Roy Cheung Movies
Fulltime Killer and Mad Detective director Johnny To shifts gears from the usual action fare for his forty-eight feature film, a romantic fantasy about a student athlete who won't let death keep him from the woman he loves. Dong (Taiwanese pop singer Vic Zhou) was a handsome student athlete who suddenly lost his life while playfully chasing a car driven by pretty coed Yan (Li Bingbing). Three years later, Yan is a rising law clerk defending a brash young client who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late love Dong. As Yan findsw her memories drifting back to the time days before Dong's death, grief begins to take hold and the spirit of the deceased athlete returns to accomplish some unfinished business. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Cheung, Li Bingbing, (more)
Sent away to rural Taiwan after entering into a forbidden affair with the daughter of his father's most dangerous rival, the musically gifted son of a powerful Triad boss experiences a newfound sense of balance in life upon entering into an apprenticeship with a Zen drumming troupe. Sid Kwan is a reckless musician who threatens to rock the entire underworld when he makes love to the beautiful Carmen. Carmen is the daughter of Stephen Ma, perhaps the most notorious Triad leader in the Hong Kong underworld. Should Carmen's father find out about the clandestine affair, the streets would likely be ablaze with gunfire, and Sid would certainly be the first to fall. Hoping that his son's life will be spared if he is out of sight, Sid's father sends the restless boy to lie low in rural Taiwan. Shortly after his arrival, Sid stumbles across a Zen drumming troupe who live and play together deep in the forest. Their passion and athleticism instantly mesmerizing to the entranced newcomer, Sid immediately asks if he might become a part of the unique community. While Sid's apprenticeship is at first straining, the clarity that he experiences after ingratiating himself to the community helps him make sense of the chaos that nearly consumed him back in Hong Kong and discover the peace that comes from owning up to his father's dark legacy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jaycee Chan, Tony Leung Kar-Fai, (more)
Acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Johnny To returns to the characters of his international success The Mission (aka Chueng Fo) with this action-packed thriller. It's 1998, and the Portuguese colony of Macau, a city along the Southern coast of China, is about to be handed over to Chinese authorities under a long-standing agreement. As the people of Macau ponder how their new leaders will deal with the criminal underground that's long been part of the city's support system, a pair of hit men from Hong Kong arrive in town to execute a gangster who has turned his back on the syndicate to make a new life for his wife and children. While the Chinese syndicate want to be sure he doesn't share anything he learned while in their employ, two strong-arm men also arrive in Macau, determined to see to the former gangster's safety. Starring Nick Cheung, Simon Yam and Francis Ng, Exiled received its world premiere at the 2006 Venice Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, (more)
The prequel to Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's smash hit Infernal Affairs opens in 1991, with Inspector Wong (Anthony Wong) explaining the frustrations of police work to gangster Sam (Eric Tsang). He also expresses his desire to see the seemingly reasonable Sam take over he reins of the local triad from the current boss. When that boss is murdered, with no apparent heir, it seems that Hong Kong is going to explode in an all-out gang war. But the boss' bespectacled, soft-spoken, and well-mannered son, Hau (Francis Ng), unexpectedly takes charge, calmly and cleverly defusing the situation. Meanwhile, Yan (Shawn Yu, reprising his role as the younger version of Tony Leung's character in the first Infernal Affairs) is thrown out of the police academy for breaking the rules, and it's discovered that he's Hau's half-brother. Wong recruits him to work undercover in Hau's organization. Ming (Edison Chen playing the younger Andy Lau) is a corrupt cop secretly working for Sam. His progress up the ranks of the police force is swift, but his relationship with Sam is threatened when he finds himself falling in love with Sam's girlfriend, Mary (Carina Lau). For his part, as the handover of Hong Kong to China approaches, Hau plots to become involved in "legitimate" politics, and to avenge himself against those he believes responsible for his father's death. Chapman To reprises his role as the goofy Keung. Infernal Affairs II was selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center for inclusion in the 2004 New York Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, (more)
In this action-comedy, which pokes fun at the conventions of Hong Kong crime movies while following them at the same time, Tony Leung Kar-Fai plays Jim Yam, an underworld kingpin whose days in the Mob appear to be numbered after he narrowly escapes an attempt on his life. Deciding he'd rather be the hunter than the prey, Jim sets out to wipe out his enemies before they can wipe out him, though it turns out to be more complicated than he imagined. Gongwu Gogap also stars Sandra Ng as Jim's wife, with their sometimes-stormy relationship providing a subplot. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Leung Kar-Fai, Sandra Ng, (more)
