Film Review: The Touch (2002)
At the start of 21st Century China was becoming not only an economic superpower, but also began to challenge Hollywood with its own emerging cinema industry. This trend was heralded with the commercial and critical triumph of 2000 epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. One of the persons that should be credited for such success was cinematographer Peter Pau, who tried to repeat it with his directorial debut, 2002 action adventure The Touch.
Michelle Yeoh, star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, plays the protagonist Pak Yin Fay, Chinese acrobat who is also member of family that had trained its members in martial arts for centuries. The purpose was to protect the ancient Buddhist artefact that would give its owner enormous power. The artefact is sought by evil art collector Karl (played by Richard Roxburgh), but the key to its location is pendant, which has been stolen by Yin’s former boyfriend Eric (played by Ben Chaplin). He gives it to Yin, but Karl abducts Yin’s brother Tong (played by Brandon Chang) and his girlfriend Lily (played by Margaret Wang). Yin and Eric are travelling to the desert in order to rescue Tong and find the artefact, which is hidden in booby-trapped temple.
The idea behind the film was to make Hollywood-like film, which would attract the Western audiences with partially Western cast and obvious references to Indiana Jones films, while displaying martial arts. The film is well-photographed and has few interesting and effective action scenes. Richard Roxburgh is very effective in the role of villain. Unfortunately, Peter Pau’s skills as director leave much to be desired, and despite the quite large budget for Asian cinema standards and use of exotic locations in China, Tibet and Nepal, The Touch looks like a cheap knock-off. Many of the good will gathered by audience throughout the film is squandered during disappointing finale that features some unconvincing and cheap-looking CGI. The Touch is a watchable film, but very disappointing, even to those who had based their expectations on the talents involved.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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