Raging Fire (film)

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Raging Fire
RagingFire.jpg
Official film poster
Traditional怒火
Simplified怒火
MandarinNù Huǒ
CantoneseNou6 Fo2
Directed byBenny Chan
Screenplay byBenny Chan
Ryan Ling
Tong Yiu-ling
Produced byBenny Chan
Donnie Yen
StarringDonnie Yen
Nicholas Tse
Qin Lan
CinematographyEdmond Fung
Edited byCurran Pang
Music byNicolas Errèra
Production
companies
Distributed byEmperor Motion Pictures (Hong Kong, Worldwide)
Intercontinental Film Distribution (HK) (Hong Kong)
Release dates
  • 30 July 2021 (2021-07-30) (China)
  • 19 August 2021 (2021-08-19) (Hong Kong)
Running time
126 minutes
CountriesHong Kong
China
LanguageCantonese
Box officeUS$225 million[a]

Raging Fire is a 2021 Hong Kong-Chinese action film written, produced and directed by Benny Chan in his final directorial effort before his death on 23 August 2020.[1] The film stars Donnie Yen as a righteous cop who crosses path with his former protege, played by Nicholas Tse, who is out for revenge on his former mentor for putting him in prison in the past.

The film was released on 30 July 2021 in Mainland China and on 19 August 2021 in Hong Kong.[2]

Plot[]

Cheung Sung-bong is an officer of the Regional Crime Unit who worked in the front line for many years and cracked many major cases. However, he is seen as an outcast due to his extremely righteous character which affected his career, but his protege, Yau Kong-ngo, respects him as a good officer although Yau does not completely agree with Cheung's overly hard-boiled style and believes in taking shortcuts. Yau manage to reach up to Cheung's level. However, fate unexpectedly brings them to different paths and pits them against one another.

Cast[]

  • Donnie Yen as Cheung Sung-bong (張崇邦), senior inspector of the Regional Crime Unit who is extremely righteous and dedicated.
  • Nicholas Tse as Yau Kong-ngo (邱剛敖), Cheung's former protege who goes rogue and swears revenge on his mentor when the latter testified against him, leading him to be imprisoned for beating suspect Coke to death.
  • Qin Lan as Anna Lam (藍可盈), Cheung's pregnant wife.
  • Simon Yam as Lok Chi-fai (駱智輝), Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Cheung's hearing for Cheung's internal investigation.
  • Ray Lui as Yiu Yeuk-sing (姚若成), Superintendent of the Regional Crime Unit and Cheung's superior officer and mentor.
  • Ben Yuen as Sze-to Kit (司徒傑), former Commissioner of Police and Cheung's and Yau's former superior who instructed the latter to use any means necessary to rescue Fok and later testified against Yau in court.
  • Ben Lam as Au Man-kwai (區萬貴), a drug dealer who hires Yau to rob crystal meth from Wong Kwun.
  • Ken Lo as Ma Kau-wing (馬交榮), a robber who intended to collaborate with Yau to rob Fok's bank.
  • Carlos Chan as Officer Ma (馬Sir), a higher-up police officer who looks down on Cheung and his squad.
  • Patrick Tam as Beau Yuen (袁家寶), Chief Inspector of Regional Crime Unit, Cheung's superior officer and best friend.
  • Kenny Wong as Tai Cheuk-yin (戴卓賢), Sergeant of the Regional Crime Unit and Cheung's most trusted subordinate.
  • Deep Ng as Chow Chi-chun (周子俊), a Regional Crime Unit officer and Cheung's subordinate who is an alcoholic, but is dedicated to his job.
  • Jeana Ho as Turbo Lui (呂慧思), a Regional Crime Unit officer and Cheung's subordinate.
  • Angus Yeung as Cho Ning (曹寧), a Regional Crime Unit officer and Cheung's subordinate.
  • Bruce Tong as Kwan Chung-him (關頌謙), a Regional Crime Unit officer and Cheung's subordinate.
  • Henry Mak as Chiu Chi-keung (招志強), Yau's underling and former police officer.
  • Yu Kang as Mok Yik-chuen (莫亦荃), Yau's underling and former police officer.
  • German Cheung as Chu Yuk-ming (朱旭明), Yau's underling and former police officer.
  • Tony Wu as Law Kim-wah (羅劍華), Yau's underling and a former police officer who is a father to a six year old daughter.
  • Derek Kok as Bill Cheung (張德標), an officer in Yau's squad who threw himself off the police headquarters building after feeling betrayed by the police when they testified against the squad.
  • Matt Chow as Officer Chow (周Sir)
  • Fire Lee as Officer Tai (戴Sir)
  • Mak Cheung-ching as Lam Ngai-sing (林毅星), a police superintendent present at Cheung's internal investigation hearing.
  • Cheung Kwok-keung as Officer Lau (劉Sir), the Chief of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bureau.
  • Kwok Fung as Fok Siu-tong (霍兆堂), a bank tycoon who was kidnapped five years ago where Seto instructed Yau to use any means to find Fok.
  • Julius Brian Siswojo as Wong Kwan (王焜), a drug dealer who was set up and killed by Yau.

