RATING: 3/5
It's a familiar Dante Lam's territory he has previously explored in THE BEAST STALKER (2008) and every crime drama that centers on "cop-stuck-in-a-gray area" sub genre. His latest movie, FIRE OF CONSCIENCE is no exception.
On the surface, it's basically nothing we haven't seen before but at least director Dante Lam manages to make an entertaining thriller out of its tired cliches.
Likewise, technical level is ace with a number of well-staged action sequences that leveled with Michael Mann-like kinetic energy. The opening scene is especially tour de force, as it begins with the camera floating through multiple black-and-white freeze frames of incidents that set off the movie: a group of armed robbers open fire on a policeman in broad daylight, the police announce a major drug raid on a press conference, and a prostitute services a customer. The movie is also exceptionally violent and graphic to the near point of Category III-style -- a rarity for mainstream Hong Kong cinema these days.
Acting are surprisingly above-average, especially the two leading stars -- Leon Lai and Richie Ren -- are not exactly the ideal candidates to pull off such roles with moral complexity, given the fact their acting resume stroked more misses-than-hits. Leon Lai's unkempt appearance, complete with facial hair, might look awkward at first but his riveting performance is worth praising for. It's been quite some time since Lai excels as a good actor these days (his previous supporting turn in last year's BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS is terribly wasted). Still this is a breakthrough performance for Richie Ren. Known more for tackling breezy roles in lighthearted fares, Ren is a startling revelation. Here, he has progressed his acting skill admirably as a deceptive police officer with a hidden agenda. Supporting turns are equally captivating, notably for Liu Kai-Chi as the foul-mouthed and disgraced cop and Michelle Ye as the dedicated cop.
Despite most of the good stuff, Jack Ng's script remains the biggest culprit. Like his previous collaboration with Dante Lam in THE BEAST STALKER, the movie tends to get overwhelmed with lots of exposition and it doesn't help when the plot grows heavy-handed at each passing time.
Definitely not the best genre piece from Dante Lam, but a notch above than most like-minded thrillers nowadays.