A Comparative Look at Ma Yuke’s Crime Films: “Raging Insurgence” and “Redemption”
Ma Yuke has directed two films to date: “Raging Insurgence” and “Redemption.” Both feature Zhang Jiahui and Ethan Juan in leading roles and fall within the crime genre, making a comparison worthwhile.
Strengths in Darkness and Action
Ma Yuke’s directorial strength lies in amplifying the dark side and human desires. His depiction of underground scenes involving gambling, drugs, and prostitution is compelling. The action choreography and gunfight sequences are also executed with a certain level of quality. In this regard, “Redemption” succeeds as an upgraded version of “Raging Insurgence.”
Plot Weaknesses and Predictability
While “Raging Insurgence” might be considered a story of unfulfilled desires, “Redemption” leans towards a bland realism. The two flashback-style plot twists lack surprise. Ethan Juan’s portrayal of the corrupt narcotics officer An Du feels like an inevitable outcome of his character, while Zhang Jiahui’s Zhang Yao playing a game within a game comes across as a forced, albeit correct, result.
The inevitable triumph of good over evil means An Du is destined to lose. Once Zhang Yao’s flashback-driven reversal begins, the film essentially enters garbage time. The only somewhat interesting moment is the embrace between Balai and Nancy. A kiss between the two avengers before their demise might have infuriated An Du even more.
A Tangled Web of Deception
To dismantle the criminal empire of drug lord Mu Kun and corrupt cop An Pei, Zhang Yao collaborates with An Du and enters prison as bait, posing as Mu Kun’s long-lost son, Sha Wang. Heta, Mu Kun’s second-in-command, repeatedly attempts to assassinate Zhang Yao without success. His betrayal is unsurprising, but the fact that so many people with so many guns are wiped out is rather pathetic.
Revenge and Ruin
Balai and Nancy are both family members of drug addicts. One becomes an undercover agent after becoming addicted himself, while the other uses her charm as a honey trap. They cooperate with Zhang Yao to manipulate An Du, leading to his complete downfall.
An Du’s plan is to establish a new city order, eliminate all rival drug dealers, monopolize the market for personal gain, win Nancy’s heart, and kill all those who know the truth, thus portraying himself as a city hero while framing Zhang Yao as the villain.
Unbeknownst to An Du, Balai blows up the drugs and Mu Kun’s vault with explosives, leaving An Du with nothing.
In reality, Balai didn’t need to take such drastic measures. Wouldn’t it have been better to take out a hundred million and distribute it to the families of other drug addicts? There are so many tragic lives living under the bridge. The social security system has its limits, and no one really cares about their survival. They need that life-saving money.