Film Review: Counterattack (反击) (2021) - China
Rating: 4.5/10
2025 Review Count - 43
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Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
Vincent Zhao’s directorial debut, “Counterattack”, is a film that tries to pack a punch but ultimately lands with a thud. The movie, a Chinese action-thriller, follows the story of Lu Zi Ming (Zhao), a security expert who is framed during a high-stakes oil and gas plant bidding event. What follows is a convoluted plot of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, peppered with fight scenes that occasionally shine but are overshadowed by a lackluster script and uneven execution.
Zhao, best known for his roles in martial arts films, is clearly in his element during the action sequences. The fight choreography is competent, with Zhao’s physicality and experience lending credibility to the brawls. However, these moments are too few and far between to salvage the film. Zhao’s performance as Lu Zi Ming is serviceable, but he is wasted in a role that demands little more than stoic heroics and occasional bursts of rage. The character is a thinly veiled attempt at a "Wolf Warrior" archetype—a lone wolf fighting against overwhelming odds—but the writing fails to give him depth or nuance.
The supporting cast is equally underserved. Pa Li, Jiang Yi Yi, and the rest of the ensemble are given little to work with, their characters reduced to clichés or plot devices. The dialogue, particularly in English, is often cringe-worthy, with stilted delivery and awkward phrasing that detract from the film’s credibility. It’s a shame, as the premise—a man wrongfully accused fighting to clear his name—has potential, but the script squanders it with predictable twists and underdeveloped subplots.
Technically, “Counterattack” is a mixed bag. The cinematography is functional but uninspired, with few memorable shots or visual flourishes. The editing is choppy at times, disrupting the flow of the action sequences and making the narrative harder to follow. The score, while serviceable, does little to elevate the tension or emotional stakes.
Where the film falters most is in its tone. It tries to balance gritty realism with over-the-top action, but the two elements never quite mesh. The result is a film that feels unsure of what it wants to be. Is it a serious thriller? A high-octane action flick? A patriotic rallying cry? It dabbles in all three but succeeds at none.
In the end, ”Counterattack” is a forgettable entry in the action genre. While Vincent Zhao’s directorial debut shows glimpses of promise, it is ultimately undone by poor writing, uneven pacing, and a lack of originality. For fans of Zhao’s martial arts prowess, there are moments worth watching, but they are not enough to recommend the film as a whole. *Counterattack* is a missed opportunity, a film that aims high but falls flat. (Neo, 2025)
Directed by Vincent Zhao
Starring Vincent Zhao, Pa Li, Jiang Yi Yi, Kevin Lee, Lu Peng, Xiang Yu
Runtime: 88 minutes
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