Slow Fade is one man's journey to his personal hell and back again. In a nameless city and an unspecified time, Fin (Ken Wong) hits an emotional low when his wife is killed in a car accident. He goes on a binge of self-destruction with heroin. He is salvaged by a young prostitute, Kim Josie Ho whom he meets at the detoxification clinic. Through Kim's eyes, we see Fin's efforts to leave the underworld for the sake of his wife before she died. His best friend Alex (Jimmy Wong), who got him into the crime circuit in the first place, won't let him go. Fin tries to find redemption by helping Kim leave his boss, Chan (Roy Cheung), which sets off a series of betrayals and double crosses that end tragically. The film explores the connections between circumstance and destiny, friendship and betrayal. The director pursues experimental methods of dramatic structure and cinematography while employing modern visual technology such as "cross-processing" -- developing positive film as negative -- to enhance the non-linear narrative which gives the film a special look and feel. Slow Fade was screened as part of the International Forum of New Cinema section of the 49th Berlin Film Festival, 1999. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Wong, Jimmy Wong, (more)
Veteran Hong Kong director Johnnie To spins this wild, kinetic crime thriller. Following a failed assassination attempt on his life, crime boss Lung (Ko Hung), instructs his henchman Frank (Simon Yam) to find the villain behind the plot. Frank soon hires a quintet of hired guns to guard the boss, including the laconic Curtis (Anthony Wong), the flinty Roy (Francis Ng) and his protégé Shin (Jackie Lui), the haggard Mike (Roy Cheung), and firearms expert and peanut enthusiast James (Lam Suet). The group manages to thwart three attempts on the old man's life -- one from a sniper, a second in a shopping mall, and the third in an old warehouse -- until they figure out that rival crime boss Fat Chung (Wong Tin-lan) had order the hit. This film was screened at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, (more)
Gordon Chan directed this Hong Kong action drama about Kowloon cop Tung (Anthony Wong). Addicted to gambling, Tung takes an occasional bribe. He shows his new partner, American-born Michael Cheung (Michael Fitzgerald Wong), aka "The King of Killers," the usual neighborhood routines. The duo deals with triad trickery after gang leader Big Brother (Roy Cheung) leaves town. Mike meets Yoyo (Kathy Chau), one of the women Big Brother kept on a string. Left dangling after Big Brother's departure, Yoyo begins a relationship with Mike. Shown at the 1998 Hong Kong Film Festival and in the Market section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Wong, Anthony Wong, (more)
Cinematographer Andrew Lau directed this Hong Kong martial arts fantasy from a Manfred Wong screenplay. Wong based his script on a Chau Ting screenplay adapted from the long-running manga by Ma Wing-shing. Martial arts ruler Lord Conqueror (Sonny Chiba) adopts two youngsters as disciples, and a decade later, the two -- Wind (Ekin Cheng) and Cloud (Aaron Kwok) -- are rivals for the affections of the Lord Conqueror's daughter Charity (Kristy Yang). When they duel, Charity is accidentally killed, and Cloud loses an arm. Muse (Shu Qi) takes care of Cloud, and her father gives Cloud his own arm for future fights. Wind seeks some magical stones, needed to help him in his duel with the Sword Saint (Anthony Wong). Filming began May 1997 in China's Sichuan province with CGI effects added by Hong Kong's post-production house Centro, co-producers of the film. This manga has been serialized since 1989, but only the first third has been adapted here. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, (more)
This sequel, released only four months after the first film, takes place during a 12-hour period when a pimp (Francis Ng), a punk (Roy Cheung), and anti-triad bureau cop (Cheung Tat-ming) get involved in the battle between opposing gangs (including shots showing the arrival of real Hong Kong police). The title translates as "Go! Top Dog Army." Shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Francis Ng, Roy Cheung, (more)
Andrew Lau Wai-keung spins this third installment of the popular Young and Dangerous series to hit the theaters in a year. The film opens with the hero Ho-nam (Dior Cheng Yee-kin) run afoul of Crow (Roy Chueng Yiu-yeung), the psychotic henchmen of Tung Sing clan boss Camel Lok (Michael Chan Wai-man). When Tung Sing opens a club next to a bar run by Ho-nam's Hung Hing group, trouble soon ensues. While in Europe, Hung Hing boss Chiang (Simon Yam Tat-wah) gets whacked and Ho-nam gets blamed for the death. Meanwhile, Crow kills his boss and uses the funeral to kill anyone who might challenge his claim to power. Meanwhile, Ho-nam's friend, Chicken (Jordan Chan Siu-chun), is allowed to return to Hung Hing after a prolonged stint in Taiwan; Ho-nam's girlfriend, Smartie (Gigi Lai Chi), who was sent into a coma during the first movie, regains consciousness; and Chicken falls in love with foul-mouthed lass Shuk-fan (Karen Mok). ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
A young man learns that Triad life isn't all it's cracked up to be in this stark crime drama from director Wilson Yip. Working in a small cafe, Sai Yau makes the acquaintance of local crime boss Brother Ching. Yau longs to move into the fold, and it isn't ling before Brother Ching accepts him into his gang. Yau soon falls for Brother Ching's girlfriend, and when Brother Ching is killed by rival gangster Dragon Yau takes revenge to disastrous results. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
