Daniel Wu
- 2008
Award-winning martial arts director Stanley Tong (Rumble in the Bronx, Supercop) joins forces with director Anthony Szeto to deliver this computer animated martial arts adventure for the entire family. A fantastical version of the Chinese ancient Middle Kingdom, Dragonblade: The Beginning traces the adventures of an adolescent martial arts enthusiast named Lang. Lang dreams of one day coming into possession of the legendary Dragon Blade sword, a mythical weapon of supreme power that can only be wielded by one who is noble in spirit and pure at heart. When a powerful monster appears to threaten the people of Lang's village, however, the heroic teen realizes his only hope of saving the day is to track down the Dragon Blade - and fast. Perhaps with a little help from a plucky fairy bird named Bali-Ba, Lang will finally be able to realize his dream of tracking down the elusive sword and unleashing his inner hero. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Three best friends who are barely getting by as fishermen in the small village of Zhujiajiao depart to seek their fate in Shanghai in director Alexi Tan's reworking of the John Woo action classic Bullet in the Head. Feeling trapped by circumstance in the only place they have ever known, Kang, his brother Hu, and their best friend Fung decide to take their fate into their own hands by moving to Shanghai. Upon arriving in the bustling city, the naïve trio gradually finds their innocence corrupted as they fall into the deepest depths of the criminal underworld. The starting point for their harrowing descent is the infamous Paradise Club: the most popular - and dangerous - nightclub in all of Shanghai. In the Paradise Club, Lulu is the songbird that every man wants to capture, yet she remains locked securely in the cage of owner and underworld crime kingpin Boss Hong - or so he thinks. Because when the stage lights go down and the big guy isn't around, his right hand man Mark starts making the moves on Lulu. Of course Lulu is no innocent either, and as this pair conduct their dangerous affair both enemies and allies alike begin plotting a way to wrestle control of the city from the ruthless Boss Hong. As the tense situation between Boss Hong and his many conspirators begins to boil over, Kang, Hu, and Fung make a desperate grab for power that quickly pays off. But success in Shanghai doesn't come cheap. With their power nearly cemented in the land of plenty, Fung will be forced to choose between love and a life of crime while wrestling with his troublesome conscience, Hu will enter into a monumental struggle against his own inner weakness, and power-hungry Kang will allow nothing to prevent him from realizing his own ambitions. Now, as lives hang in the balance and blood begins to flow, the chance for redemption fades with each passing day. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
A 21st Century martial arts princess who steals from the rich in the name of love incurs the wrath of a powerful underworld boss in a romantic thriller starring Zhou Xun and Daniel Wu. Irresistible rogue D (Wu) has announced that he will run away with the first woman who can $5 million, and now the race is on to see which companionship-craving female with cough up the cash first. Ming Ming (Xun) is determined that she and D were meant to be together, and soon sets about robbing mob boss Cat (Jeff Chang) as a means of making that happen. Though she only stole Cat's curious looking box on a criminal whim while robbing him blind, Ming Ming never realized how much such a seemingly-simple looking trinket could mean so much to a man. Later, while fleeing Cat's henchmen, Ming Ming crosses paths with Nana (also Xun), whom she quickly sets up as the scapegoat for her crime. Little does Ming Ming realize, however, that Nana is one of D's girlfriends. Now, as D disappears from Shanghai and Ming Ming's secret admirer Tu mistakes Nana for the object of his affections, the race is on to locate the elusive D as he attempts to solve the mystery of his mother's strange and untimely death. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
A World Without Thieves director Feng Xiaogang shifts his focus from modern-day con artists to tenth century intrigue with this tale of internal turmoil in the age of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms starring Zhang Ziyi, Daniel Wu, and Ge You. Her empire on the verge of a massive revolution as storms begin to brew both within the royal court as well as in the outlying kingdoms, the entrancing Empress Wan (Zhang) gazes upon her stepson, Prince Wu Luan (Wu), with the eyes of a forbidden lover rather than a caring mother. When the emperor dies an unexpected death and his younger brother Li (Ge) ascends to the throne, Empress Wan marries the newly appointed sovereign as a means of both protecting her beloved Wu Luan and cementing her position within the royal court. When assassins dispatched by Emperor Li fail in their attempt to silence Wu Luan and his majesty subsequently announces a lavish banquet, Empress Wan and Wu Luan realize that the time has finally come for them to take action against the murderous despot. The film demonstrates tremendous influence by Shakespearean plays, specifically Hamlet and Macbeth. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, (more)
- 2006
