Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

That’s certainly the claim our spy is making today. I don’t think Hong Kong cinema is irrelevant today, but I think it’s definitely not the major force it was at one point. Still, there are some major talents working there now, and it sounds like this guy was blown away by this picture. It’s definitely on my radar now, and I’m always glad to get in reports like this:

Eye in the Sky
By: Jan Chik

Starring Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-fai
Directed by Yao Nai-hoi
Produced by Johnny To

“Eye in the Sky” is an eye-catching masterpiece which urgently reminds us that the Hong Kong Cinema is not dead yet. This vibrant crime thriller casts a ray of hope onto the struggling film industry over there, telling us there are still some new, daring filmmakers working with passion and creative ideas in Hong Kong.

The movie is about an inconspicuous yet important unit of Police Force --- the Surveillance Unit. The officers working in this unit mostly spend their time on endlessly waiting for their targets, following the suspects, setting up eavesdropping bugs and preparing tracking devices. They usually don’t need to participate in any action or use their guns. So how can a movie about people doing these boring jobs be so interesting? It’s because we have ignored the very nature of their job --- they can only do things in secret and cannot afford any minor mistake. Once their covers are blown, so is the whole operation. To spice up the dramatic elements, the villains in the movie are not stupid at all --- they also counter-surveillance to get away from the police. It’s a deadly cat-and-mouse game that is not only about physical strength but also about quick wit, patience and focus.

The setup of “Eye in the Sky” seems like another ordinary cop vs. crook story: A team of unsung heroes of the police force, the Surveillance Unit, is tracking a team of ruthless jewellery robbers. The Unit is headed by Wang (Simon Yam), an affable veteran who is currently looking for Shan (Tony Leung Ka-fai), who is believed to be the mastermind behind those high-profile jewellery heists. Bringing along the rookie Po (Kate Tsui), Wang teaches her how to deploy, how to follow the suspects and how to react and improvise when various situations arise. Seeing through the eyes of Po, it’s fascinating to see what the Surveillance Unit does, how they set up to trap the suspect, how they approach the target without blowing up their covers and how difficult it is to do such a seemingly simple job.

What extraordinary about this movie is everything looks so ordinary --- we see the characters mostly waiting in the cars, taking covers on the busy streets to avoid suspicion, following the targets at distance, looking for lookouts, hiding in the back alleys and then emerging again from the dark corners. But when these scenes add up together, the result is an adrenaline-rush thriller that draws you to the edge of your seat.

Most of the time, however, we only see the characters come and go on the streets during the pursuit without a fire of gunshot. If those scenes are not handled properly, either too long or too short, the audience will either find the scenes boring or confusing. But the director did a superb job to handle it just right. I wouldn’t be surprised if the director had spent lots of time on editing, re-shot the same scene over and over, and rehearsed the actors many times just for those few minutes of chase scenes.

This thriller is directed by rookie Yao Nai-hoi, who is also the scriptwriter of many Johnny To’s movies, such as “Return on Karma” and “Election.” As Johnny To’s protégé, his debut is stunning and did not disappoint. Leung, as the calculating villain, effectively portrays Shan as a cold-blooded evil who can kill someone without mercy and hesitation. On the other hand, Yam, as a professional actor, gives up his handsome look and dresses down as a common, clumsy man but also as an intelligent, caring and amiable leader. He should deserve the Best Actor nomination again this year. His student Po, played by Kate Tsui, also gives a convincing performance as a willing learner who becomes more matured and composed under the guidance of Wang.

“Eye in the Sky” is a hidden gem that doesn’t catch your attention at first glance. This thriller doesn’t have a lot of flashy gun battles. None of the main characters have ever used their guns. They simply seek and hide, trap and escape, follow and lure each other. Yet, the experience is unforgettably thrilling. The film is also about the friendship between a mentor and a student, a learning process for a rookie cop, and the ironic aspects of life. It’s an easily overlooked masterpiece that needs not only your eyes to watch, but also your heart to feel.

Jan Chik

(My minor complaint is its English subtitles. The translation is too plain. For example, when the cops are ordered to follow the villains, the command is “to follow and bite him tight.” But the English translation is only one word “Pursue.” I’m not a translator but just think they can do a better job for the translation.)