Radical!: China Bags World Premiere of 'Point Break'

Wow, this film came out of nowhere. We had no idea Point Break was coming to China so soon, as it was on none of the release lists that we’ve been flipping through over the last couple of months. Usually, a film of this quality (meaning an action remake of questionable merit) is released a good couple of months following the American release, and to act is filler in between anticipated releases. But since this was a co-production between Alcon Entertainment and China’s DMG Entertainment, some serious strings must have been pulled to get this into theaters before the holidays, and two weeks before its American theatrical release on Christmas Day. This shift of premiering a big budget film like this so ahead of the American release is unprecedented.

The original Kathryn Bigelow directed film from 1991 is indeed a classic in the cool cop going a little too deep undercover genre. FBI Agent Johnny Utah (originally played by Keanu Reeves) infiltrates a crew of gun slinging neo-hippy surfers and thrill seekers who are robbing banks under the guise of former US presidents.

This time they no doubt take it up a notch with the pitching Utah against a globetrotting crew of Zen eco-activists who are into extreme sports and death-defying Robin Hood heists. It stars Édgar Ramírez (playing Patrick Swayze’s character Bohdi), Luke Bracey (Johnny Utah), Teresa Palmer, Ray Winstone, and Delroy Lindo. Who doesn’t love Delroy. Just saying his name over and over again has an almost supernatural calming effect (Delroy Lindo, Delroy Lindo, Delroy Lindo ...). It sounds like it was lifted from the pages of Necronomicon, and if you say his name eight times in front of the bathroom mirror, he’ll appear behind you and give you a deep tissue rub down.

Apparently the heists are centered around carrying out “The Ozaki 8." Which consists of performing eight different trials against the forces of nature, while achieving enlightenment or something while killing everyone that stands in your way. We checked up on this “Ozaki 8," and it’s a completely fictional challenge. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of just how absurd this remake will likely be. Anyway, the movie hit theaters Thursday (Dec 3) and is ready for your visual consumption. Find tickets through 247cinema.cn.

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Email: danielkippwhittaker@thebeijinger.com

Photo: allmoviestuff.com