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Chasing the Dragon (2017), directed by Wong Jing and Jason Kwan, unfolds as a raw and captivating crime drama set in the turbulent streets of 1960s and 70s Hong Kong. The film follows Ng Sek‑Ho—known as “Crippled Ho”—an illegal immigrant from mainland China who sneaks into British‑colonized Hong Kong in 1963 with little more than determination and basic survival instincts.

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Ho’s ruthless ambition soon transforms him from a struggling newcomer into a powerful drug lord entrenched in Hong Kong’s underworld. He forges a dangerous alliance with Lee Rock—played by Andy Lau—a corrupt detective sergeant who uses his position in the police force to shield and benefit from Ho’s criminal empire.

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Set against the grim backdrop of Kowloon Walled City and the gritty reality of life under British colonial rule, the film delivers both stylized visuals and historical authenticity. Detailed recreations of the maze-like alleys, the flickering neon lights, and even the arrival of planes at Kai Tak Airport work together to evoke the era’s atmosphere, while a funky period soundtrack including classics like The Ghetto adds retro flair.

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Although Ho and Rock are criminals, the film paints them with a sympathetic brush: Ho is driven by desperation and familial duty, while Rock manipulates the corrupt police system to impose his own order on chaotic underworld factions. Despite their flaws, both emerge as anti‑heroes navigating a deeply flawed system where the true villain is arguably the exploitative colonial administration.

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The film does not shy away from action. It features gritty, visceral sequences—riots, brutal beatings, shootouts, and even inventive confrontations like using a bulldozer as a weapon—broadcasting both tension and raw physicality. Yet, despite the violence, the acting shines, with Donnie Yen delivering a commanding performance as the complex and calculating Crippled Ho, while Andy Lau brings depth to the morally ambiguous Lee Rock.

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The narrative builds toward an inevitable showdown, driven by the establishment of Hong Kong’s anti‑corruption agency (ICAC) in 1974 that threatens Ho and Rock’s uneasy dominion. Their rise and fall becomes not only a personal saga, but a commentary on power, corruption, and survival in a time when colonial privilege and systemic injustice reigned.

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Chasing the Dragon offers much more than gangster cinema—it’s a stylish period piece, a historical critique, and a showcase of powerful performances woven into a morally complex crime epic. Actual events inspire its core, but it’s the atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and emotional drive that give this film its lasting impact. It stands as a vivid and enthralling reflection on how individuals respond to and shape a system stacked against them.