4K Ultra HD Review – City on Fire (1987)

      City on Fire, 1987.

      Directed by Ringo Lam.

      Featuring Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee, Yueh Sun, Carrie Ng, Kong Lau, and Roy Cheung.

      SYNOPSIS:

      An undercover police officer penetrates a group of jewel thieves while trying to salvage his relationship with his fiancée and avoid detection by fellow officers who are unaware of his true identity.

      City on Fire is frequently noted as a significant influence on Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs—notably the primary influence—but this comparison is more applicable to the film's final act, where characters converge, uncover deceit within their ranks, confront one another with weapons, and test their loyalties.

      Before this climax, however, City on Fire presents itself as a polished, intense, and thrilling cop drama that embodies the coolness of the 1980s, characterized by neon lights, tailored suits, and a sultry saxophone soundtrack. Despite its era, it feels less dated compared to films like Miami Vice or Black Rain. Chow Yun-Fat portrays Ko Chow, an undercover officer tasked with infiltrating a crew planning a major jewel heist. His growing camaraderie with the easy-going gangster Fu (Danny Lee) aids his cover, but this also leads to complications when a team of police officers, led by an ambitious young inspector, is assigned to dismantle the gang, unaware of Ko Chow's true allegiance. Additionally, Ko Chow’s engagement faces challenges as he attempts to juggle his duties as a cop, his illicit activities, and personal life, leading to inevitable consequences.

      Inspired by a real case that director Ringo Lam observed during the trial, City on Fire achieved significant success upon its 1987 release, in an era when style often overshadowed substance. The film is rich in style, but its added grittiness provides a depth that effectively foreshadowed trends of the next decade. The energy is a bit more frantic than what mainstream audiences might have been accustomed to at the time, with the typically composed Chow Yun-Fat portraying a stressed cop, adding an intense level of character-driven adrenaline to complement the violence.

      Offered in Dolby Vision and HDR10, the 4K UHD edition presents a noticeably cleaner print compared to previous releases, with vibrant neon lights leaping off the screen in urban scenes and shadowy, dark moments retaining considerable detail. However, given that City on Fire is nearly four decades old and was never particularly visually striking, don’t expect the high definition quality of films like Heat or The Dark Knight. This disc features an audio commentary by experts in Hong Kong cinema, Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto, along with interviews from various crew members and scholars providing insight that expands the understanding of the film and its impact.

      If you’ve seen Reservoir Dogs and are curious about City on Fire, this release offers a well-preserved and rich package. The film's influence is well-documented—not just on Quentin Tarantino—and it remains a thrilling experience. So, is it on par with the films it inspired? Yes, it is, and it certainly merits inclusion in discussions about the greatest crime/action films from Hong Kong, not just for its climactic moments but for its overall entertaining narrative, even if it wanders into familiar territory to reach its pivotal conclusion.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward