Film Review – Black Mask (1996)

Jet Li is one of my favourite martial arts action stars. I adore his work. So, heading into Black Mask, I did not know what to expect. What I witnessed was something magical. The film follows Tsui Chik, a former test subject for a super soldier program just trying to live his quiet life. However, this is upended when other members of the program start a violent crime spree. The Hong Kong police are way over their heads, so Tsui Chik dons the famous black mask to put an end to the violent crimes.

Made in a post-Universal Soldier and Terminator 2 world, you can see the Hollywood influences throughout the basic narrative of this film. At the same time, you can also see how this was the blueprint for the future of action cinema. The martial arts direction was handled by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. The use of wires allows our characters to perform superhero-like movements. We see our characters glide and bounce off objects, and kicks send people flying halfway across the room. The choreography and use of wires allow us to believe that these are super soldiers and not just any other regular humans. The action feels like a precursor to what Woo-ping would go on to do with The Matrix. The action is truly fantastical, and I loved every moment of it.

Jet Li continues to be a true delight and showcases why he became a worldwide megastar. However, it was the supporting cast that impressed me the most. Sean Lau and Karen Mok are delightful and amplify Jet Li’s performance. My biggest issue with the film is the narrative and the direction. The story is so simplistic that it leads to scenes that feel repetitive; consequently, it results in an overly long film even though the runtime is only 1 hour and 40 minutes. While the action direction is strong, I feel the rest of the direction is lacking. In a way, you can feel when Yuen Woo-ping takes over from Daniel Lee.

This Eureka release of Black Mask is the ultimate edition of the film. You get every cut of the film, including the fully uncut Hong Kong version, the US version, an alternative Taiwanese cut, and an extended version featuring unique footage from all the releases of the film. Additionally, you get some unique perspectives on the film by Andrew Heskins and Leon Hunt. Eureka Entertainment releases some of the best Blu-rays when it comes to bonus material, and this trend continues with Black Mask.

I had a really good time with Black Mask, and if you are a Jet Li fan or a fan of Yuen Woo-ping, you will have a great time with this film. Eureka did an excellent job, and it’s worth the retail price.

★★★1/2

Out Now on Blu-ray / Jet Li, Sean Lau, Karen Mok, Françoise Yip / Dir: Daniel Lee / Eureka Entertainment / 18

About the Author

Robert Ewing

Author

Rob is a freelance film critic and writer who specialises in Anime and Asian cinema. I have adored film since a young age, having watched films that were far too old for me, such as RoboCop, Die Hard, and Hot Tub Time Machine, to discovering the heights of foreign cinema through films like Headhunters and Battle Royale. Growing up with such a diverse catalogue of films that I cherished sparked my desire to discuss them. This passion eventually led me to become a reviewer. Dissecting films, speaking to filmmakers I admire, and showcasing the best of Asian and anime cinema is how I live my best and truest life.

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