SPL: Sha Po Lang
Encyclopedia
SPL: Sha Po Lang (also known in the United States
as Kill Zone), is a 2005 Hong Kong martial arts
and crime film
written and directed by Wilson Yip
, starring Donnie Yen
, Sammo Hung
, Simon Yam
and Jing Wu. Yam portrays a retiring police detective who resorts to the use of questionable methods in order to catch Wong Po (Hung), a ruthless Triad boss.
The title, Sha Po Lang
refers to three words derived from Chinese astrology
that each represent a different star capable of good or evil depending on their position in the heavens.
Police Detective Chan (Simon Yam) has devoted his career to putting the notorious Triad boss Wong Po (Sammo Hung) behind bars. While escorting a witness with damning evidence of Wong Po's wrong doing to court, the police van is rammed at high speed by a car driven by the ruthless assassin Jack (Wu Jing). The wreck kills the witness and his wife, but spares the witness' young daughter. Detective Chan is left with a piece of glass in the back of his head. When the glass is removed, doctors notice a tumor
in Detective Chan's brain. He doesn't have long to live making Detective Chan all the more determined to bring down Wong Po.
Ma Kwun (Donnie Yen), a detective from another precinct, is assigned to take over the squad, composed of Wah (Liu Kai-chi), Kwok (Danny Summer), and Lok (Ken Chang). All the men are very protective of Chan, who has since adopted the slain witness' daughter.
When an undercover detective from the squad is killed, and video showing the murder surfaces, Chan and his detectives see a way to frame Wong Po, who is caught on tape swinging a golf club repeatedly at the undercover's face, injuring him but left him survive for a killer to finish the job. The detectives decide to alter the tape, intimidate a witness and eliminate the real killer.
Ma Kwun is upset when he discovers the deception by the squad, but assists in the arrest of Wong Po, which culminates in a brawl in the lobby of a department store with the rotund crime lord.
Lok goes to buy a gun to frame Wong Po with, and is killed by the knife-wielding Jack. Wah and Kwok are both eliminated by Jack as well.
Chan then goes to Wong Po's office alone, and is thoroughly beaten by the gangster.
Ma Kwun, in a dispute with his superiors over the handling of the case, turns in his badge and gun, and then goes to Wong Po's. He is met by Jack in the alley. Armed with only a baton
, Ma Kwun engages in intense martial arts
combat with the knife expert. Jack then wrestles the baton away but Ma Kwun manages to eviscerate
Jack with his own knife.
Ma Kwun then heads up to Wong Po's office to fight him, finding Chan strung up and unable to move. The fight ends seemingly when Ma Kwun backdrops Wong Po onto a tall display of glasses and bottles. Ma Kwun then sits down at the bar and starts to pour himself a drink. Detective Chan, still strung up starts to speak to Ma Kwun. Wong Po then suddenly gets up and charges at Ma Kwun, smashing him out the window. His wife makes a call to Wong Po just before Ma Kwun smashes onto the car she and her baby is in, killing all three of them instantly. When Wong Po gazes down at Ma Kwun's body, he notices the car underneath the body and realizes that it is his wife's car. Wong Po slumps down onto a stool and starts sobbing, broken with grief over his actions.
In the final scene, detective Chan and the witnesses' daughter are seen on a beach. As the daughter is playing near the shore however, Chan, finally succumbs to his tumor and dies.
, SPL opened in Hong Kong on 18 November 2005. It also premiered in the "Midnight Madness" program of the Toronto International Film Festival
in September that same year, at the Ryerson University
Theater.
Donnie Yen
won the 'Best Action Choreography' award at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards. The film was also awarded the "Film of Merit" at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
.
North American rights to the film were purchased by The Weinstein Company
, where Dragon Dynasty
released the movie as Kill Zone in a special DVD package that included many extras.
, who aimed for authenticity, which was possible with the presence of the veteran martial arts
actor and choreographer Sammo Hung
. The knife and baton fight between Donnie Yen
and Wu Jing was painstakingly choreographed to give it a look and feel of seeing the two actors spar. Although, as shown in the behind-the-scenes featurette in the US DVD release, and interviews with Donnie Yen
and Sammo Hung
, kicking the flying tantō
in mid-air was one of the only CGI
shots in the entire movie, because throwing a real tantō at the actor would have been extremely dangerous and risky.
, Simon Yam
, Sammo Hung
and Wu Jing reprising their roles from the original film. Director Wilson Yip
later reteamed with Donnie Yen
to direct the martial arts film
Flash Point
, which was also rumored to be a prequel to SPL.
