Today’s quick review: Line Walker. Two years after the death of Superintendant Hong, Inspector Q (Francis Ng) and Ding Siu Ka (Charmaine Sheh) receive contact from Blackjack, one of Hong’s undercover agents whose identity data was corrupted. Following Blackjack’s clues, the detectives investigate the Tak Mou Group, a drug cartel run by Tung Pak Ho (Li Guangjie), and two of its rising stars: Lam (Nick Cheung) and his partner Shiu (Louis Koo).
Line Walker is a Chinese action movie about an undercover investigation of a powerful criminal organization. Left with no concrete information as to Blackjack’s identity, Q and Ding must tread carefully to bring down the Tak Mou Group, which is undergoing an internal power struggle. Line Walker features a clever hook, an intricate plot with plenty of twists, and polished action scenes, making it well worth a watch for the right viewer.
Line Walker has a flair for the dramatic. The plot covers a lot of ground, beginning with the hunt for Blackjack and escalating into a full-blown gang war between Tung’s subordinates. The twists are enough to keep things from getting stale, even if the movie does overplay them a bit. The action is another big draw, a mixture of car chases, shootouts, and knife fights that are choreographed well and have plenty of energy.
The main drawback of Line Walker is that it is hard to follow. The movie does its best to keep the audience well-informed, but the nature of the plot means that it has to play coy with important information. Line Walker is also aggressive with its plot twists, never missing an opportunity for a dramatic reversal. All of this makes keeping track of the characters and their loyalties difficult, but the task is ultimately manageable.
How much you get out of Line Walker will depend on your tastes. Its convoluted plot has a fair amount of payoff for those willing to follow it, and its action shows unusual polish. At the same time, it is missing the sharp focus and simple humanity of some of the best crime movies, meaning that it will miss the mark for a lot of viewers. Give it a shot if you are interested, but borderline viewers should approach with caution.
For another Hong Kong crime thriller about an undercover cop, try Infernal Affairs. For one with a similar setup but a shakier story, try Special ID. For the American spy movie equivalent, try the original Mission: Impossible. For a more down-to-earth undercover cop drama, try The Departed or Donnie Brasco.
[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5896962/). I give it a 7.0 for an entertaining plot and plenty of action, both of which can be hit-or-miss.