Synopsis: Flitting between the 1980s and modern-day Hong Kong, Stuntman tells the tale of a washed-up Hong Kong stunt director who tries to make a comeback after throwing the towel in when one of his stuntmen got badly injured. But much like in the past, his passion for the business continues to hamper his relationship with his estranged daughter.

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Views: The directorial debut of twin actors and stuntmen Albert & Herbert Leung, who made their acting debut in the fun Twins Mission back in 2007, Stuntman is an emotionally charged and action packed film that sees a once-famous and highly regarded stunt-director (Sam) attempt to make a comeback. But in the process of doing so, his passion for life in the world of film soon interferes with his relationship with his estranged daughter once again. Supported by a young and highly passionate stuntman, Sam now must try to balance his love for both while delivering some of the best action of his life and keeping everyone around him safe from harm!

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Stuntman opens with an action scene set in the 1980s that clearly pays homage to Jackie Chan's Police Story (1985); shot in a shopping mall with tight fight action around escalators and glass cabinets. It's a scene that's obviously meant to highlight the glory days of Hong Kong action films, and a time and energy that so many film-makers today strive to bring back. Inspired by their own experiences as stuntmen in the film industry, the Leung brothers struck it lucky by securing the services of cast and crew members from the global box-office smash, Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In (2024) – the incredible Hong Kong action film of which Albert Leung himself appeared in. This includes (Walled In) presenter Angus Chan, who steps up as producer of Stuntman. Since entering the industry only a decade before, Chan has been behind films such as Gangster Payday (2014), The Brink (2017), Vampire Clean-up Department (2017), and many others and helps deliver a very polished production . Fan favourite and scene-stealer from Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In, Philip Ng, stars as the feisty action star called Wai, who owes his career to Sam but is reluctant to work with him on their new project in knowing his raw approach to action scenes. And the gorgeous Terence Lau stars as Long, the young stuntman who just wants to be accepted although is often bullied by others in the same profession, finally getting his break when Tung Wai names him as his new stunt coordinator. But the favour is returned when Long helps bridge the gap between Sam and his estranged daughter; played by Cecelia Choi who also starred in a brief role as Aaron Kwok's unfortunate wife in Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In...

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But for me, the spotlight was on the amazing and prolific Stephen Tung Wai who does an amazing job in his role as the retired stunt-master and troubled father Sam. Oozing emotion through his dramatic performance, that often brought a lump to my throat in the same way that Jackie Chan did during his scene of reflection in Ride On (2023), Tung Wai was the perfect choice to play such a character. Perhaps it's something only die-hard fans of true Hong Kong cinema will feel and recognise, in understanding the ups-and-downs of Hong Kong action cinema since its decline around the mid-to-late 90s. It was also great to see him back in a big screen outing and in such a prominent role. Of course, Tung Wai began his career as a child actor back in the mid-60s, and will forever be known as 'that kid who follows Bruce's finger' in Enter The Dragon (1973), but Stephen Tung Wai has done so much more – impressing as a kung-fu star in films such as Executioners From Shaolin (1977), The Mars Villa (1977), and Incredible Kung Fu Master (1979), as well as action films such as Return Engagement (1990), Hard Boiled (1992), Pom Pom & Hot Hot (1992), and Extreme Challenge (2001); one of four films of which he had directed alongside Magic Cop (1990), Fox Hunter (1995), and Jet Li's Hitman (1998). Here in Stuntman, his role as Sam is absolutely one of his most enjoyable in a long time.

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With some great moments of action; courtesy of choreographer Tommy Leung Pok Yan who also pops-up throughout and has worked in the action department on films such as We Are Legends (2019), Men On The Dragon (2018), S Storm (2016), Firestorm (2013), Shock Wave (2017), and Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In (2024) – fans will relish in learning some behind the scenes tricks as wire rigs, high falls, crashes, and gun fights are created on screen. And while most of, if not all, are done so on the fictional movie set, viewers do get to enjoy a few moments of editing genius as complete fight scenes pull us in and almost make us forget that we're watching a movie about film-makers. In one scene, Tung Wai's direction of a live-action scene during a robbery is intense, harking back to the days when many Hong Kong productions would shoot such scenes on the streets without a permit, often scaring the locals – or amazing them – as shoot-outs, fights, chases and car stunts would erupt at any time of the day. And that opening aforementioned homage to Police Story (1985) is just fantastic! I must also note that you stick around for the final scene that creeps in just after a pre-credit blooper reel that, much like many of Jackie Chan's incredible films of the time, highlights the work, pain, energy, and mistakes that go into creating action scenes.

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Although more realistic than Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In (of which it will no doubt be compared to because of its connections), Stuntman still proves to be a stunning directorial debut from the Leung brothers that delivers some fantastic moments of action, lump in the throat emotional drama, and an incredible insight to how Hong Kong action cinema works – something that will hopefully educate this new generation of Asian film fans, and will definitely transport-back those of us who have been engrossed for decades. While it is perhaps only coincidental that this Stuntman should come only months after Hollywood's box-office hit, The Fall Guy (2024), both are very different experiences with the latter aiming for the commercial market with its over-the-top comedy and silly action scenes. This, on the other hand, offers a tribute of sorts to past heroes of Hong Kong cinema, with it's impressive action scenes, nostalgia, passion and spirit. Kudos to all involved in delivering such a wonderful piece of entertainment that plays like a love-letter to the Hong Kong action films and stars of yesteryear!

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Overall: Hugely enjoyable, emotional and exciting, Stuntman plays like a love-letter to the Hong Kong action cinema of the 1980s and makes the most of its fantastic cast!