"I Did It My Way," a Hong Kong crime drama starring Andy Lau, Gordon Lam and boasting familiar faces like Kent Cheng, Lam Suet, and Simon Yam, offers a riveting roller coaster ride through the city's underbelly. Satisfactory entertainment is guaranteed with the combined allure of action-packed schemes and a seasoned ensemble that draws you in, giving your time and money's worth.
Akin to various present-day Hong Kong crime dramas, the movie tracks a relentless chase between gritty Hong Kong police officers and a seemingly virtuous criminal with an extensive crime syndicate. Lau represents this criminal mastermind, George Lam. A cool-headed attorney assumed to be a prolific drug trafficker via the mysterious “dark web.” George circulates Super Molly, and other illegal drugs while being cautiously observed by Officer Fong Hing (Eddie Peng), the youthful leader of Hong Kong police's cyber-crimes unit. Officer Fong is intent on halting the drug trade, empowered secretly by a mole, Sau Ho (Gordon Lam), George's multitalented 'cleaner.'
The movie tactfully incorporates dramatic sword hanging moments, seen when George propounds a marriage proposal to his expectant wife, Vivian (Yase Liu), met with a hesitant response from her. Yet, it doesn't sway from the clichéd essence of the film, as seen with Sau Ho's volatile loyalty-his wavering ambition to emigrate with his family or defeat Lam to uphold his police honor-and the uncertain conclusion of Vivian's pregnancy.
The film director, Jason Kwan, often seen prioritizing the employment of a tried-and-tested cop and robber story archetype, successfully pulls off an elevated viewing experience each time he underscores the performances of Lau and Lam. In his role as Sau Ho, versatile actor Lam conveys his regularly high-strung persona. However, it's Lau who steals the show with his magnetic charm, as he effortlessly scrutinizes the police force, broods in solitude, or orders the termination of numerous opponents. Lau's charisma is undeniably the driving force behind the film's energy, amplifying the tension when he menaces to harm Sau Ho and his family from his luxury vehicle.
Nevertheless, the hallmark scene from "I Did It My Way" excludes Lau entirely. Eddie Peng's rigid superintendent, Fong Hing, outshines everyone briefly during a valiant rescue mission, braving through numerous whopping layers of glass bottles in a luxury wine cellar. The electrifying scene is beautifully visualized with Peng's full throttle involvement.
Despite being an entertaining watch, the film might leave audiences longing for more intricate plot narrative and character development. For instance, the lack of significant screen time for Simon Yam, who portrays an apparently constipated officer, or the scanty explanation about Super Molly, the illicitly crafted drug too overpowering for its consumers, might disappoint some viewers. However, with intense scenes scattered between scenarios of dark web breaches and police assault standoffs, the film promises momentary drama.
The captivating presence of Lau, though predictably a crowd-pleaser, holds the film's appeal quite strongly. Jason Kwan successfully extracts an impressive character portrayal from his antagonist, mirroring his earlier associations with Donnie Yen in "Chasing the Dragon" and Tony Leung Ka Fai in "Chasing the Dragon II: The Wild Bunch." Even after having defied stereotype expectations consistently in his long-spanning career, Lau's charm and his exceptional performances alongside eminent Hong Kong filmmakers like Ann Hui and Johnnie To makes him a game changer.
Lau, a defining star in the industry, expertly applies his minimalist yet impactful acting strategy, effortlessly commanding the screen with his mere smile or a bold dare to his adversaries. His intense statement to a furious Peng stays imprinted: "Bring me to justice if you have solid proof," making the audiences shudder at his gripping antagonism. Such is Lau's command over his character in "I Did It My Way"- a true testament to his exceptional acting prowess.
