Call of Heroes Film Review [危城] (2016) – Classic Action Revival

(This is Call of Heroes film review, which is an action film set in the Qing Dynasty of China)

Looking for some action filled old school justice kung fu film to occupy the stay home notice? Look no further than here. This is something not mainstream yet worth 120 minutes of your time. With major stars helming the film, we are presented with old fashioned, classic, and exciting film made in the new era in Call of Heroes.

It is directed by Benny Chan with action director Sammo Hung, and features Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Eddie Peng, Yuan Quan, Jiang Shuying and Wu Jing. Without further ado let’s delve into the Call of Heroes film review below!

Premise

Soldiers raid and warlord kills. A group of villagers fled to the nearest town, Pu Cheng, to seek refuge. But when the warlord’s son appeared in Pu Cheng without notice. He started a game with the local sheriff, a game that would cost half the population of town Pu Cheng. A group of villagers stood up against the evil warlord to protect their homeland, but at what price?

Call of Heroes Film Review

It’s a 2016 film. We’re already expecting alot of CGI and alot of technologies that will help the film. But this film brought the unexpected back. Yes this film is old school cinematic. What would you expect from a film that uses the old formula, a great one. All the actions filled with justice element, villain with a tad of psycho-ness, and lastly a great comeback from character developments and building relationships.

Much like other underrated hero movie from the past, Seven Swords (2005), as well as one directed by the same director as this, Benny Chan’s Shaolin (2011). Call of Heroes will keep you seated and enjoy its action filled scenes without any fancy CGI, loads of choreography, and weapons.

Call of Heroes will keep you seated and enjoy its action filled scenes without any fancy CGI

The antagonist, played by Louis Koo, has both a sadist and masochist nature in him. The protagonist, played by Sean Lau, is a man of justice, and a stubborn one. Paired with the witty Eddie Peng character, whose presence actually made this film less serious naturally.

Call of Heroes film review the war — The Great Village War

Overall this film has alot of synergies. It’s like old school meet new school. Eventually new faces will be taking over old ones, and as long as they stick to the same formula, it will be a good movie. And I quote from the film, ‘someone has to do it (righteous), in order for justice to exist.’

Call of Heroes Film Review [危城] (2016) – Classic Action Revival

Story

Pacing

Characters

Soundtrack

Reader Rating0 Votes0

What's good

The character development

The fight choreography with many types of weapon

Great villain

What's bad

The huge mountain of clay pots that got smashed 🙁

4.1

DAYUM!

Benny Chan delivers again with an unexpected gem!

With great choreography and character developments that are rarely seen in Hong Kong movies anymore, this serves as a fresh breath in the genre and is definitely a hidden gem!

[Call of Heroes film review score table]

Author Details

Author Details

Surya Dharma

Not your very typical Barista. Possess more collection of films, cameras and books than the average coffees. Writing is one of his multiple hobbies, and it’s the only hobby that could compile everything into one. When he’s not making any latte art, you can find him playing games for a start. Seeing is believing, so believe me when I said, I’ve watched, read or played. An amnesiac time traveller.

Surya.dharma0307@gmail.com