Review: "The Rebel" (2007)

“The Rebel” is a satisfying, good-looking Vietnamese martial arts flick with an interesting and engaging story and solid performances.

Set during the 1920’s in colonial Vietnam, “The Rebel” follows the journey of Cuong (Johnny Nguyen), an undercover agent of the French colonial government who is deployed to root out and destroy a group of freedom-fighting rebels. Growing troubled by the bloodshed, he decides to free Thuy (Veronica Ngo), the daughter of a rebel leader captured during an attempted political assassination. Escaping with Thuy and on the run, he is tracked by his superior Sy (Dustin Nguyen), a ruthless Vietnamese version of Agent Smith, who hopes that Cuong will lead him to the rebel leader’s hideout. The plot is straight-forward but filled with enough twists that it held my interest and kept me wondering whose side the conflicted Cuong was ultimately going to choose.

The story moves along at a quick pace and the fighting action is bloody, violent and visceral. The martial arts on display seem fresh and feature more distinctive Vietnamese fighting styles such the spinning kick and an impressive scissor headlock. Both Johnny Nguyen and Veronica Ngo shine as screen fighters with Ngo, reminiscent of a young Michelle Yeoh, more than holding her own as an action heroine. The romantic chemistry between the two leads is palpable.

For a low budget picture, the production values are good. The costumes and period design are impressive and the sepia-toned imagery supports the appropriate dark and serious tone. Gorgeous views of the Vietnamese countryside are a nice bonus.