After moving from San Francisco's Bay Area to Hong Kong and launching a successful acting career in the late 1990s, first-time feature filmmaker Daniel Wu crafts a scathing satire of the exploding, multi-million dollar Hong Kong pop-music scene in this Spinal Tap-inspired expose of meticulously manufactured boy band "Alive." Despite the fact that none of them can actually sing, a group of friends from the Hong Kong entertainment industry make the decision to form a boy band that will storm the charts and win fans all across Asia. After a potentially profitable record deal goes sour and the band stealthily leaks a song to the internet, they attempt to manipulate the media by publicly claiming that the song has been illegally pirated and was never intended for distribution. As a result, the catchy pop tune becomes an instant hit and Alive is instantaneously heralded as an overnight sensation. Now, despite experiencing all of the perks that come with having a number one hit, the questionably talented members of Alive soon find that the road to success is filled with treacherous potholes that can send one careening down a self-destructive path on a moments notice. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A cheeky beer promotion girl (Miriam Yeung) falls for a hard-drinking, hard-luck French-Chinese fusion cuisine chef (Daniel Wu) in a dazzling romantic comedy from One Night in Mongkok director Derek Yee. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Wu, Miriam Yeung, (more)
A pair of teenage kung fu experts find that their widowed father's far-fetched tales of adventure may hold more water than they thought in this martial arts adventure featuring fight choreography from The Matrix action director Yuen Woo Ping. In his day, Teddy (Anthony Wong) was a force to be reckoned with, but these days most of the aging chiropractor's energies are spent looking after his rebellious son Nicky (Stephen Fung) and his thrill-seeking daughter Natalie (Gillian Chung). Despite the fact that the young pair cringe when their father begins waxing nostalgic about the good old days, what they don't realize is that their father is still fighting the good fight by doing his best to protect other retired agents. When their father is kidnapped by a vengeful nemesis looking to settle a score from the past, Nicky and Natalie jump into action with Natalie's butt-kicking boyfriend Jason (Daniel Wu) to take on the bad guys and ensure that their father has a safe and happy homecoming. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A top celebrity cop finds his ability to solve a series of kidnappings and white collar crimes sidelined by the grief he harbors for his long-missing girlfriend in this dramatic Hong Kong action entry from director Benny Chan. Ever since Suen Sui-yan (Aaron Kwok)'s girlfriend went missing without a trace ten years ago, everything just seemed to fall apart for the high profile policeman who could once do no wrong. These days Suen is investigating a lucrative money laundering scheme, but upon being assigned the task of escorting a crooked accountant named Hung (Patrick Chow) to the Hong Kong airport, his luck takes an even darker turn when an assassin's bullet kills his unfortunate charge. Suen's suspicions that something is amiss are soon confirmed when a barrister acting on behalf of powerful businessman Yiu (Lo Ka-leung) denies that his client played any part in the killing and Yiu's assets are freed-up since the potential police witness has been permanently silenced, and before long the suspicious suit is struggling to pay off a sizable debt to the triads. Soon after triad boss Jim (Lau Siu-ming) admits to a fondness for Yiu's pop-star son Yiu Ha (Tommy Yuen), the adolescent singing sensation is suddenly kidnapped. Now, as Suen struggles to make a connection between all the events and reveal the identity of the mysterious assassin, the resemblance between Barrister To (Ekin Chang)'s beautiful wife Amy (Angelica Lee) and Suen's own long-missing girlfriend fast begins to cloud the determined cop's head and complicate the case. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaron Kwok, Daniel Wu, (more)
Jules Verne's famous novel of a daring man of science who takes on the greatest voyage in history is once again adapted for the big screen in this adventure comedy. In 1872, eccentric British inventor Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) has come up with any number of gadgets to help people travel with greater speed and ease, and is working on plans for a flying machine. In a lively discussion with Lord Kelvin (Jim Broadbent), the head of the Royal Academy of Science, Fogg states his belief that it's possible for someone to travel around the globe in a mere 80 days. Kelvin, who makes no secret of his belief that Fogg is a crackpot, challenges him to do just that, and adds a wager to the bargain to make things interesting: if Fogg can't circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, he'll give up inventing forever. Fogg takes the challenge, and teams up with his manservant, a former acrobat named Passepartout (Jackie Chan), and lovely navigator Monique (Cécile De France) to make the epic voyage -- traveling by train, boat, balloon, horseback, or any other means at their disposal. However, Fogg and his companions are dogged along the way by the false accusation that the inventor took part in a bank robbery, forcing him to not only complete the journey but clear his name as well. Like the blockbuster 1956 adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, this film features a number of major stars in cameo appearances and supporting roles as Fogg makes his way around the globe, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cleese, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Sammo Hung, Rob Schneider, Richard Branson, Mark Addy, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, (more)
Those familiar with the work of the Jackass crew should find much to admire in the video Chiseen. This documentary features a group of Asians who perform a variety of dangerous stunts and practical jokes that occasionally involved some famous faces including Michelle Yeoh. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A police officer has been disgraced in front of both the department and the entire city, and when the sadistic gang that wronged him attempts to cement their grip on the terrified community, the only man who can come to their aid is the one nobody believes in anymore as the long-running Police Story saga receives an exciting breath of fresh-air from director Benny Chan. Police Inspector Wing (Chan) used to be Hong Kong's top cop, but when his entire team is wiped out by a youthful group of cold-blooded bank robbers, Wing quickly falls into a deep depression. A year after everyone including Wing's fiancée has lost their faith in the fallen police inspector, Wing gets a second shot at glory when he is assigned an ambitious new partner and given the opportunity to bring the gang that nearly destroyed his life to justice. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Nicholas Tse, (more)
