‘Kill Zone’ aka ‘SPL: Sha Po Lang’ is the 2005 film directed by Wilson Yip. Screenwriters are Wilson Yip, Szeto Kam Yuen and Ng Wai Lun. Starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam and Sammo Hung.
Chan Kwok Chung (Simon Yam) is living on borrowed time. The Hong Kong Inspector has a brain tumor. He’s determined to put crime boss Wong Po (Sammo Hung) away for good before he dies.
Three years later, Chan’s boss puts an obstacle in his way. He replaces Chan as the leader of his division or team. Doesn’t bother to wait until Chan has retired for the changeover.
Ma Kwun (Donnie Yen), the new team leader, has a rep for using excessive force. One incident caused permanent brain damage in its victim. The suspect, a notorious drug dealer, was “resisting” arrest at the time. Remorseful Ma has looked out for the man ever since. Checking up on him often. Supplementing his meager pay with extra cash.
Chan and his team work around Ma. They purposely keep him in the dark. They even go so far as to frame Wong for murder. A low level member in Wong’s organization killed Chan’s mole. They delete a segment of film so that it appears like Wong is the actual killer.
Eventually Ma learns the truth about everything and agrees to look the other way. Threats and unaltered evidence get Wong released from jail. Chan and Wong’s relationship is complicated.
Wong ordered a hit on a witness three years ago. The witness was killed. His wife died of her injuries. Their young daughter, Chan and members of his team were also badly injured. This was when Chan learned he had cancer. Chan adopted the girl afterwards.
Chan’s team recently stole drug money from Wong as a retirement present. Wong puts a hit out on them. Wong assassin and martial artist Jack (Wu Jing) specializes in knives. And the results are pretty. When Jack takes out the team, Ma goes after him and Wong.
Chan tries to return the money. But it’s really an assassination attempt. He’s injured then held hostage as a result. Ma salvages the team’s rep and honor.
The good: This film was the start of Wilson Yip’s collaboration with Donnie Yen. Spotlight on Wu Jing as the knife welding assassin Jack. Yen vs Hung. Watch these titans of martial arts battle. Features MMA and parkour. Fights that need to be seen to be believed. Especially Ma and Jack’s alley showdown.
Incorporating two additional storylines to flesh out the characters. One focused on Wong and his wife’s efforts to start a family. The other revealed Ma and Chan’s team relationships with their families. Devoted husband and proud papa Wong.
The bad: Regret that the movie wasn’t longer. Seeing how Wong’s quest for vengeance ends up destroying him.
The ugly: The final fates of Chan, his team and Ma.
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