Hak Bak Sam Lam / Colour Of The Truth (2003) - A soft introduction to the world of the Asian cinema - 7/10 (01/06/11)

Let me introduce you to this movie with a little warning. Don't expect it being a pure vengeance flick. You shouldn't also be misled by the fact that this movie comes from Hongkong and expect a high paced martial arts movie. This also isn't a movie about Chinese culture as it could take place in any other country. That's why this movie might especially please to people that rather watch traditional European thrillers and not to all fans of the Asian cinema. To some people this flick could be a soft but impressing introduction to Asian cinema. If you are in the same situation as me who adores Asian movies but who has a girlfriend and mother that rather dislike this kind of cinema, this movie could be what you have been looking for.

Take this movie as it is: a very entertaining cop thriller with a couple of moral and philosophic touches and a couple of more or less surprising twists. Those two aspects are enough to make this movie stand out from many others of its kind but this isn't enough to make a masterpiece of it. I should also mention the solid acting by most of the characters but the negative aspect is that the main character is played by the weakest actor that does a rather faceless performance and needs some time to grow into his role which leads to some lengths in the beginning. But the movie is worth the wait and many intriguing characters are introduced and the mid tempo pace kicks in after a mediocre start. The rest is the usual stuff including some explosive action scenes, a little bit of suspense, some humour and a little shot of romance.

This movie is worth to be watched and very entertaining but I wouldn't have bought it or watched it in the movie theatres. If you want a great Asian cop thriller go and check out the Korean "Memories of Murder" and check out some of my other reviews on this site.