Review of Knock Off (1998) by Robert W — 03 Apr 2010

Many of Tsui's films are thinly veiled analogies offering thoughtful commentary on Hong Kong society and pop-culture. So why do so many people often forget this particular Tsui-ism when discussing Knock Off, Tsuiâ??s second of two English-language films? Set on the cusp of of the 1997 handover, Knock Off is overflowing with Tsuiâ??s subversive nature, and in this film he lambastes and lampoons Jean-Claude Van Dammeâ??s egotistical persona, John Wooâ??s and Ringo Lamâ??s special-cams, the ridiculous nature of contemporary HK action cinema, conventions that he helped to create, and the proliferation of Orientalism in the West.

Knock Off is a prime example of Tsui Hark being Tsui Hark â?? this film simply could not have come from any other director. And for these reasons I think it is an important film in a the director's filmmography, as well as a film that is simply to fun and ridiculous to ignore.