This Hong Kong action film from director Andrew Lau details the activities of a Special Duty Unit (SDU, the local equivalent of a SWAT team) and was designed to capitalize on the success of Gordon Chan's 1994 blockbuster The Final Option. Indeed, the film's Chinese title positions it as a direct sequel, although it is entirely unrelated. The film begins as some gun-toting arms dealers lay waste to a SDU, necessitating a number of new recruits to be put through the grueling two-week training regimen commanded by Eagle (Roy Cheung). Much of the film focuses on Tung Tung (Daniel Chan), who was on police patrol but signed up for a SDU after his partner was viciously murdered by a Vietnamese hitman. Julian Cheung co-stars as Coolman, another recruit who bears a special animosity toward Tung Tung, the secret reason for which is revealed to him by his parents. The first half of the film concentrates on the training period, with the new SDU team members getting a chance to apply what they learned in the rousing second half, in which they are sent to a desert island for three days, during which they encounter some sadistic Vietnamese arms dealers. Naturally, among their number is the man who killed Tung Tung's partner, allowing him a chance for revenge. Dion Lam choreographed the impressive action sequences, and while the film has been criticized for its portrayal of Vietnamese detainees held in camps, it is at least bold enough to tackle the subject. Karen Mok co-stars with Jerry Lam and Chu Win-tong, while Asian action devotees will recognize Herman Yau and Blackie Ko in smaller roles. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Stephen Chow's prodigious skills with guns and martial arts take center stage once again in this successful action film from Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan. Chow stars as Star Chow, a cop who plays by his own rules, often endangering the other members of his team as well as the success of their missions. When a practice drill goes awry, Star is punished by the commissioner (Barry Wong) by being reassigned as an undercover agent at the local high school, his task being to locate the student who stole the commissioner's favorite gun. Naturally, there's a beautiful guidance counselor (Sharla Cheung) to provide some romantic interest, and -- just as naturally -- things take a downward turn when she discovers Star's true identity. In the meantime, Star locates the commissioner's gun, as well as a cache of stolen arms belonging to a triad gangster. The entire situation comes to a head during the school's open house, with a specially constructed maze serving as the backdrop for the final gun battle. Filled with action and humor, the film's success led to a pair of even more entertaining sequels. Ng Man-tat co-stars with Roy Cheung, Gabriel Wong, and Paul Chun. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, (more)
Action flick auteur Ringo Lam directs this crime thriller loosely based on Peter Weir's 1985 classic Witness. Lau (Chow Yun-fat), along with his partner, Nam (Tommy Wong Kwang-leung), are investigating a band of gun runners when they get caught in a shoot out that kills their lead suspect and leaves the suspect's three-yea-old daughter Ka-ka parentless. Lau eventually tracks down the child's family in a remote country farm in Hong Kong's New Territories run by Cher (Cherie Cheung Cho-hung). Though initially the two loath each other, soon they start to warm to one another. Cher tells him that Ka-ka is the illegitimate child of crime boss Hung (Paul Chun Pui). When Lau confronts Hung, the cop promptly gets his clock cleaned and psychotic Vietnamese gangster Bullet (Roy Cheung Yiu-yueng) is sent out to whack him. Bullet's first attempt goes poorly, resulting in a trashed bar and a wounded hit man. Bullet vows bloody revenge. Meanwhile, Cher's thuggish husband Leong returns from mainland China about the same time that Bullet is about to stage a second attack. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chow Yun-Fat, Cherie Chung, (more)
This tense Hong Kong crime thriller is known best as the film upon which Quentin Tarantino borrowed heavily for his 1992 debut, Reservoir Dogs. Those who criticized the American director for lack of originality have perhaps missed the point. In the highly commercialized, formulaic crime genre of Hong Kong, very few thrillers are truly original, and innovation comes in the form of style, action choreography, and dramatic tension. City on Fire, directed by Ringo Lam, is no exception. The story, told in a more traditional narrative form than Reservoir Dogs, follows Chow Yun-Fat as Ko Chow, an undercover cop who infiltrates a ring of jewel thieves. When a heist goes wrong, Chow is wounded, and tension among the robbers escalates as they begin to suspect a traitor among their ranks. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chow Yun-Fat, Sun Yueh, (more)
Ringo Lam delivers this two-fisted gritty thriller written by his brother Nam Yin. Timid Lo Ka-yiu (Tony Leung Kar-fai) is thrown in the clink for a three-year stint after being convicted of manslaughter. Possessing none of the requisite instincts to survive in a maximum-security prison, Lo looks like he's going to be easy prey. Yet before you can say, "You dropped the soap," he befriends Chung (Chow Yun-fat) a charismatic con who has charmed every prison guard except security chief Hung (Roy Cheung), a psychotic whose brutalized visage inspired the moniker "Scarface." When Lo snitches on crime boss Micky, the don conspires with Scarface to rub out weedy stool pigeon. When Chung stands up for Lo and tells the warden of Scarface's nefarious acts, Micky gets transferred to another prison and Hung vows revenge. Later, Micky and Scarface frame Chung for a prison protest. Pushed to his psychological limits after days of torture, Chung soon is out for blood. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Kar-Fai, (more)


























