STUNTMAN (武替道) (2024)

Genre: Drama/Action
Director: Albert Leung, Herbert Leung
Cast: Terrance Lau, Tung Wai, Philip Ng, Cecilia Choi Yao
Runtime: 1 hr 54 min
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website:

Opening Day: 3 October 2024

Synopsis: LEE Sam (TUNG Wai) was the undisputed king of stunt choreography during the golden era of Hong Kong action cinema in the 80s. After a devastating accident, Sam has stepped away from the industry for 30 years. His old friend, a veteran director, persuaded Sam to work as the stunt choreographer on his last film. However, the film stars Wai (Philip NG) – Sam’s former stunt crew member who has become a famous action star. As Sam returns to the world he once dominated, he must confront his past and overcome his personal conflict with Wai to deliver an epic final action spectacle for the director’s swan song…

Movie Review:

The leading man of this Hong Kong movie is Tung Wei, a 66 year old gentleman whom you have never seen on screen before. But his performance as an action choreographer who is trying his best to keep up with the times is so heartfelt, you will be tremendously moved. Perhaps this role is specially created for Tung, who is a veteran action choreographer in real life.

And that’s why it’s fitting to know a bit about Tung’s career that has spanned decades. Much respect has to go to the man who first joined showbiz as a stuntman, before taking on action choreography in the 1970s. Having worked extensively with famous directors like John Woo and Tsui Hark, Tung is no stranger to Hong Kong’s action choreography scene. He has been recognised countless times in the Best Action Choreography category at the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards, and has taken home the prize for titles like Seven Swords (2005), Bodyguards and Assassins (2009), Operation Mekong (2016) and Bursting Point (2023).

This action drama directed by Albert Leung and Herbert Leung puts Tung’s character Sam in the limelight. After an unfortunate incident during the production of a movie, he decides to fade away from the business. Time passes and 30 years later, an old time friend invites him to be part of a an action flick he is directing. What happens next is a series of incidents where it becomes evident that times have changed, and Sam begins to question his relevance in the current state of things.

From the plot, you know that this is a movie that will be overflowing with nostalgia. The term “Hong Kong spirit” is brought up many times throughout the 114 minute runtime. Also, characters reminisce how Hong Kong productions were better in the past. In fact, the movie starts with an action sequence that will remind you of a Jackie Chan flick that involves people performing dangerous stunts, including jumping down a few floors in a shopping centre and falling into glass cabinets.

So it is perfectly understandable that some of the younger characters in the movie (including Wai, Sam’s former stunt crew played by real life action choreographer and martial artist Philip Ng) loathe Sam’s unwillingness to adapt to today’s circumstances. It doesn’t help that he has a temper on set, and bulldozes his way through to get a perfect action scene caught on camera. This includes pulling off a robbery sequence in the public without applying filming permits.

Then there is Long (Terrence Lau), an idealistic young man who becomes Sam’s disciple. He could have stuck to a more lucrative delivery guy job, but his love for action movies made him say yes to Sam’s invitation to be an assistant action choreographer on set. No thanks to Sam’s fiery rage, Long compromises his own safety on several occasions.

While the movie is a love letter to the golden era of Hong Kong movies, it also effectively makes viewers think about whether old timers are hanging on too tight to an era that has passed. But maybe all that matters is how this touching story is ultimately a loving tribute to the hardworking filmmakers behind some of our most beloved movies. 

Movie Rating:

(A love letter to the golden age of Hong Kong action movies, and a reminder of how passion and hard work defined some of our most beloved films)

Review by John Li