A deadly car accident threatens to cause a violent gang war on the crowded streets on Hong Kong's Mongkok district in writer/director Derek Yee's thriller One Night in Mongkok. Officer Milo (Alex Fong)'s task force is assigned to the case when a gangster's son is accidentally killed during a drunken dispute with a rival gang. He soon learns that a hitman has been hired to take out the rival gang leader. While Milo and his crew desperately try to find and stop the hired gun, fearing all-out war in the streets, Lai Fu (Daniel Wu), a smart but inexperienced killer from a small town in the mainland, arrives in Hong Kong to do his job. A decent sort, he intercedes when he sees a thug threatening a prostitute at his hotel. She turns out to be Dan Dan (Cecilia Cheung from Running on Karma), from a small town not far from his own. Dan Dan is a very practical young woman, and when she sees the wad of cash Lai Fu is carrying (half of his payment for the job), she pretty much latches onto him. Since she knows her way around town, this turns out to be a help to Lai Fu when he finds out that the contractor who hired him has ratted him out to the cops. As it turns out, Lai Fu isn't really that interested in killing for money, and has an ulterior, more benign motive for his trip into town. But the cops and assorted bad guys are closing in anyway. One Night in Mongkok, winner of the 2004 Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay, had its New York premiere at the 2005 New York Asian Film Festival, presented by Subway Cinema. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Wu, Cecilia Cheung, (more)
Hong Kong action specialist Wong Jing wrote the screenplay for the slam-bang Chiklo Dakgung (Naked Weapon). Madame M (Almen Wong) orchestrates the abduction of 40 different 13-year-old girls from around the world. She trains them as assassins, and in a few years, unleashes them on the world to do her bidding. The most potent of the group turn out to be gymnast Charlene Ching (Maggie Q), kickboxer Katt (Anya), and Jing (Jewel Lee). CIA agent Jack Chan (Daniel Wu) has stayed on the trail of the girls since their disappearance. When he finally catches up to Charlene, Jack is nearly done in by her alluring but deadly qualities. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Hong Kong filmmaker Sylvia Chang writes and directs the dramatic fantasy Seung Fei (Princess-D). Computer graphics designer Joker (Daniel Wu) meets a young woman named Ling (Angelica Lee) at a dance club. He convinces her to model for his latest project: a cybergirl called "Princess Digital." He eventally falls in love with her and learns about her troubled homelife With her dad (Jonathan Lee) in prison, Ling works and deals drugs in order to support her mother (Patricia Ha) and brother (Wong Yik-lam). She eventually meets Joker's father (Anthony Wong) and brother (Edison Chen). Seung Fei was shown at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Wu, Edison Chen, (more)
A private detective specializing in high-tech surveillance finds his current case has deeper-reaching implications than he previously thought after becoming obsessed with the subjects of his investigation in this erotic thriller based on actual events. Calvin (Daniel Wu) is the best of the best when it comes to surveillance, but when he's hired to capture a couple's secret rendeavoux, his obsessions soon take precedence over his professional obligations. As the true motive behind Calvin's mysterious client comes to light, his suspicions of a much farther reaching political conspiracy are soon confirmed. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Yip Wai Man's quirky comedy Beauty and the Breast concerns a man who works for a drug company that produces a pill designed to increase the size of a woman's breasts. He is romantically interested in a co-worker, but she refuses his advances. N order to get her sympathy, he pretends to have brain cancer. She falls for this, but soon discovers the truth about her attempted paramour. When she discovers that the company has been lying about the side-effects of their product, the woman attempts to make all of the men get their comeuppance. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Kevin (Andrew Lin), a terrorist, blows up a plane somewhere over Singapore. In Hong Kong, two impoverished computer geeks, Peter (pop star Aaron Kwok) and Benny (Daniel Wu), meet up with Peter's brother, Greg (Ray Lui), who is on the run from Singapore after being named as a suspect in the bombing. Gun play, location shifts, and an alliance with the mysterious Salina (Singapore TV star Phyllis Quek) ensue as the techies go in pursuit of justice and international terrorists. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Hong Kong director Teddy Chen follows up on his hit Downtown Torpedoes (1997) with this breathless action flick that recalls the South Korean mega hit Swiri (1999). Just as Hong Kong's new airport is set to open, a band of terrorists strike a Korean cargo ship, but they leave behind three encoded computer discs and Todd Nguyen (Daniel Wu), an American-educated Cambodian-Chinese man who has complete amnesia. Anti-terrorist cop Ma Li (Emil Chow) and psychiatrist Shirley Kwan (Joan Chen, whose voice is dubbed into Cantonese) struggle to turn Todd against his comrades and to wrest the secrets from his blanked memory. Meanwhile, Soong (Kam Kwok-leung), the crazed leader of the terrorist group, and his sexy sidekick Guan Ai (Josie Ho), plot to unleash a deadly chemical weapon somewhere in Hong Kong. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Wu, Kwok-Leung Gan, (more)