Music[]

The film's theme song, titled Confrontation (對峙), is composed and performed by Nicholas Tse, with lyrics written by Kenny So.[3] A promotional song for the film was also released as a tribute to director Benny Chan, which is a cover of the song A Real Man (真的漢子), which was originally composed and performed by George Lam, with lyrics written by Cheng Kwok-kong. The new version is performed by Andy Lau, Donnie Yen, Wu Jing, Nick Cheung and Jordan Chan, with slightly altered lyrics written by Keith Chan.[4]

Production[]

The film was first announced at the 2019 Hong Kong Film & TV Market (FILMART).[5] Producer and star Donnie Yen revealed that the film had originally been planned to be filmed in a foreign country, but he persuaded co-producer and director Benny Chan to stay in Hong Kong for filming.[6] Production began in April of the same year.[7] On 6 May 2019, a scene was filmed involving Yen jumping from a balcony for which he was suspended on wires for two hours.[8] The film held its blessing ceremony on 23 July 2019 at a constructed set on Peking Road in Quarry Bay Film Studio that was attended by Emperor Group head Albert Yeung, Chan, Yen and the rest of the cast and crew.[9][10] Production for the film wrapped up in September 2019.[11]

On 23 August 2020, director Chan died from nasopharyngeal cancer. It was reported that he had fallen ill during the film's production and had later been diagnosed with the illness. Chan completed his directing duties for the film but was unable to take part in post-production due to his illness.[12]

Release[]

Raging Fire was theatrically released in China on 30 July 2021, followed by a limited release in the United States on 13 August 2021, and in Hong Kong on 19 August 2021.[2]

Reception[]

Box office[]

As of 10 October 2021, Raging Fire has grossed US$225 million worldwide, combining its gross from Hong Kong (US$3.3 million),[13] China (US$221.2 million),[14] North America (US$368,301), Australia (US$54,211), New Zealand (US$2,417)[13]and Taiwan (US$172,558).[15]

In Hong Kong, the film debuted at No. 2 during its opening weekend, grossing HK$7,592,576 (US$974,544) during its first four days of release.[16] On its second weekend, the film grossed HK$8,775,780, coming in at No. 1, and have grossed a total of HK$16,368,356 (US$2,101,717) by then.[17] During the its third week, the film grossed HK$5,271,353, coming in at No. 2, and have grossed a total of HK$21,636,628 (US$2,783,956) by then.[18] On its fourth weekend, the film remained at No. 2 where it grossed HK$2,749,226 and have grossed a total of HK24,385,854 (US$3,135,396) so by then.[19] During its fifth weekend, the film grossed HK$1,049,458, coming in No. 5, and have accumulated a total gross of HK$25,435,312 (US$3,268,144) so far.[20][21]

In China, the film debuted at No. 1 during its opening weekend, grossing US$40.5 million during its first three days of release.[22] On its second weekend, the film grossed US$49.2 million, remaining at No. 1, and have grossed a total of US$89.7 million by then.[23] The film remained at first place during its third weekend, grossing US$42.5 million, and have accumulated a total gross of US$132.3 million so far.[24] The film stayed at No. 1 again for four consecutive weeks, grossing US$25.1 million during its fourth weekend and have grossed a total of US$157.9 million by then.[25] During its fifth weekend, the film grossed US$19.2, coming in at No. 2 behind new release Free Guy, and have grossed a total of US$177.1 million by then.[26] On its sixth week, the film grossed US$13.1 million, remaining at No. 2, and have grossed a total of US$190.2 million by then.[27] During its seventh week, the film grossed US$10.7 million, coming in at No. 3, and have accumulated a total gross of US$200.9 million by then.[28] On its eighth week, the film grossed US$8.8 million, remaining at No. 3, and have grossed a total of US$209.7 million so far.[14]

