THE MISSION Asian New Classics

Taut and atmospheric, Johnnie To’s instant Hong Kong neo-classic, THE MISSION, shows that To Kei-Fung is one of the “few Hong Kong filmmakers who can deliver the goods-and this is one of his best.

A respected crime boss is almost murdered. Five bodyguards are recruited to protect him and his family. A simple “mission;” but in Hong Kong-with mixed loyalties and misplaced passions-the path is not so straight. As the bodyguards protect their boss from situations here and there, they must also unravel the mystery of who has ordered the hit.

Well-crafted, with characters etched from the school of cool, THE MISSION keeps you on edge from beginning to end. Gun play is at the fore, of course, and so well-choreographed that it satisfies as only the best Hong Kong action films can do.