Quan’s (Jackie Chan) is a London restaurant owner whose daughter is killed by a terror attack implemented by a rouge cell named “authentic IRA.” Quan barely survives the blast and spends the 1st part of the film pushing for answers from the local cops but gets nothing. Naturally he does his own detective work which leads him to Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan) a guarded former IRA member, who’s currently in bed with the Brits and has a lot at stake in his government post.
Both men have a very dark past and once they meet a deadly game of cat-and-mouse builds up with the government official, whose past likely is hiding clues to the killer’s names and alias. Martin Campbell (“Goldeneye”, “Casino Royale”) does an impressive job directing this cold political thriller full of twist and turns. Chan is given a chance to explore a more dramatic side as well as returning to fold with his signature fighting style proving he still has it at 65, while Brosnan brings out a forceful, multilayered guy who’s circled by frenemies with things to hide of their own.
Interesting facts Laim Hennessy is clearly based on Irish politician Gerry Adams. He later became the leader of Sinn Féin, the political branch of the IRA, and was seriously involved in establishing a lasting peace accord in Northern Ireland. Hennessy even shows physical resemblance to Adams. The film is based on the book “The Chinaman” (1992) by Stephen Leather. Due to the nature of the film was ironically banned in Northern Ireland. It’s also the 1st film Campbell has directed since his widely panned “Green Lantern” in 2011.
Rated R for violence, language and some sexual material
not as graphic as others
IMDB 7.1/10
TOMATOMETER 62/73
MY RATING B+
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