Product description The Corruptor .com Nick Chen (Chow Yun-Fat) is not your average New York cop. Working in Chinatown has its multifarious cultural nuances and its fair share of ubiquitous enticement, both of which are reflected in detective Chen's weary face. He had to get into bed with the highest echleons of the Chinese Mafia as a way of augmenting his own career, while maintaining a semblance of control over the dime-a-dozen hoods who proliferate on this turf. To make matters worse, he now has to break in rookie detective Danny Wallace (Mark Wahlberg), who has asked to be assigned to the Chinatown division. Apparently Wallace is infatuated with all things Chinese, or is suffering from "Yellow Fever," as his fellow colleagues would have us believe. Chen, not one to suffer fools gladly, takes young Wallace under his protective wing, oft-warning the shady powers of the neighborhood not to sink Danny into their sordid pool of corruption. But before he knows it, both he and Wallace are caught in a deadly ring of double-crosses, shady-dealings, murders, and car chases. And all of this under the suspicious eye of Internal Affairs. Part Serpico and part Hard Boiled, this film seems at first to be a major departure from director James Foley's previous work. However, Foley has frequently revealed a keen eye and understanding for emotionally complex relationships, especially between teacher and pupil (Glengarry Glen Ross) or father and son (At Close Range). This movie is no different. In fact, Foley's meticulous attention to the relationship between the wise, morally burdened Chen, and the naïve, innocent Wallace morphs this otherwise tedious plot into a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Hats off to Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg, whose sympathetic chemistry creates an authentic and deeply personal connection, a factor that proves crucial to the film's poignant, disturbing finale. --Jeremy Storey
A**R
Yellow Fever, ha ha ha.
I initially got this movie because I remember watching it some years ago when I lived in Germany and there was a time when my father and I decided to make up the time to swing by faster by renting movies almost every day or every week at least and watching them through; movies I'd never even really heard or seen. Usually they were kung fu movies and such, but every now and then we'd pick up a movie that would seem to pass the entertainment radars for us (when you're an American in Germany, it's REALLY hard to find American movies or their debuts to hit overseas as it takes at least 6 months, if you're lucky, to almost 2 years just for an American movie to come out... can you imagine? While you read on the news that somewhere in California the Matrix has started, you'd have to wait an extra few months just to watch, or something like that-- I just use the Matrix as an example.)The Corruptor was one of those movies and sadly, we'd ended up watching the movie on DVD because it just never showed up in the bigscreens there. So anyway, I remember watching this movie and thought about how insanely deep this movie was. All the stuff about Chinese gangs, crime, the asian-flare of a metropolis society and how everyone seems not to care-- plus it has Mark Wahlberg who's one of my most favorite hollywood actors. More importantly, it also houses CHOW YUN FAT!!! Not only does it have a favorite actor of mine but has an amazing chinese kung fu actor! Performances from both these actors really stock you in for the vicious ride and twists this movie has for a plot and the action that befits it isn't over the top since the setting is basically China Town.In a way I wanna say this is like Law & Order meets Shaft, but that's a disheartening comparison except to say that it has the crime story scene with the heart-pounding action of the latter but intensified ten fold. The cinematography is astounding, the characters, protagonist and antagonists, all are a great bunch to watch intermingle with and against one another and it's a really good movie worth the watch; the least to say, own.Really, if you dig cop movies, this is your hit.If you dig drama, this movie's your bag.If you dig action, this movie's your well-given shot.Seriously top notch stuff and glad I came across it years ago. The fond memory of it being the thing that pulled me back to watch and own it now.
M**.
the movie is intensely mediocre, Chow Yun Fat is amazing
This is worth seeing if you're a fan of Chow Yun Fat, along with The Replacement Killers, which were both produced around the same time, when the US was seeing whether he would be accepted by American audiences as a new action hero here. Sadly, that didn't really happen and more's the pity.This movie, with a fairly thin premise, delivers a lot of groan and eye roll moments, but I've seen it a few times because it features a terrific performance from Chow Yun Fat, as always. The man has charisma, presence and acting chops for days. If you're a fan, it's worth the time just for that element. But it goes without saying that his best work can be found in his movies with John Woo.
R**B
Chow Yun Fat makes another classic movie.
If you asked me to choose between The Corruptor and The Replacement Killers, I would have to say The Corruptor is a far better film. I felt like the chemistry between Chow Yun Fat and Mark Wahlberg was quite better than the chemistry between Chow Yun Fat and Mira Sorvino. Nick Chen (Chow Yun Fat) is an honest good police officer who welcomes in Danny Wallace (Mark Wahlberg) a cop brought into the war between the NYPD and the Fukinese Dragon Triad Gang led by ruthless leader Bobby Vu (Byron Mann). Let me tell you something about Mann, Byron Mann is so underrated its criminal. He was great in Street Fighter, in Wu Assassins, in Catwoman, in The Man with the Iron Fists, and he was outstanding in this film. This film is the epitome of 90s action films and how beautifully they were filmed, how great the screenplays were back then, how great the action was, and how great the production was. Mind you, they had far less technology than we have today. Personally, there have only been a few action films nowadays that can stack up with the action movies of the 80s and 90s. The Blu Ray quality at 1080p is superior than the 1080i broadcast version. There is so much detail it wasn't able to see when they aired the film on Encore. I'm hoping for a 4K release but I'm not betting on it. If you love solid action films watch the Corruptor. You won't regret it!
S**K
Not a bad Cop Film
I admit, I'm a little biased. I love cop flicks. This one wasn't too bad. It starts off with a bang, literally. A store in Chinatown blows up and the violence begins.This story sets itself in the fictional 15th Precinct in Chinatown. If you are a New Yorker and live on the Lower East Side, then you'll recognize all the spots.In Chow Yun Fat's real US debut, he tries his best to be the actor he was in Hong Kong. If it weren't for his accent, he'd probably fared better in the film. Hong Kong style filming and gunplay takes precedence in this film. Truthfully, there is more gunplay here in the film than the NYPD has seen in the last 20 years.There were many technical flaws. Most would not be seen by the untrained eye. Chow gets shot in the end with a big bullet hole. Same goes for a bunch of cops in a Vice bust. My question, where were their bullet resistant vests?! Look out for the way MArk Wahlberg butchers a radio call. He uses language not used on REAL NYPD communications. There are more things to look out for but I digress.Overall, I like the film, the plot and some of the portrayal. Most of all, I love the fact it was filmed in NYC. All films and shows pertaining to New York City should be filmed in New York City. Also, if you are missing the World Trade Center, they do a nice flyby of the city skyline.
E**S
Multicultural environment
Just a good movie demonstrating the difficulties of policing a multicultural environment
D**E
Great crime drama
Locale is China town in San Francisco. Great story line, movie flows well and you feel you're right in the story with the actors. Fast moving,not dull.
R**G
Action
One of Walburgs early action movies about corruption in NYPD in Chinatown. What did you expect?? Hate the cops even earlier. Hate the protectors of our liberties. Thanks
T**E
I'll have a number 4.
Far better than average triad in New York shoot-em-up. Excellent use of chinatown & tribeca locations. Decent work from supporting cast although not totally convinced by leads. Sound and vision top notch.
J**J
Five Stars
Fantastic film, very underrated, two of my favourite actors of all time are in this!
G**S
Bargain
Good quality ,bargain
M**K
Delivered promptly, no issues with DVD or case.
Delivered promptly, no issues with DVD or case.
M**S
the coruptor
its a very good film for anyone who likes mark wahlberg, its not what you think the ending is surprising
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3 weeks ago
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