Black Mask (1997)
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48% of critics liked it
(29 reviews) -
36% want to see it
(15,984 ratings)
Martial arts star Jet Li donned a black hat and mask to portray a comic book superhero in this pulp action tale that gets the full-blown Hong Kong treatment from choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, who later designed the fight scenes for The Matrix (1999). Li stars as Tsui Chik, leader of Squad 701, an… More Martial arts star Jet Li donned a black hat and mask to portray a comic book superhero in this pulp action tale that gets the full-blown Hong Kong treatment from choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, who later designed the fight scenes for The Matrix (1999). Li stars as Tsui Chik, leader of Squad 701, an elite commando team of genetically-engineered super-soldiers. When the unit was deemed a failure because of mental instability in some of the test subjects, the project was disbanded. Tsui now lives quietly in Hong Kong, masquerading as a shy librarian whose only friend is a cop (Lau Ching Wan). When some drug lords begin turning up dead, Tsui dons a black mask and hat to investigate the slayings and learns that his former Squad 701 comrades, led by psychotic Commander Hung (Patrick Lung), are plotting to take over the drug kingpin's illegal trade. Among their number is Tsui's ex-girlfriend Kaelin (Francoise Yip). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Daniel Lee
- Written By
- Teddy Chen, Koan Hui, Joe Ma, Hark Tsui
- Genres
- Art House & International, Action & Adventure
R,
- Studio
- Artisan Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine
Poorly lit, crooked camera angles (that didn't match one shot from the next) make the film nearly unwatchable.
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
Jet Li is freakin' unstoppable!
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Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
They needed to think this one through a little more before commiting it to film.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
You could watch it on mute and still be blown away by the action bits.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...an above-average entry in the field, thanks to its flashy camera work and attractive star. Non-fans of martial arts films need not even apply.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jet Li
as Tsui Chik
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Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
as King Kau
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Karen Mok
as Tracy
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Patrick Lung Kang
as Commander Hung
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Ching Wan Lau
as Inspector Shek
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Francoise Yip
as Yuek=Ian
