Meltdown (film)
Encyclopedia
High Risk (also known in the United States
as Meltdown) is a 1995
Hong Kong
action film written, produced and directed by Wong Jing
, starring Jet Li
, Jacky Cheung
, Chingmy Yau
, Charlie Yeung
, Billy Chow
, Kelvin Wong and Valerie Chow
. Corey Yuen
serves as the film's fight choreographer
. This is Kelvin Wong's final film appearance, who has retired from acting after his final movie.
The film is a parody
of some of Hollywood's
most influential action film
s, such as Die Hard
and Speed. It also gained controversy for spoofing Jackie Chan
, who was, in turn, offended by the satire
.
Meltdown is the title given to this film in the United States by Columbia TriStar Home Video
(now known as Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
).
(虎膽龍威 Tiger's bravery and Dragon's might) in Hong Kong.
The movie takes a cinematic swipe at Jackie Chan
, with whom director Wong Jing had worked previously on the City Hunter live-action
film. After its release, Chan not only disowned the film, but attacked Wong personally in the press. Through the character of Frankie Lone, Wong struck back by insinuating that Chan was actually a boozing womanizer and a fraud who did not really do his own stunts after all.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as Meltdown) is a 1995
Hong Kong films of 1995
A list of films produced in Hong Kong in 1995:.-1995:-External links:* * Hong Kong films of 1995 at...
Hong Kong
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
action film written, produced and directed by Wong Jing
Wong Jing
Wong Jing is a Hong Kong film director, producer, actor, presenter, and screenwriter. A prolific filmmaker possessed of strong instincts for crowd-pleasing and publicity, he is often cited as the most consistently successful filmmaker , in commercial terms, in the Hong Kong cinema of the last...
, starring Jet Li
Jet Li
The fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
, Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
, Chingmy Yau
Chingmy Yau
Chingmy Yau is a Hong Kong actress who no longer takes part in films although she is not formally retired.Yau entered the Hong Kong film industry after competing in the 1987 Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant....
, Charlie Yeung
Charlie Yeung
Charlie Yeung Choi-Nei, sometimes spelled Charlie Young, is a Chinese film actress and singer. She was first noticed after appearing in a jewellery commercial with Aaron Kwok...
, Billy Chow
Billy Chow
Billy Chow , is an Chinese Canadian actor, martial artist and the former world kickboxing champion...
, Kelvin Wong and Valerie Chow
Valerie Chow
Valerie Chow, aka Rachel Shane in the US, is a Hong Kong actress.She has starred in numerous films and several television series, most memorably in Wong Kar-wai's internationally acclaimed 1994 feature, Chungking Express, which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 14th Hong...
. Corey Yuen
Corey Yuen
Corey Yuen Kwai is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and producer. He was a member of the Peking Opera Schools and one of the Seven Little Fortunes.-Life and career:...
serves as the film's fight choreographer
Stage combat
Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. The term is also used informally to describe fight choreography for other...
. This is Kelvin Wong's final film appearance, who has retired from acting after his final movie.
The film is a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of some of Hollywood's
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
most influential action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
s, such as Die Hard
Die Hard
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
and Speed. It also gained controversy for spoofing Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, who was, in turn, offended by the satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
.
Meltdown is the title given to this film in the United States by Columbia TriStar Home Video
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
(now known as Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
).