Dennis Law
initially planned to make his own sequel to SPL, but realized his script had limited potential, and rewrote the script for his film, Fatal Move
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as Kill Zone), is a 2005 Hong Kong martial arts
Martial arts film
Martial arts film is a film genre. A sub-genre of the action film, martial arts films contain numerous fights between characters, usually as the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often as a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently...
and crime film
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
written and directed by Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip Wai-Shun is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. His films include Bio Zombie, The White Dragon, SPL: Sha Po Lang, Dragon Tiger Gate, Flash Point, Ip Man, and Ip Man 2.-Early career:...
, starring Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
, Simon Yam
Simon Yam
Simon Yam Tat-Wah , born March 19, 1955, is a Hong Kong actor and film producer.-Background:The son of a former police officer of Shangdong heritage, his father was a Hong Kong Royal Police ship captain who was murdered by his colleague....
and Jing Wu. Yam portrays a retiring police detective who resorts to the use of questionable methods in order to catch Wong Po (Hung), a ruthless Triad boss.
The title, Sha Po Lang
Sha Po Lang
Sha Po Lang are short for three stars in Chinese astrology.* 殺 — means Seven Killings and is the Power Star* 破 — means Army Breaker and is the Ruinous Star...
refers to three words derived from Chinese astrology
Chinese astrology
Chinese astrology is based on the traditional astronomy and calendars. The development of Chinese astrology is tied to that of astronomy, which came to flourish during the Han Dynasty ....
that each represent a different star capable of good or evil depending on their position in the heavens.
Plot
Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Police Detective Chan (Simon Yam) has devoted his career to putting the notorious Triad boss Wong Po (Sammo Hung) behind bars. While escorting a witness with damning evidence of Wong Po's wrong doing to court, the police van is rammed at high speed by a car driven by the ruthless assassin Jack (Wu Jing). The wreck kills the witness and his wife, but spares the witness' young daughter. Detective Chan is left with a piece of glass in the back of his head. When the glass is removed, doctors notice a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
in Detective Chan's brain. He doesn't have long to live making Detective Chan all the more determined to bring down Wong Po.
Ma Kwun (Donnie Yen), a detective from another precinct, is assigned to take over the squad, composed of Wah (Liu Kai-chi), Kwok (Danny Summer), and Lok (Ken Chang). All the men are very protective of Chan, who has since adopted the slain witness' daughter.
When an undercover detective from the squad is killed, and video showing the murder surfaces, Chan and his detectives see a way to frame Wong Po, who is caught on tape swinging a golf club repeatedly at the undercover's face, injuring him but left him survive for a killer to finish the job. The detectives decide to alter the tape, intimidate a witness and eliminate the real killer.
Ma Kwun is upset when he discovers the deception by the squad, but assists in the arrest of Wong Po, which culminates in a brawl in the lobby of a department store with the rotund crime lord.
Lok goes to buy a gun to frame Wong Po with, and is killed by the knife-wielding Jack. Wah and Kwok are both eliminated by Jack as well.
Chan then goes to Wong Po's office alone, and is thoroughly beaten by the gangster.
Ma Kwun, in a dispute with his superiors over the handling of the case, turns in his badge and gun, and then goes to Wong Po's. He is met by Jack in the alley. Armed with only a baton
Club (weapon)
A club is among the simplest of all weapons. A club is essentially a short staff, or stick, usually made of wood, and wielded as a weapon since prehistoric times....
, Ma Kwun engages in intense martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
combat with the knife expert. Jack then wrestles the baton away but Ma Kwun manages to eviscerate
Disembowelment
Disembowelment is the removal of some or all of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract , usually through a horizontal incision made across the abdominal area. Disembowelment may result from an accident, but has also been used as a method of torture and execution...
Jack with his own knife.
Ma Kwun then heads up to Wong Po's office to fight him, finding Chan strung up and unable to move. The fight ends seemingly when Ma Kwun backdrops Wong Po onto a tall display of glasses and bottles. Ma Kwun then sits down at the bar and starts to pour himself a drink. Detective Chan, still strung up starts to speak to Ma Kwun. Wong Po then suddenly gets up and charges at Ma Kwun, smashing him out the window. His wife makes a call to Wong Po just before Ma Kwun smashes onto the car she and her baby is in, killing all three of them instantly. When Wong Po gazes down at Ma Kwun's body, he notices the car underneath the body and realizes that it is his wife's car. Wong Po slumps down onto a stool and starts sobbing, broken with grief over his actions.
In the final scene, detective Chan and the witnesses' daughter are seen on a beach. As the daughter is playing near the shore however, Chan, finally succumbs to his tumor and dies.
