographed fight with Moon is definitely the film’s highlight. Elsewhere, Robin Chou who would star in “Mortal Kombat” (1995) is just as mean as the corrupt and greedy customs chief. Interestingly, he has a brief scene with Ko in a sauna in which they show off their well crafted and muscular bodies. But we miss out on the chance to see him in a fight with Moon or Ko.
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Designed by Ridley Tsui and Paul Wong Kwan, Kam’s action sequences, which focus mainly on shootouts rather than martial arts fights, are not as stylish or fluid as compared to John Woo or Johnnie To. Still, he has a way of making his lead characters look rather cool and imposing by shooting them from a low angle and having them wearing shades and smoking cigarettes. He sure goes overboard with crazy stunts and throws everything in during the explosive finale where he puts machine guns, grenades, rocket launchers, helicopters and even cars into great use.
“Fatal Termination” is a product of the excess and crazy style of Hong Kong filmmaking of the late 80s. It has lots of crazy and over-the-top gun shootouts and bloody body counts. However, the infamous child kidnapping scene is undeniably notorious and bordering child abuse which probably will put some viewers off. For those interested, it is also accessible on Blu-ray, fully restored and looks great.
