The Prosecutor Review
Even at 61, Donnie Yen remains a pinnacle of action cinema, starring in what could be considered genre classics well into the later stages of his career. Whether it’s his memorable role as Caine in John Wick: Chapter 4 or his action direction and performance in the late Benny Chan’s Raging Fire, Yen is still at the top of his game. However, unlike many of his contemporaries, he has rarely stepped into the director’s chair, preferring instead to focus on action direction and choreography. Recently, though, Yen has begun to take on directing responsibilities, first with his film Sakra and now with The Prosecutor.
If Raging Fire was a dissection of police corruption, The Prosecutor shifts its focus to the failings of the justice system—particularly how prosecutors have lost their moral com in prioritising convictions over truth, and how inadequate legal defence disproportionately affects the poor. And that’s not even half the topics the film attempts to cover. The Prosecutor tackles a wide range of themes, and while I appreciate its ambition to deliver a meaningful message rather than simply being another mindless Donnie Yen action vehicle, its themes are ultimately resolved too neatly to leave a lasting impact.
The story opens with Fok Chi Ho (Donnie Yen) testifying in court about a raid on an armed gang that attacked the police assault team. Fok fends off an onslaught of henchmen before assisting Leung Mei-yee (Sisley Choi) in a chase after the gang’s leader, Cheung Man-bing (Justin Cheung). On the stand, Cheung—committing perjury—claims he was merely at the scene to film supernatural occurrences. With no evidence linking him to the crime, he is found not guilty. This outcome compels Fok to change career paths and become a prosecutor, determined to ensure justice is properly served. However, his mindset is quickly tested when, in his first case, an innocent man is sentenced to jail for drug trafficking. Digging deeper, Fok uncovers a web of corrupt defence attorneys connected to drug gangs.
Examining the Hong Kong judicial system through the eyes of a cop seeking justice should, on paper, provide a thrilling critique. However, the film stumbles from the outset. Cheung getting away with his crimes is framed as the defence shielding a criminal, rather than as a critique of police misconduct or the prosecution’s failure to build a solid case. Nonetheless, The Prosecutor aims to expose flaws within both the prosecutor’s office and the defence. Time and again, the head prosecutor insists that taxpayer money cannot be wasted and that securing convictions takes precedence over uncovering the truth. This is a compelling premise, yet the film’s core philosophy—that a simple shift in mindset can lead to systemic reform—feels overly idealistic. Institutions are deeply flawed at their foundations, and meaningful change requires more than surface-level adjustments.
Donnie Yen and the ing cast do a commendable job of elevating the film’s weaker material. One standout scene, in which the courtroom erupts into sheer chaos, serves as a fantastic acting showcase for Yen and reaffirms his status as one of the finest actors to emerge from the golden era of Hong Kong action cinema. Kent Cheng shines as Bao Ding, a lovable character who injects much-needed humour into what could otherwise be an overly dark and serious film. Julian Cheung also delivers a superb performance as the primary antagonist—he is calculated in every move, with a mean streak slowly brewing beneath the surface.
Where The Prosecutor’s critique of the justice system falters, its action sequences soar. The film delivers truly dynamic and well-constructed fight scenes. Yen, alongside action director Takahito Ôuchi, fully embraces the kinetic camera movements of modern action cinema. A thrilling first-person perspective during the opening raid evokes the immersive feel of a shooter game while remaining hard-hitting and exhilarating to watch. As the film progresses, the cinematography continues to impress. An incredible drone shot captures henchmen sprinting up a stairwell, then pulls back to reveal a wide rooftop view, only to push in again for the epic climax. The action peaks in a spectacular train-set finale, where the confined space is used to remarkable effect—intensely choreographed and impressively shot despite the tight surroundings.
What truly sets these sequences apart, however, is the sheer impact of every hit. For better or worse, depending on whom you ask, gunfire sounds and feels like BB guns compared to the thunderous crashes of Yen’s punches and kicks. Every blow lands with bone-rattling force, and you’ll likely find yourself laughing with glee as each strike sounds like it’s sending someone straight to the hospital.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, The Prosecutor delivers a thrilling action film that reaffirms Donnie Yen’s status as one of the finest action stars working today. Every action scene hits with the ferocity we’ve come to expect from him, and by the time the credits roll, you’ll have been thoroughly entertained by this flawed gem.
★★★1/2
On Digital Platforms June 16th, Blu-ray June 23rd / Donnie Yen, Julian Cheung, Michael Hui, Francis Ng, Kent Cheng, Sisley Choi / Dir: Donnie Yen / Signature Entertainment / 15
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