Cast
- Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as Ma Kwun - Sammo HungSammo HungSammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
as Wong Po - Simon YamSimon YamSimon Yam Tat-Wah , born March 19, 1955, is a Hong Kong actor and film producer.-Background:The son of a former police officer of Shangdong heritage, his father was a Hong Kong Royal Police ship captain who was murdered by his colleague....
as Detective Chan Kwok Chung (An HKPD detective desperate to put Wong Po behind bars) - Jing Wu as Jack (Wong Po's deadly right hand man)
- Ken Chang as Lok Kwun Wah (One of Chan's close detectives, he is the youngest)
- Danny Summer as Kwok Tsz Sum (One of Chan's close detectives, he has long hair)
- Liu Kai-chi as Lee Wai Lok (One of Chan's close detectives, he is the most aggressive)
- Austin Wai as Cheung Chun Fei (Chan's superior)
- Vincent Sze as Chan Wai (Wong Po's hired murderer)
- Ching-Lam Lau as Hoi Yee
Festivals and awards
Hailed as a return to the classics of Hong Kong action cinemaHong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action film, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural...
, SPL opened in Hong Kong on 18 November 2005. It also premiered in the "Midnight Madness" program of the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
in September that same year, at the Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
Theater.
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
won the 'Best Action Choreography' award at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards. The film was also awarded the "Film of Merit" at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
The Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards are the annual awards given by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in Hong Kong, China since 1995. The awards are determined by votes cast in three rounds after a substantial discussion session between the members of the society...
.
Box office, DVD release
SPL opened in Hong Kong on 18 November 2005. In its first three days it grossed $2,166,088 HKD. It stayed in the number one position at the Hong Kong box office until 6 December http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/hongkong/2005/, and eventually grossed $7,425,473 HKD in its entire run http://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml?id=11030&display_set=eng. The figure was generally regarded as mildly successful given the overall state of the Hong Kong film industry and the Category III rating given to SPL, and the film would probably turn a modest profit once foreign sales and revenues were taken into account.North American rights to the film were purchased by The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company is an American film studio founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 2005 after the brothers left the then-Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979...
, where Dragon Dynasty
Dragon Dynasty
Dragon Dynasty is a joint venture started by The Weinstein Company and Genius Products. The company was created on May 23, 2006 for the sole purpose of distributing East Asian films on DVD in the US, whose licenses are held by, or will be acquired by The Weinstein Company...
released the movie as Kill Zone in a special DVD package that included many extras.
Production
The fight scenes were choreographed by Donnie YenDonnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, who aimed for authenticity, which was possible with the presence of the veteran martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
actor and choreographer Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
. The knife and baton fight between Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
and Wu Jing was painstakingly choreographed to give it a look and feel of seeing the two actors spar. Although, as shown in the behind-the-scenes featurette in the US DVD release, and interviews with Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
and Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
, kicking the flying tantō
Tanto
A is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
in mid-air was one of the only CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
shots in the entire movie, because throwing a real tantō at the actor would have been extremely dangerous and risky.
Sequel plans
A prequel to SPL has been rumored. It is said the it would star Donnie YenDonnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, Simon Yam
Simon Yam
Simon Yam Tat-Wah , born March 19, 1955, is a Hong Kong actor and film producer.-Background:The son of a former police officer of Shangdong heritage, his father was a Hong Kong Royal Police ship captain who was murdered by his colleague....
, Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
and Wu Jing reprising their roles from the original film. Director Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip Wai-Shun is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. His films include Bio Zombie, The White Dragon, SPL: Sha Po Lang, Dragon Tiger Gate, Flash Point, Ip Man, and Ip Man 2.-Early career:...
later reteamed with Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
to direct the martial arts film
Martial arts film
Martial arts film is a film genre. A sub-genre of the action film, martial arts films contain numerous fights between characters, usually as the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often as a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently...
Flash Point
Flash Point (film)
Flash Point is a 2007 Hong Kong film directed by Wilson Yip, featuring fight choreography by the film's producer and star Donnie Yen. Yen portrays Ma Jun, a police sergeant who plants his friend and partner, Wilson, as a mole in a pursuit against a triad led by three Vietnamese brothers .Flash...
, which was also rumored to be a prequel to SPL.
Dennis Law
Dennis Law Sau-Yiu
Dennis Law Sau-yiu is a Hong Kong film producer, screenwriter and director. He is the former chairman and executive director of Milkyway Image, and a founder of its subsidiary company Point of View Movie Production Co. Ltd...
initially planned to make his own sequel to SPL, but realized his script had limited potential, and rewrote the script for his film, Fatal Move
Fatal Move
Fatal Move is a 2008 Hong Kong action crime film written, produced and directed by Dennis Law. The film features a large ensemble cast which includes Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing, who reunite after 2005's SPL: Sha Po Lang...
.
See also
- Crime Story
- New Police StoryNew Police StoryNew Police Story is a 2004 Hong Kong action film starring Jackie Chan and directed by Benny Chan.The film is a reboot of the Police Story series. New Police Story relies much more on drama and heavy action than its predecessors.-Plot:...
- List of Hong Kong films
- List of Dragon Dynasty releases