Watch Motorway
- R
- 2012
- 1 hr 30 min
-
5.9 (1,902)
Motorway is a 2012 Hong Kong action thriller film directed by Soi Cheang and written by Joey O'Bryan. The main plot of the movie revolves around two police officers who are put to the test when tasked to take down a criminal organization that specializes in robberies committed by skilled drivers with fast cars. The film features highly-choreographed and intense car chases, a hallmark of Hong Kong action cinema. The visual effects in the movie are impressive, as the filmmakers use advanced camera techniques to capture high-speed vehicles in motion, creating some heart-stopping moments.
Anthony Chau-Sang Wong plays the role of Cheung, a veteran of the police force with a knack for catching criminals using his driving skills. Cheung is paired with a younger, tech-savvy partner named Lo, played by Shawn Yue. Lo has been tasked with studying the activities of a gang of skilled drivers who are committing robberies all over the city. Cheung, wary and paired with a rookie, is initially dismissive of Lo's techno-reliance, but the pair quickly develops a natural rapport as they take on ever-increasing challenges, closer to the mastermind of the criminal organization.
Throughout the film, Motorway maintains a steady pace, with plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep viewers engaged. One notable aspect of the movie is the use of silence in many of the action scenes, where gunshots and shouting are avoided in favor of emphasizing the rushes of the car engines and the adrenaline of the chases.
The film is set mostly in the streets of Hong Kong, with the bustling metropolis providing a scenic backdrop for the action. The city becomes another character in the film as the cars speed through narrow alleyways and weave through traffic jams, creating a sense of energy and urgency.
Xiaodong Guo plays the enigmatic driver of the criminal gang, known only as "The Cat." The character's backstory is unknown, but they are viewed as potentially unstoppable, with no further information given away about them until the climax. Meanwhile, Cheung and Lo struggle to get closer to the elusive figure, as they become more intimately familiar with the techniques of car heists.
The story of Motorway is occasionally offset by tense scenes showcasing the complex relationships between the various characters. As they spend more time together in pursuit of their objectives, Cheung and Lo develop a closeness that goes beyond their professional relationship. There are moments of vulnerability when Cheung opens up to Lo, revealing his personal life and his gradual decision to retire from the police force, leaving Lo to face down the gang on his own.
Overall, Motorway is a thrilling and visually stunning action film that isn't afraid to slow down to examine both the emotional and the technical sides of driving, racing, and heist activities. The emphasis throughout is on the pursuit of the criminal gang, but the two leads have enough chemistry and background to develop believable relationships and add human depth to what is an otherwise adrenaline-fueled movie. The car chases are as engrossing as they are fast-paced, and the camera work is consistently impressive, capturing the action from every angle in order to create an exciting and immersive viewing experience.
Motorway is a 2012 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.