Critical reception[]

Matthew Monagle of the Austin Chronicle gave the film 4/5 stars and praises the characterizations and action set pieces [29] Lim Lian-yu of Yahoo! Singapore gave the film a score of 3.5/5 stars, describing the film as "126 minutes worth of explosive action that is bound to entertain and keep your eyes busy."[30] Edmund Lee of the South China Morning Post gave the film a score of 3/5 stars, praising it as "the best that Hong Kong action-film making has to offer", but criticizing its illogical story and crude script.[31]

G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle praises the film's action scenes but criticizes the exposition scenes which drags the film.[32] Cary Darling of the Houston Chronicle praises director Chan's execution of a basic premise and the action choreography as "breathlessly exhilarating."[33] Anna Smith of Deadline Hollywood describes the film as "an accomplished visual feat with detailed fight choreography and strong physical performances", while also noting its underdeveloped characterizations and overuse of flashbacks.[34]

Marc Zirogiannis of Taekwondo Life Magazine wrote, "In Raging Fire, Benny Chan's final directorial work, Yen combines the elements of his persona as an action star and dramatic actor for a successful result. His dramatic engagement equals his action prowess, and these elements combine to make this film superior."[35]

Notes[]

  1. ^ See Box office

References[]

  1. ^ "New Police Story director Benny Chan dies at 58". 24 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Don't miss the New action-packed Trailer for Benny Chan's 'Raging Fire' starring Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse".
  3. ^ "《怒火》謝霆鋒甄子丹拍主題曲MV　結他鋼琴對壘鬥Chok".
  4. ^ "向陳木勝致敬 劉德華甄子丹吳京張家輝陳小春合唱《真的漢子》 (21:21)".
  5. ^ "Filmart: Donnie Yen Joins Benny Chan's Cop Thriller 'Raging Fire'". 19 March 2019.
  6. ^ "新片《怒火》將留港取景拍攝 甄子丹：可以成日返屋企".
  7. ^ "Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse to Film "Raging Fire"".
  8. ^ "Donnie Yen Films for New Thriller, "Raging Fire"".
  9. ^ "【怒火】甄子丹謝霆鋒槍戰日燒幾十萬 搭4萬呎北京道街景好認真". 24 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse at "Raging Fire" Blessing Ceremony".
  11. ^ "甄子丹和谢霆锋合作新片已杀青，何佩瑜晒庆功照，和秦岚同框". 25 September 2019.
  12. ^ "HK director Benny Chan dead at 58, best known for Jackie Chan's 'New Police Story'".
  13. ^ a b "Raging Fire - Box Office Mojo".
  14. ^ a b "China Weekly Box Office (10/04 - 10/10/2021)".
  15. ^ "全國電影票房2021年11/15-11/21統計資訊". www.tfai.org.tw.
  16. ^ "Hong Kong 2021 Weekend 33".
  17. ^ "Hong Kong 2021 Weekend 34".
  18. ^ "Hong Kong 2021 Weekend 35".
  19. ^ "Hong Kong 2021 Weekend 36".
  20. ^ "Hong Kong 2021 Weekend 37".
  21. ^ "Weekly Box Office - Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) 2021".
  22. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (07/26 - 8 January 2021)".
  23. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (08/02 - 8 August 2021)".
  24. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (08/09 - 08/15/2021)".
  25. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (08/16 - 08/22/2021)".
  26. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (08/23 - 08/29/2021)".
  27. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (08/30 - 09/05/2021)".
  28. ^ "China Weekly Box Office (09/06 - 09/12/2021)".
  29. ^ "Raging Fire - Movie Review - The Austin Chronicle".
  30. ^ "Raging Fire review: Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse face off as cop and criminal".
  31. ^ "Raging Fire movie review: Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse fight to the death in Benny Chan's action-packed final film".
  32. ^ "Review: Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse battle in 'Raging Fire,' a throwback to classic Hong Kong action cinema".
  33. ^ "Review: 'Raging Fire' brings back old-school Hong Kong film action".
  34. ^ "Int'l Critics Line: Anna Smith On Donnie Yen Actioner 'Raging Fire'".
  35. ^ Zirogiannis, Marc. "Yen Smolders in 'Raging Fire". Taekwondo Life Magazine. KYPAUSA. Retrieved 17 August 2021.

External links[]

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