There’s been a growing and noticeable trend in China and Hong Kong when it comes to action and martial arts films, that being that many of the best ones are making their debut on streaming platforms like Youku and iQiyi rather than theaters. “Hunt the Wicked” is one of the latest major testimonies to that paradigm shift as an explosive and exhilarating martial arts action film combining the complex stunts and fight choreography of ‘90s Hong Kong action movies with a distinctly “John Wick”- esque blend of gunplay and martial arts. Bolstered by the performances of its two leading action heroes Xie Miao and Andy On, “Hunt the Wicked” is a continuous blast of action that no kung fu or gun fu aficionado should let slip past them!
Trailer
Cast
Xie Miao and Andy On lead “Hunt the Wicked” as rival protagonists and gradual allies Huang Mingjin and Wei Yunzhou, with Shaung Hong playing Wei’s wife Na Mei. Andrew Lin also appears as the ruthless villain Song Pa a.k.a. King Long, with Anson Leung playing Li Qing, along with Jane Wu playing Na Ti Li and Jing Gu playing Tian Yu.
Plot
In the city of Wusuli, drug lord Song Pa hides behind the codename of King Long and maintains a public mask as a powerful politician, with his latest drug, codenamed “Spider Ice”, being unleashed onto the streets as he continues to consolidate power in the city’s criminal underworld. Police detective Huang Mingjin leads the charge on putting a stop to the drug’s distribution, only to run into an unexpected opponent in Wei Yunzhou, who inexplicably derails Huang’s latest operation to bring King Long down. While Huang initially suspects Wei to be a rival drug lord, he gradually comes to understand that Wei has his own vendetta against King Long, whose operation also includes human trafficking, with Wei’s wife having previously Na Mei been used to smuggle drugs for King Long alongside many other kidnapped women. With both Huang and Wei determined to bring down King Long for good, the two gradually find themselves becoming allies in their united mission.
Action
Like The “John Wick” Gun-Fu/Martial Arts Combo? You’ll Love “Hunt The Wicked”!
With all the talk of how much the “John Wick” franchise has completely changed how action movies are made, one question that’s been on the mind of this writer for years has been “When are we going to see the Chinese John Wick?” While “Hunt the Wicked” doesn’t position either of its protagonists as a John Wick archetype or do any kind of similar world-building, it definitely takes plenty of influence from the Baba Yaga’s approach to fight choreography and gunplay as interweaving and complimentary components. Right from the opening heist mission of Wei and Na Mei to swipe a drug sample from a lab, “Hunt the Wicked” is packed to the gills with close-quarters gun-fu and martial arts combat with the clear DNA of “John Wick”. “Hunt the Wicked” keeps that exuberant style of action coming deftly in quantity and quality alike, and greatly showcases the strengths of its two leading men.
The Andy On Action Movie Winning Streak Continues (& Xie Miao Is Rapidly On The Come Up)
Remember when the Jet Li-less sequel “Black Mask II: City of Masks” dropped in 2001, bringing the goofiest villain plot of all-time to the goofiest superhero movie ever made with the most outlandish wire-fu action of its time? That was Andy On’s humble beginning in the Hong Kong action movie industry, and talk about paying your dues. With more and more of the best Chinese action movies finding their main home on streaming, Andy On has been thriving and growing into one of the most consistent and captivating action stars around. With On’s recent streak of outstanding action films reaching Donnie Yen-levels of sheer wow-ness, “Hunt the Wicked” is On at his most confidant and physically dexterous, On an absolute dynamo in his action scenes and anti-hero charisma as .
So, too, it must be said for Xie Miao in his portrayal of the more straight-and-narrow Huang. The childhood Wushu champion has been climbing up the martial arts movie totem pole at the same pace as On, Miao gradually embodying a modern-day Jet Li in his breakout hits of the “Eye for an Eye” movies and “Ip Man: The Awakening”. Xie Miao’s physicality in his ever complex and captivating fight scenes combined with his excellent embodiment of the dedicated cop Huang puts “Hunt the Wicked” right on his greatest hits list (along with setting anticipation higher than ever for his role in the ensemble of Kenji Tanigaki’s upcoming Hong Kong action lightning rod “The Furious”.)
Xie Miao vs. Andy On Is The Standout Fight Of “Hunt The Wicked”
While there are plenty of excellent gun-fu battles and martial arts fights in “Hunt the Wicked”, the highlight is easily Xie Miao and Andy On’s one-on-one in one of the dug operation’s warehouses. You want and expect a great hand-to-hand exchange from two martial arts movie veterans like Miao and On, and you most certainly get that here, but even better is the fight’s insane adaptation of traditional Chinese weapons into a modern cop movie context. On’s signature weapon in “Hunt the Wicked” is a dagger on the end of a rope that he unleashes with the speed and accuracy of Scorpion firing his spear. Few modern uses of a makeshift rope dart will leave as many viewers mentally proclaiming “Get Over Here!” as On’s bladed combat does.
Even wilder is Xie Miao’s use of a sledgehammer that in the fight that itself gets turned into an impromptu rope dart after being attached to a chain, and with far more of a wrecking ball effect when the Wushu master puts it to work. All on its own, Xie Miao and Andy On’s smackdown makes “Hunt the Wicked” a must-see for kung fu fanatics.
“Hunt The Wicked” Ends Its Action-Packed Tale On A ‘90s Hong Kong-Style Finale
The third act of “Hunt the Wicked” also throws several plot twists and character reveals into play that will go unspoiled here. What won’t go unspoiled is the action-packed thrill ride that is our two protagonist’s invasion of the villain’s sewer-based hideout, which delivers a superb one-shot action sequence in which the movie’s gun-fu-martial arts combo is delivered at its most fast-paced and unrelenting best. Single-take action fans, “Hunt the Wicked” has you covered with the zeal and energy of glorious ‘90s style Hong Kong action and contemporary “John Wick” action all at once.
Summary
Lovers of ‘80s and ‘90s era Hong Kong action movies will undoubtedly find pure nirvana and then some in “Hunt the Wicked”, as will fans of both the rising golden of streaming Chinese action films. Xie Miao and Andy On both brings physicality, energy, and charisma galore to their roles, with the movie keeping the action plentiful, complex, fast, and varied from start to finish. With the possible exception of Donnie Yen’s Caine, the world might not properly have a Chinese John Wick yet, but “Hunt the Wicked” shows the great potential of that style of action in a Hong Kong-style action flick, and it’s a potential that should both excite action fans and make “Hunt the Wicked” a real show-stopping good time indeed!
Favourite Quotes
- “My wife is calling me home for dinner.” – Wei Yunzhou, departing his and Huang Mingjin’s stalemate after their fight.
Trivia
- Prior to his work in Hong Kong and Chinese action movies, Xie Miao was a Wushu competitor, winning multiple champions in his youth.
- Xie Miao is also well known for portraying Jet Li’s son on-screen twice in “The New Legend of Shaolin” and “My Father is a Hero”.
- Director Huo Suiqiang previously directed Andy On in “Blind War”.
Hunt the Wicked now avaiable on streaming and Blu-ray from Well Go USA!
