Detective Dee - Mystery of the Phantom Flame

 

Let's get the obvious out of the way first.  Andy Lau is one of my favourite actors out of Asia, as far as I am concerned he is up there with Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat. Rather like Fat, Lau is not really a fighter but an actor who fights in films.  Go through his back catalogue and he is equally at home cracking heads and shooting people as well as honing his thespian skills.

Strange things are afoot and it all starts with some mysterious deaths at a massive building project.  Now, Lau who was exiled years earlier must return to use all his detective skills and psychic abilities to solve the mystery.  I don't want to give too much away as this film is simply world class.  The production values, acting, direction (by Tsui Hark) and Sammo Hung's action blend into an almost perfect concuction of movie magic.

I am not going to rattle on anymore, go out and buy this film.  It's one of the best movies I've seen in ages.  I just wish I could see it on the big screen.

• Starring Andy Lau  Tony Leung  Carina Lau
• Director Tsui Hark
• Distributor Cine Asia