S Storm (2016) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region A

Louis Koo again plays Principal Investigator William Luk, the film starting off with him putting the screws on a trader at the powerful Jockey Club under suspicion of taking bribes and illegal gambling activity. The case turns deadly when the suspect is gunned down in the street by a hitman called Song (Taiwanese actor Vic Chou, Saving General Yang), leaving Luk the only witness. This results in the local police force becoming involved, led by Detective Lau (Julian Cheung, Triumph in the Skies), who has his own problems keeping his squad together and dealing with his estranged sister Ebby (Dada Chen, Vulgaria). Inevitably, Luk and Lau butt heads at they try to get to the bottom of things, though are forced to pool their resources when it becomes clear that a shady international criminal cartel with government connections is involved.

Although it's debatable whether or not S Storm is an actual sequel, several characters being markedly different and some supporting cast members taking on other roles, most viewers should have a pretty good idea what to expect from this kind of anti-corruption thriller, namely political shenanigans, inter-departmental jostling, lots of hands being slammed on tables and plenty of swooping shots of computers and needlessly fast editing in an effort to convince that there's more going on than there actually is. To be fair, though dry, S Storm is a definite improvement on the hard to swallow Z Storm and is for the most part more grounded and believable, despite the presence of an amusingly stereotypical crusty old white villain, complete with goon henchmen played by smirking non-actors. While the ICAC team members unsurprisingly come off looking impossibly noble as they march purposefully off into the sunset, there’s an effort to work in some moral questions and grey areas along the way, David Lam probing the question of graft and its role in governance, if not with the same substance as Cold War and its sequel then at least with a reasonable level of complexity. There's certainly a lot going on, and the essentially predictable plot does engage, a short running time and some timely references to current affairs helping to keep the viewer close to the edge of the seat, if perhaps a touch bewildered in places.

Some slick production values also serve well to distract from the film's familiarity and flaws, and there's no denying that it looks good and glossy throughout. Lam works in some effective action scenes, including several decent car chases and violent shoot-outs, and these keep things moving along nicely throughout the film's admirably short running time. The cast also do their bit to add a touch of class, and while Louis Koo phones in his usual performance he's generally good value for money, as is Vic Chou, who impresses as the film’s most interesting character, and Dada Chen in a fairly subdued role. Though fans of Michael Wong and his unique acting style may rue his absence, this does make the film easier to take seriously, and the supporting cast of TVB faces all play their parts well enough.

In terms of recent corruption and anti-graft dramas and thrillers, though nothing truly memorable, S Storm is above average and offers an hour and a half of respectable genre entertainment. Never as weighty or intelligent as David Lam seems to think it is, the film nevertheless has its moments, and should be enjoyed by fans of the form or anyone who likes a lot of shouting with their action.

by James Mudge - EasternKicks.com