Mainland filmmaker Cheng Si Yu is a regular when it comes to action movies showing on the local video streaming platforms. Starting with “The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” (2019), “Tai Chi Master” (2022) and “Desperado” (2024) starring Danny Chan. His latest online project, “Striking Rescue”, streaming on Youku, even comes with a bigger drawcard, featuring the Muay Thai warrior himself, Tony Jaa in the lead. Interestingly, this movie managed to get a cinema release in the US and Thailand.
Set in Jiati City, in the Palivina Republic, Bai An (Tony Jaa), a retired security veteran highly skilled in Muay Thai is on a deadly mission of seeking justice for the murder of his wife and young daughter. Upon learning that He Ying Hao (Philip Keung), a rich Chinese businessman might be responsible, he plans to kidnap He’s daughter Ting (Chen Duo Yi) first in order to get to her father.
It turns out that He’s company is actually a front for transporting drugs by a powerful local drug cartel headed by Long Tai (Xing Yu or Shi Yan Neng). Upon learning that Bai’s wife knows about the situation, Long sends out his thugs to silence her. Unfortunately her daughter also dies in the crossfire while Long frames Bai for their murders. Meanwhile, the police seize 20 million worth of drugs from Long which leads him to kidnap He in return for his loses. Bai instead saves Ting from Long’s thugs and the pair unwillingly team up to locate businessman He and taking down Long’s drug empire.
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Visuals wise, the production looks good with a nice combination of bright colorful outdoor shots and the nitty-gritty indoors. Judging from the looks of the buildings, the signage and the environment, the filmmakers probably shot it outside of Thailand. The main plot has a little twist at the end and there is a bit of drama, but otherwise this is a straightforward revenge tale. However, having Jaa’s character speak only in English while all the characters speak Chinese is rather strange and furthermore they all understand each other perfectly well.
Again, it is the action department that saves the day thanks mostly to Jaa, Xing Yu, action choreographer Guo Yu Long and the fearless stuntmen. Director Cheng sure likes and knows how to shoot martial arts films and having Jaa as the lead is another bonus. Guo’s action sequences are fluid and powerful at times especially those close up punches which look very painful indeed. Still this production moves at a good pace and does not look awkward even though the plot offers nothing original. The family drama element is a nice touch but in general, the characters could do with more backstories.
After his breakthrough internationally with “Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior” (2003), “Tom-Yum-Goong” (2005), titled as “The Protector” in the US and their sequels, Tony Jaa soon established himself as a global action icon. Jaa continued to appear in American action films like “Skin Trade” (2014), “Furious 7” and “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” (2017) but never as a leading man. That goes for his roles in Hong Kong’s “SPL II: A Time for Consequences” (2015), “Paradox” (2017) and “Mater Z: Ip Man Legacy” (2018) too.
Therefore, it is great to see him in a leading role which is tailor-made for him in “Striking Rescue” even though it is an online Chinese movie with limited budget. Jaa is approaching fifty so it would be unfair to expect him to do those fancy parkour moves or jumping through barb wire loops again. Nonetheless, he still has the power and rage as demonstrated in his fighting styles. His amazing elbow to the head and the knee to the chest blows are still a delight to watch. Yes, the man is back, less acrobatic perhaps but eager to break more bones with his deadly Muay Thai style.
The supporting cast is another plus since the villains are colorful and extremely mean and ready to kill. As the crime boss Long Tai, martial artist Xing Yu looks the part while chewing up the scenery. He looks cool smoking a big cigar and dressed to kill in suits, however we have to wait till the very end to see him in action. Wielding a pair of hatchets, his crazy right hand woman Meya, played by Wang Chen Xin is just a pure evil assassin. Looking like “Hammer girl” Julie Estelle from “The Raid 2”, she is so over the top but a delight to watch. As usual, Philip Keung lends a bit of class and authority to the mix as He Ying Hao, the wealthy businessman. Chen Duo Yi does a fairly good job as his rebellious daughter Ting.
It is a treat to see Tony Jaa back in action and break skulls again and credits to the Chinese filmmakers for casting him in the lead and letting him shine in “Striking Rescue”. The script needs improving, but the production and cinematography look professional nonetheless. However, the extremely well-designed fight sequences are the winners. Afterall, viewers are here to see Jaa breaking bones, something the movie truly delivers.
