Wikipedia

Crisis Negotiators

Crisis Negotiators (Chinese: 談判專家) is a 2024 Hong Kong crime film directed by Herman Yau and produced by Andy Lau. It is a remake of the 1998 American film The Negotiator, with Sean Lau and Francis Ng leading as police negotiators based on Samuel L. Jackson's Danny Roman and Kevin Spacey's Chris Sabian, along with an ensemble cast including Michael Miu, Philip Keung, Kent Cheng, Michael Chow, Chu Pak Him, Cherry Ngan, Yeung Wai Lun, Kenneth Lo and Timmy Hung. The film centers around police negotiator Cheuk (Lau) who accidentally becomes a murder suspect and is forced to take over a police station to clear his name with the help of his former colleague Tse (Ng).

Crisis Negotiators
Theatrical poster
Traditional Chinese談判專家
Directed byHerman Yau
Screenplay byHerman Yau
Based onThe Negotiator
by F. Gary Gray
Produced byAndy Lau
StarringSean Lau
Francis Ng
Michael Miu
Philip Keung
Kent Cheng
Michael Chow
Chu Pak Him
Cherry Ngan
Yeung Wai Lun
Kenneth Lo
Timmy Hung
CinematographyJoe Chan
Edited byLam Wing-Lui
Music byMak Chun Hung
Production
companies
Hengdian Entertainment
Guava Pictures
Lian Ray Pictures
Distributed byEdko Films
Release dates
  • 24 May 2024 (2024-05-24) (China)
  • 13 June 2024 (2024-06-13) (Hong Kong)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

The film premiered in China on 24 May 2024, followed by a theatrical release on 13 June in Hong Kong.

Synopsis

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Tse Ka Chun, a police negotiator, along with junior negotiator Cheuk Man Wai and crime unit inspector Bun, are tasked with handling a hostage situation. A mentally unstable couple has taken over the Social Welfare Department office, armed with a bomb, after their son was taken into custody. Although Tse manages to secure the release of the hostages, the couple is devastated upon realizing they will not be able to see their son again and detonate the bomb, committing suicide. Feeling guilty for not being able to save the couple, Tse resigns and becomes a social worker, hoping to help the needy before they reach dire situations.

Three years later, Cheuk becomes the chief police negotiator and solves a bank robbery along with the SWAT team. That night, they have a celebratory dinner, which is interrupted by Cheuk's friend and fellow inspector Ka. Ka informs Cheuk that his informant has revealed that some of their colleagues, including Inspector Li from Internal Investigations, have embezzled money from the reparational fund, which Cheuk sits on the committee for. Later, Cheuk goes to meet Ka for a detailed discussion, but finds him dead, with police immediately swarming the scene. Cheuk is soon arrested as the prime suspect. In prison, Cheuk's supervisor, Law, tries to persuade him to confess in exchange for a reduced sentence, but Cheuk is motivated to break out of prison to prove his innocence instead. After a car chase, Cheuk arrives at and takes over the internal investigations office, holding Law, Li, Li's assistant Maggie, and police informant Lo as hostages.

The headquarters is soon surrounded, and Cheuk's negotiator apprentice, Yeung, tries to bargain with Cheuk, but is outmaneuvered. Cheuk makes his demands, including investigating the identity of Ka's informant and only negotiating with Tse. Tse soon arrives at the scene, puzzled by Cheuk's request to speak with him, to which Cheuk explains that he finds Tse to have a good heart and that his departure from the police ensured he would not be a mole. During the negotiations, Bun orders a breach, which backfires, resulting in the capture of two SWAT members. Tse is furious with Bun's hasty actions and demands full privileges as the chief police negotiator. He then orders the office's electricity to be cut, in exchange for the release of Law.

Cheuk's actions convince Maggie and Lo of his innocence, and they help him hack into Li's computer. Tse brings in retired inspector Wan to pose as Ka's informant, but Cheuk soon realizes that the informant is actually Ka himself, as he finds a tape of Ka exposing Li's crimes days before he discussed the matter with Cheuk. Cheuk lies that Li has agreed to testify against all his confederates on the police radio. Hearing this, SWAT team leader Ko and his subordinates involved in the fraud sneak into the building and launch a surprise attack, with Ko killing Li in the process. However, Li manages to give Cheuk his gym locker key with his last breath.

