CESIUM FALLOUT (焚城) (2024)

Genre: Drama/Disaster
Director: Anthony Pun
Cast: Andy Lau, Karen Mok, Bai Yu, Tse Kwan-Ho, Ivana Wong, Fish Liew, Bowie Lam, Michael Chow, Kent Cheng, Kenny Wong, Michael Wong, David Chiang
Runtime: 2 hrs 18 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Disturbing Scenes)
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 7 November 2024

Synopsis: In 1996, Financial Secretary Simon Fan’s inspection exemption for shipping containers led to a tragic fire at Kwai Chung Container Terminal, claiming the life of his wife, which sparked a bitter feud with his brother-in-law, firefighter Kit Li. A decade later, a fire at a recycling plant reveals radioactive readings, prompting a citywide emergency declaration as panic ensues. Simon, now a disaster recovery consultant, discovers the plant is owned by the same group responsible for the earlier disaster. To contain the crisis, he proposes detonating nearby structures to create a vacuum, but faces legal hurdles involving the current Financial Secretary, Cecilia Fong. As Kit and his team bravely attempt to implement this dangerous plan, the fate of Hong Kong hangs in the balance, raising questions about accountability for past corruptions.

Movie Review:

Of course you can count on Andy Lau (or the character he plays, anyway) to save the day. The superstar’s latest project is a blockbuster that is also branded as Hong Kong’s first radiation disaster flick, and boy, just looking at the star studded lineup is enough to blow you away.

Besides Lau, Karen Mok also headlines the movie, supported by characters brought to life by male veteran Hong Kong stars like Tse Kwan-Ho, Bowie Lam, Kent Cheng and David Chiang. The female cast members are notable as well, with Ivana Wong, Fish Liew and Louise Wong taking on different roles. The movie is a co production between Hong Kong and China, which probably explains why Chinese actor Bai Yu has a meaty part in the story. Several young idols from Hong Kong like Dee Ho and Jeffrey Ngai show up as well.

The fictitious story is as bombastic as the movie’s ensemble cast. Taking place in 2007, where illegal garbage smuggling leads to an accidental nuclear radioactive leak in a workplace site. If the situation is not brought under control, the lives of millions of citizens will be destroyed.

To manage the crisis, nuclear radiation expert (Lau) is called upon to be part of a taskforce led by acting chief executive (Mok). While the two bicker over differing views in the board room, a team of firefighters (played by Bai, Tse and other testosterone charged male actors) are trying to diffuse the situation on site. To prevent a catastrophe, the water soluble radioactive substance must be managed before a monsoon reaches Hong Kong.

There is hardly any moment for audiences to take a breath throughout the movie, as the severity of the incident keeps escalating, and one sudden obstacle shows up after another. It is clear that the filmmakers are not going for subtlety. What viewers are going to get are 138 glorious minutes of fires and explosions, coupled with dramatic showdown between characters and inevitable courageous sacrifices. You will be riled up when the politicians in the board room display cowardice, and emotionally engaged when the gungho firefighters are trying to save their comrades who are stuck in the rubbles.

It is also interesting to note that Lau’s character was a politician who played a part in allowing Hong Kong to become a dumping ground for unregulated waste from overseas 10 years prior in 1997 (i.e. the year of the handover), suggesting that the movie is making also a statement about the state’s customs protocols.

The high budget production is helmed by Anthony Pun, and this is his third full length movie after Extraordinary Mission (2017) and One More Chance (2023). Pun is also known as one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated cinematographers, having won awards for his work on The Silent War (2012) and The Goldfinger (2023). Hence, it is only natural that he takes on the responsibility of cinematography for his latest feature, and the result is a series of visual spectacles that capture the various moods throughout the story, ranging from tension, anxiety, despair, and eventually, hope.  

Movie Rating:

(A visual spectacle that's bombastic and emotionally engaging)

Review by John Li