Breaking News

I went into Breaking News expecting a typical Hong Kong cop movie, but Johnnie To made something way more interesting. It opens with a seven-minute single-take shootout that blew me away. No cuts, just one long shot of chaos as cops and robbers tear through the streets. The camera moves so smoothly between gunfire and panic that you feel like you’re right there. It’s one of the best openings I’ve seen in an action film.

The story is simple at first. A group of robbers led by Yuen gets into a messy shootout with the police, and it’s all caught on live TV. The footage makes the cops look helpless, so Superintendent Rebecca Fong steps in to fix their image. She turns the whole thing into a media show. Suddenly it’s not just about catching criminals anymore. It’s about who looks better on camera. The cops broadcast their heroic efforts while the robbers upload their own videos to fight back.

The robbers end up trapped in an apartment building with hostages. What follows is a tense standoff mixed with dark humor. The tight setting forces creative action scenes through narrow hallways, windows, and elevator shafts. Johnnie To uses every inch of space to keep things exciting. Even when guns aren’t firing, the film stays sharp and focused. There are moments where hostages and criminals share awkward human exchanges that actually made me laugh.

The cast does great work here. Nick Cheung plays the stubborn cop with real intensity, while Kelly Chen is cold and calculating as the image-obsessed superintendent. Richie Jen gives the lead robber charm and desperation, making him more than just a villain. The balance between action and humor works surprisingly well. You’re on edge one moment and chuckling the next.

My only complaint is the ending, which feels a bit flat after such a strong start. But it didn’t ruin the experience for me. Breaking News isn’t just about cops chasing robbers. It’s about how media twists truth and turns real chaos into entertainment. It’s fast, tense, clever, and still feels fresh years later. For me, this is Johnnie To at his best.