There’s no doubt Hong Kong knows how to do action films. John Woo is probably the most famous action director out of the country, and continues to show us this time and time again. His influence on the filmmakers of Asian cinema world continues with “The Viral Factor.” Did critics and moviegoers feel the movie lives up to Hong Kong’s action film reputation?
Most critics found the movie to be a letdown. Nick Pinkerton of the Village Voice reported, “It’s an overloaded, overwrought, profligate production inclined to hysteria and, in cumulative effect, something like being pelted with scenes until buried alive.” Globe and Mail’s Stephen Cole wrote, “Tediously overwrought and drably made, with scenes punctuated by synthesized drums out of eighties American TV drama.” Robert Abele of Los Angeles Times complained, “It takes a special kind of action director to use chaotic, human-filled public spaces for high-energy foot chases, auto stunts and gun battles yet never once get under the skin with a sense of genuine danger.”
I could only find one positive review for “The Viral Factor.” Brett Michel of The Boston Phoenix reported, “[Director] Dante Lam’s latest still gets the job done from a run-and-gun standpoint. Yes, standard stuff, but Chou and Tse have the chops for this brand of socky.”
Audiences enjoyed the action of the film much more than critics. Rhia J. stated, “Went to see it because of Jay Chou and Nicholas Tse, but ended up really enjoying the movie … The characters in the film actually seem like real people … Good mix of action in here, something for everybody without being overdone and sloppy.”
Jorge Z. declared, “Not only is this film packed with over the top action sequences, but [it] has plenty of emotional impact, between Jon and his brother with a little subplot. You want some intense action for two hours … this is the film.” Mike A. said, “Instead of Hollywood releasing a big blockbuster around the world at the same time, Asia is beating them at their own game! Enough explosions and gun play for anyone.”
There were only a few complaints from moviegoers about “The Viral Factor.” Chey Y. remarked the “Characters are as predictable as always.” M. Best said the movie was “Full of multi-layered coincidental happenings that the audience will find … unconvincing and unbelievable. If only they had paid more attention to the script instead of the action. Most of the acting is good except for Jay Chou who looks lost throughout the movie.”
Dante Lam directed “The Viral Factor.” It stars Jay Chou, Lin Peng, Nicholas Tse, Bing Bai, Andy Tien, and Liu Kai-Chi. The movie is Unrated but features violence. It was released through China Lion Films in limited theaters on January 20, 2012.
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Eric Shirey is the founder and former editor of Rondo Award nominated movie news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other entertainment websites. Eric has interviewed and worked with actors like Harrison Ford, Brooke Shields, Gerard Butler, Brendan Fraser, Selena Gomez, and many more.
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