Unsure of who fired first, Bun announces that the negotiations have gone sour and orders a full attack. Tse tries to intervene but is discharged from duty. While leaving the scene, Tse sneaks into the building and has a final talk with Cheuk, offering to help him. Cheuk then disguises himself as a SWAT member and flees the scene with Tse. However, the corrupted officers spot Cheuk and give chase. After another car chase, Cheuk and Tse arrive at the gym, where Cheuk finds Li's audio tape about the ringleader of the corruption, revealing it to be Law. Law soon arrives at the scene, shooting Ko dead and offering Cheuk to put the blame on the deceased Ko and keep everything secret, but Cheuk refuses. Law overpowers Tse and takes him hostage. However, Tse has secretly turned on his walkie-talkie, and everything Law said is overheard by all policemen. Exposed, Law commits suicide.

Six months later, Cheuk meets Tse again when Tse arrives at the police station to follow up on a case of illegal hawking. Cheuk promises Tse that as long as Tse ensures the needy are helped from the beginning, he will safeguard them at the end.

Cast

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  • Sean Lau as Cheuk Man Wai: a seasoned hostage negotiator who is framed for murder and corruption.[1] The character is based on Samuel L. Jackson's Danny Roman.[2]
  • Francis Ng as Tse Ka Chun: a police negotiator-turned-social worker whose Cheuk demands to speak to.[1] The character is based on Kevin Spacey's Chris Sabian.[2]
  • Michael Miu as Law On Bong: a superintendent and Cheuk's friend and supervisor who is secretly the ringleader of the corrupted cops.[3]
  • Philip Keung as Lee Chi Bun: an inspector of the Crime Unit.[4]
  • Kent Cheng as Lam Ka Cheung: the Deputy Commissioner who oversees Cheuk's negotiations.[4]
  • Michael Chow as Li Chun Kit: an inspector of the Internal Investigations Department and the mole working for corrupted cops.[3]
  • Chu Pak Him as Yeung Chun Fat: a junior police negotiator and Cheuk's former subordinate.[4]
  • Cherry Ngan as Maggie: Li's assistant and one of Cheuk's hostages.[4]
  • Yeung Wai Lun as Lo Dik: a con man, police informant and one of Cheuk's hostages.[4]
  • Kenneth Lo as Ko Hak: the SWAT team commander and a corrupted cop.[5]
  • Timmy Hung as Wai Lun: Ko's second-in-command and a corrupted cop.[5]

Also appearing in the film are Rosa Maria Velasco as Hoi Lam, Cheuk's wife;[6] Kenny Wong as Ka, an inspector and a friend of Cheuk who was murdered by the corrupted cops;[3] Wong You-nam and Kevin Chu as Mark and For, two SWAT team members taken hostage by Cheuk;[7][6] Tony Ho and Adam Pak as Igor and Sai Mok, the police snipers and acquaintances of Cheuk;[6] and Ben Yuen as Wan Chi Ming, an inspector pretending to be Ka's informant on Tse's request.[8] The film's producer Andy Lau and Kearen Pang (both credited as special appearance) cameos as a mentally unstable couple who take over the Social Welfare Department office in the beginning of the film.[3]

Production

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Development

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Crisis Negotiators is a remake of the 1998 American action thriller film The Negotiator.[9][10] Director Herman Yau had initially rejected the offer to helm the remake, before agreeing to direct the adaptation on his second invitation.[11] The film rights were acquired for US$100,000.[11] The film entered pre-production in April 2023, with Yau confirmed as the director (and later also taking on screenwriting duties), and Sean Lau, Francis Ng, and Michael Miu cast in the lead roles.[12] Yau wrote the screenplay closely following the original film, and emphasized the project as a remake in the marketing, describing his motive as making good use of the licensing fee.[11] However, he also made amendments to the setting to suit the real-life situation in Hong Kong. In the original film, Samuel L. Jackson's character demanded a negotiator from another state to handle the case, but Yau set Francis Ng's character as a retired police officer instead, since Hong Kong is too small and using mainland's Public security bureau would require extensive content censorship.[11] Yau set the story prior to the 1997 Hong Kong handover, as the film's plot involved police scandals. He described this decision as a way to avoid political controversies and better accommodate Chinese censorship requirements.[11] He also rewrote the opening scene with inspirations from the Kwok Ah-nui incident, in order to enhance the film's relevance to social issues in Hong Kong.[2] An official trailer was released on 13 May 2023, with Andy Lau announced as the film's producer.[13]

Filming

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Principal photography began in May 2023.[14] Filming took place mostly in different studios, with Sean Lau and Francis Ng being separated for much of the shoot.[15] Location filming occurred in Ho Man Tin in June,[16] during which Lau was infected with COVID-19, leading to a pause in production for several days.[17][18] Filming wrapped in early July.[19]

