Film Review: High Forces 危機航綫 (2024) - Hong Kong / China
I rated it 5/10
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
In a cinematic landscape saturated with high-octane action thrillers, "High Forces" (2024) attempts to soar but ultimately falls short of reaching its full potential. Directed by Oxide Pang and led by the seasoned Andy Lau, this Hong Kong-Chinese collaboration sets its stage on an Airbus A380, promising sky-high suspense and adrenaline-pumping sequences.
Unfortunately, the film's wings are clipped by a script that struggles to break free from clichés, leaving audiences strapped in for a ride they've seen before. The narrative, while ambitious in its setup, fails to deliver a fresh take on the tried-and-tested hijacking thriller genre. The lack of originality weighs heavily on the viewing experience, dampening the impact of what could have been a gripping tale of high-altitude tension.
Even the star power of Andy Lau cannot salvage the film from its descent into mediocrity. Lau's portrayal of Gao Haojun, the conflicted security expert haunted by past tragedies, feels disappointingly one-dimensional. His performance comes across as wooden, failing to inject the much-needed dynamism into a character that demands depth and charisma.
Moreover, the key villains, led by Qu Chuxiao as the antagonist Mike, fail to strike the menacing chords required to elevate the stakes. In a genre where memorable villains can make or break a film, the lack of charisma and presence among the antagonists leaves a void that even Lau's valiant efforts cannot fill.
While "High Forces" may have found a more forgiving audience in the 90s era of action cinema, in the cinematic landscape of 2024, it struggles to stay aloft. The action sequences, crucial to elevating the tension, often get lost in chaotic choreography and obscured visuals, making it a challenge for viewers to fully immerse themselves in the high-flying chaos.
In conclusion, "High Forces" lands with a thud rather than a triumphant touchdown. Lacking the originality, compelling performances, and gripping antagonists needed to soar above its competition, this film remains grounded in the shadows of its predecessors. As the credits roll, one can't help but feel that this turbulent flight could have reached greater heights with a more innovative script and performances that truly took off. (Neo, 2024)