Today’s quick review: Meltdown. Two years after losing his wife to the ruthless terrorist known as the Doctor (Kelvin Wong), Kit Li (Jet Li) has taken a job as a stuntman and bodyguard for martial arts superstar Frankie Lone (Jacky Cheung). Kit gets a chance at redemption when the Doctor and his men storm a hotel gala and take dozens of hostages, including Frankie, his father (Wu Ma), and a brave reporter named Helen (Chingmy Yau).
Meltdown is a Hong Kong action comedy starring Jet Li and Jacky Cheung. Meltdown blends high-stakes action with ridiculous comedy against the backdrop of a volatile hostage situation. What the movie lacks in finesse, it makes up for in energy. The stunts are over-the-top, with plenty of gunplay, explosions, and hand-to-hand combat. The comedy stems from a goofy cast of hostages, who bumble and plead their way through the Doctor’s attack.
The downside is that Meltdown is not a very tightly written movie. It actually fares better than some of its peers in that the plot is coherent and the character motivations remain consistent. But between a needlessly convoluted setup, a cluttered cast, and the tonal whiplash of swapping between violence and humor, the movie never really comes together as a whole.
Meltdown is a fine popcorn watch for fans of the action genre. The movie does not have the delicate balance needed to make its action work with its comedy, and it lacks the iconic moments of the best films in either genre. But taken as a light romp that follows its whims, Meltdown finds a modest niche. Lenient viewers should give it a shot, while more exacting ones should steer clear.
For a less action-oriented film with a similar relationship between an actor and his stuntman, try Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. For an iconic action film with a similar premise, try Die Hard. For a Hong Kong action film with similar plot elements and a more serious tone, try New Police Story or Police Story: Lockdown.
[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114437/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for loose but enjoyable entertainment.