The Rebel by Charlie Nguyen (2007)
26 June 2008A Vietnamese actioner, much in the vein of recent Thai action films, it is low budget, and doesn’t have much depth of character, but it has great action, and a decent story. This one gives itself an excuse for the action by setting itself during the French Occupation of VIetnam in the 1920’s. This is a must see for any action film buff, and will soon be easier tog et because the Weinstein Company has picked it up, of course that means it could sit on the shelves for the next 2 years while everyone watches it, but this one is pretty hard to find with English subtitles, so many will have to wait for the US release. And it is cool to see someone direct his brothers in a film.
In 1920’s French Colonial Vietnam Le Van Cuong (Johnny Nguyen) is an officer working for the French government along with his boss Sy (Dustin Nguyen who was in 21 Jump Street all those years back, ha!). Cuong has a father (Chanh Tin Nguyen) who is an opium addict, and has never really questioned what he is doing because he is following the law, but things will soon change. Cuong is there for an assassination attempt on a French official, and kills his first rebel. The official is killed, but the rebels are taken, especially their leader the young and beautiful Vo Thanh Thuy (Veronica Ngo Thanh Van) whose father is a wanted rebel leader. Sy wants to use Thuy to get to her father, but Cuong has a different idea, and something is stirred by the sight of this beautiful young girl fighting for what she believes in.
REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…
Cuong helps her escape, and secrets her to his house, and is going to get her out of town, but first he wants to go see his father, and Sy sends people there, and they get the father, though Cuong and Thuy manage to escape on top of a truck of prisoners headed to a prison camp.
Sy tortures Cuong’s father and kills him, removing his eye to show Cuong.
Cuong and Thuy end up in the prison camp working, and separated, but trouble starts when Thuy gives food to a couple who have been denied food by the French working in the camp, but it gives Cuong an opportunity to steal a motorcycle, and the two make their escape.
She still doesn’t trust him, and says they are heading to the train, but they stay in a temple and end up making love, but the next day Cuong realizes Sy has been there, and goes to fight his lieutenants. Thuy sees this fight and helps Cuong to leave, and they head for their village, not knowing that Sy is right on their tale with is men.
Sy comes in and then manage to grab Thuy’s father and get him on a train, and are going to execute everyone else, but Cuong manages to get them free, and they go to save Thuy’s father.
Sy being the bastard that he is ends up killing his French leader, and is going to blame it on the rebels, but instead Cuong and Thai attack and manage to defeat and kill Sy.
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Really an enjoyable action film. I can’t wait to see a good print of this movie.
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