Release

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The film had its premiere in China on 24 May 2024, with a limited release in selected cinemas, followed by a nationwide release on 8 June.[20] The film was theatrically released in Hong Kong on 13 June 2024.[21]

Reception

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Edmund Lee of South China Morning Post gave the film 2.5/5 stars and pointed out that almost every aspect of the film pales in comparison with the original 1998 film, albeit being a serviceable crime thriller on its own, the remake features inferior acting and an unconvincing tone compared to the original.[1] Siu Yu of am730 also noted that while the film features strong lead performances from Sean Lau and Francis Ng and a well-executed localization of the opening, it ultimately amounts to a Cantonese retelling of the original and the decision to deviate from the established ending is puzzling.[22] Wong Man of Va Kio Daily offered a rather positive review, highlighting that although the remake does not quite measure up to the original, the film's dramatic storytelling, solid action sequences, and thought-provoking exploration of police corruption are commendable.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lee, Edmund (12 June 2024). "Crisis Negotiators movie review: Lau Ching-wan, Francis Ng in so-so The Negotiator remake". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Lee, Leon (13 June 2023). "關於《談判專家》的4點改編 與原版電影《冇數講》最大差異是惺惺相惜二人組？". Jet Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d 何德 (13 June 2024). "《談判專家》影評 劉青雲、吳鎮宇張力十足，導演邱禮濤近年最精彩之作" (in Chinese). Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e 許育民 (15 June 2024). "談判專家︱超強配角伴兩大影帝　韋羅莎愛青雲楊偉倫髮型似信一？" (in Chinese). HK01. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b 莫匡堯 (16 June 2024). "談判專家︱成員竟全為義務兼任　成員曾自爆：工作30小時後再出動" (in Chinese). HK01. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "吳鎮宇兒子崇拜劉青雲 費曼懶得與父親聊天" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. ^ "黃又南發福現雙下巴 跟劉青雲合作獲益良多：叫我去盡啲" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  8. ^ "談判專家丨袁富華感謝吳鎮宇幫忙　劉青雲被韋羅莎顏卓靈集郵" (in Chinese). TOPick. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  9. ^ Mills, Phil (2 June 2024). "Trailer: 'Crisis Negotiators'". Far East Films. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  10. ^ Marsh, James (17 June 2024). "Crisis Negotiators not the first: 5 notable Hong Kong/Chinese remakes of Hollywood movies". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e 許育民 (15 June 2024). "談判專家專訪｜保留90年代背景　導演邱禮濤︰《寒戰》都拍97前" (in Chinese). HK01. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  12. ^ "4月电影备案：合拍片多、衍生电影扎堆，《拆弹专家3》等备案" (in Chinese). QQ.com. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  13. ^ 孜卓芹 (13 May 2023). "談判專家｜劉青雲吳鎮宇相隔19年再合作 高手過招舌戰「講數」" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  14. ^ "劉青雲中招復工大陣仗　捱熱拍戲水都唔飲" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily News. 31 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  15. ^ Hsia, Heidi (6 June 2024). "Francis Ng and Sean Lau reunite in "Crisis Negotiators"". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  16. ^ "吳鎮宇年賺近億做吸金王　青雲睇「表演」" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily News. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  17. ^ 何德 (6 June 2024). "專訪劉青雲、吳鎮宇 互窒見證友誼 細數經典《爆裂刑警》《一個字頭的誕生》激動到瞓地" (in Chinese). Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  18. ^ 溫穎芝; 蔡文豪 (5 June 2024). "相隔19年再合作！劉青雲吳鎮宇《談判專家》高手過招" (in Chinese). Tai Kung Pao. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  19. ^ "65歲苗僑偉愈老愈型秘訣曝光！內地網民蜂擁激讚：20歲小鮮肉都比唔上" (in Chinese). Sing Tao Daily. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  20. ^ "《谈判专家》5月24-26日超前点映，刘青云、吴镇宇《谈判专家》高手过招银幕斗"嘴"" (in Chinese). Sohu. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  21. ^ "《談判專家》6.13香港上映 劉青雲吳鎮宇相隔19年再合作" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  22. ^ 小雨 (14 June 2024). "《談判專家》 將經典西片本土化" (in Chinese). am730. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  23. ^ 王珉 (12 June 2024). "（藝術評口）《談判專家》：聚光燈下的博弈" (in Chinese). Va Kio Daily. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
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