This is the fourth film I have seen starring Chiu Man-Cheuk (The Blade, The Blacksheep Affair, Body Weapon and Fist Power) and, of those, only The Blade left me impressed. Chiu Cheuk is a leading man with great screen presence and obvious Wu Shu talent, but he seems to pick bad projects in which to showcase his abilities.
In Fist Power, he plays Brian, a security officer who is visiting Hong Kong and becomes embroiled in the plight of Chau (Anthony Wong). Chau is an ex-soldier whose stepson is being repossessed by his ex-wife and her evil husband Chiu (Lung Fong), who doesn't care about the kid. They only need the boy in order to secure an inheritance. In a last desperate effort to be reunited with his stepson, Chau holds a school hostage until his demands are met. It is up to Brian to deliver the boy to the school before time runs out, and Chiu will do anything to try and stop him.
Basically, this plot is an excuse for one long chase interspersed with loads of fighting. This wouldn't be too bad, if it wasn't for the terrible direction and editing. Fights are shot too close-up and edited with too many quick cuts, resulting in confusion.
And don't even get me started on the scene with the lighter....
With a bigger budget and tighter direction, this could've been a lot better. According to IMDb, Chiu Man-Cheuk hasn't made anything since Fist Power – I hope someone gives him a chance soon to star in a film worthy of his skills.