Synopsis
Police officer Kit (Jet Li) leaves his job after his family is killed by a terrorist named The Doctor. Kit becomes a bodyguard for movie star Frankie (Jacky Cheung) who is reported to perform his own stunts. The report is untrue; Frankie is a drunken womanizer incapable of performing the stunts, and Kit performs them for him. Frankie attends a gala event in a high-rise hotel where The Terrorist shows up and takes everyone hostage. Kit has an opportunity to face his family's killer and save Frankie and the rest of the hostages.Cast and characters
- Jet LiJet LiThe fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
as Kit Li - Kit used to work for the police, but left the force after losing his wife and son in a bomb threat he thought he had defused. He later became the personal body guard of Frankie and would even perform stunts for him when Frankie was inebriated. He is an expert martial artist and fights most of the major villains throughout most of the film. - Jacky CheungJacky CheungJacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
as Frankie Lone - Frankie was a famous and popular action movie star famous for doing all of his own stunts. In reality he was a very lazy and lecherous actor, often showing up drunk or trying to pick up women. Because of his constant slacking, he lost a lot of his edge, but reclaimed at the end of the movie when his dad was being beat up. His character is assumed to be a spoof of Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
and he fights similar to Bruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
. He even wears the yellow jump suit with the black trim during the film. - Kelvin Wong as The Doctor - The Doctor is the criminal mastermind behind the terrorist activities. He planted the bomb that killed Kit's wife and son.
- Valerie ChowValerie ChowValerie Chow, aka Rachel Shane in the US, is a Hong Kong actress.She has starred in numerous films and several television series, most memorably in Wong Kar-wai's internationally acclaimed 1994 feature, Chungking Express, which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 14th Hong...
as Fai-Fai - The Doctor's stiletto-heel and pantyhose wearing, machete-wielding partner. - Billy ChowBilly ChowBilly Chow , is an Chinese Canadian actor, martial artist and the former world kickboxing champion...
as Kong - One of the Doctor's henchmen. He is obsessed with Frankie Lone, even to the point of fantasizing about defeating him in a fight. - Chingmy YauChingmy YauChingmy Yau is a Hong Kong actress who no longer takes part in films although she is not formally retired.Yau entered the Hong Kong film industry after competing in the 1987 Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant....
as Helen - A tabloid reporter trying to make a name for herself by ruining Frankie Lone, if only Kit would stop trying to interfere. When he rescues her, she eventually falls in love with him. Played by Chingmy Yau. - Charlie YeungCharlie YeungCharlie Yeung Choi-Nei, sometimes spelled Charlie Young, is a Chinese film actress and singer. She was first noticed after appearing in a jewellery commercial with Aaron Kwok...
as Joyce - One of the girls working at the Hotel Grandeur. She is the reluctant girlfriend of rookie detective Chow Kam. - Yang Chung-Hsieng as Det. Chow Kam - A rookie policeman who also happens to be Joyce's boyfriend—if he could ever put the job behind him for a minute.
- Charlie ChoCharlie ChoCharlie Cho Cha Lee , a famous male actor in Hong Kong pornography films, especially during the 1980s. His over-acting approach can be regarded as one of the trademarks of Hong Kong soft porn films. He also worked in mainstream films, such as the Jackie Chan feature Police Story.-Feature Films:-TV...
as Charlie Tso - Frankie Lone's manager. Killed by the Doctor when he is thrown off the balcony of the Hotel Grandeur. - Suki Kwan - Li's Wife
- Corey YuenCorey YuenCorey Yuen Kwai is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and producer. He was a member of the Peking Opera Schools and one of the Seven Little Fortunes.-Life and career:...
- Wai - Wu MaWu MaWu Ma is a Chinese actor, director, producer and writer. Wu Ma made his screen debut in 1963, and with over 180 appearances to his name , Wu Ma is one of the most familiar faces in the history of Hong Kong Cinema...
as Frankie Lone's father
Box office
The film grossed a modest HK $11,403,790 in Hong Kong, where it was released as 鼠胆龍威 (High Risk, Rat's bravery and Dragon's might), which parodies the title of Die HardDie Hard
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
(虎膽龍威 Tiger's bravery and Dragon's might) in Hong Kong.
The movie takes a cinematic swipe at Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, with whom director Wong Jing had worked previously on the City Hunter live-action
Live action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
film. After its release, Chan not only disowned the film, but attacked Wong personally in the press. Through the character of Frankie Lone, Wong struck back by insinuating that Chan was actually a boozing womanizer and a fraud who did not really do his own stunts after all.