THE BLACKSHEEP AFFAIR (1998) Directed By Lam Wai-lun Action Director: Ching Siu-tung Starring: Zhao Wen Zhou, Shu Qi (Hsu Chi), Andrew Lin Hoi, Ken Wong Hop Hey, Kenneth Tsang Kong, Joe Cheung Tung-cho, Hung Yan-yan

Reviewed by Ron Murillo

Yim Dong, is a Mainland Special Forces officer who disobeys orders by dispatching a terrorist who has killed his partner. His punishment is to become part of the security force for the Chinese ambassador to the former Soviet country of Lavernia. In short order, he runs afoul of a Japanese terrorist named Kaizo Mishima and is reunited with a former lover, Chan Pun (Shu Qi), who fled China after participating in the Tianannmen Square protests. The film exploits an undercurrent of racism to create a "siege" scenario for the Asian participants (after capturing Mishima, Yim Dong has to suffer the indignity of seeing the Lavernia policemen he turned his prisoner over to receive medals; during a riot caused by Mishima's followers, Chan Pun is mistaken for a Japanese and set upon by outraged citizens). When Chinese boat refugees show up in the harbor, the Lavernia government decides to help them, using the immigrants as a bargaining chip to force Yim Dong and his security unit to smuggle Mishima out of the area. But, for all the action, social commentary, and romance, Blacksheep Affair never rises above being a popcorn movie, with one gun battle after another and interesting (but, in some cases, overly-wired) fight scenes. Zhao Wen-zhou does a credible job as Yim Dong, but Shu Qi is again stereotyped as the "girlfriend"--spending most of her time crying, worrying, or sulking.