"High Forces" CHINESE MOVIE REVIEW. A High-Stakes Thriller

 "High Forces"

CHINESE MOVIE REVIEW.

 A High-Stakes Thriller 

High Forces, formerly known as Crisis Route is a 2024 Hong Kong-Chinese action film directed by Oxide Pang, produced by Andy Lau, and starring Lau, Zhang Zifeng, and Qu Chuxiao. Lau plays an international security expert who combats against hijackers on board the Airbus A380.

The film was first announced in March 2020 and production officially began on 27 September 2021 and ended on 19 November 2021. High Forces was theatrically released on 10 October 2024.

High Forces, directed by Oxide Pang, is a gripping action-thriller that blends heart-pounding suspense with deep emotional resonance. Set against the backdrop of a hijacked Airbus A380, the film follows former Special Police officer Gao Haojun, played by a leading Chinese actor, as he confronts a dark chapter of his past while engaging in a battle for survival at 10,000 feet in the air. The movie intertwines intense action with the personal redemption of its lead character, creating a suspense-filled narrative with themes of guilt, family, and heroism.

Gao Haojun is a former Special Police officer who once prided himself on his skills in subduing criminals and protecting the public. However, a tragic accident during a jewelry store robbery leaves him with emotional scars that turn his life upside down. While heroically subduing the robbers, a stray bullet from his firearm inadvertently blinds his young daughter, Xiaojun. This devastating incident shatters his family, leaving him wracked with guilt. Gao’s wife, Yuan, is unable to cope with the tragedy and the couple’s fractured relationship results in Yuan leaving him, taking Xiaojun with her. Gao, emotionally broken and consumed by guilt, resigns from the police force, abandoning the career that once defined him.

Years later, Gao reinvents himself as an international security expert, living a life far removed from his past as a law enforcer. Despite his professional success, the guilt from blinding his daughter continues to haunt him, and his relationship with Yuan and Xiaojun remains unresolved.

In an unexpected twist of fate, Gao crosses paths with Yuan and Xiaojun again, but this time under extraordinary circumstances. While boarding the luxurious Airbus A380, Gao unexpectedly encounters his ex-wife and now-teenage daughter. The emotions between the three are strained but simmer beneath the surface. However, any chance for reconciliation is abruptly interrupted when a group of 12 hijackers seizes control of the aircraft, turning what was meant to be a routine flight into a life-or-death situation for the 800 passengers onboard.

As the hijackers, armed and dangerous, begin mercilessly executing passengers in the economy class to assert their control, the plane plunges into chaos. Panic spreads, and the lives of every person onboard hang in the balance. In this terrifying moment, Gao is forced to step forward and use his elite training and tactical expertise to confront the hijackers. But this is not just a battle of brute strength—it is also a war of strategy and mental fortitude as Gao must navigate the confined space of the plane, using his intelligence and resourcefulness to outwit the well-coordinated group of terrorists.

What adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation is the presence of Xiaojun on the flight. Though still blind, Xiaojun has grown into a resourceful and strong-willed young woman. Despite the fractured relationship with her father, she realizes that his actions might be the only thing standing between the passengers and certain death. In a tense and emotionally charged series of scenes, Xiaojun begins to secretly assist her father by providing him with crucial intel. Using her acute sense of hearing and the technological gadgets at her disposal, she helps Gao anticipate the hijackers' movements, giving him a crucial edge in his battle.

The dynamic between father and daughter becomes one of the central emotional threads of *High Forces*. Gao, still carrying the weight of his past mistake, is given an unexpected opportunity to protect his daughter in the very environment where his failure once destroyed their lives. The bond between Gao and Xiaojun, though strained by years of separation and emotional distance, is slowly rebuilt in the midst of the unfolding crisis.

At the heart of High Forces is the theme of personal redemption. Gao’s journey is not just about physically confronting the hijackers, but also about coming to terms with the guilt that has haunted him for years. Director Oxide Pang expertly balances high-octane action with deep character development, allowing the audience to sympathize with Gao’s internal struggle. Every decision he makes during the hijacking carries the weight of his past mistake, and each confrontation with the terrorists becomes symbolic of his quest to redeem himself in the eyes of his daughter and ex-wife.

The emotional stakes are further heightened by Xiaojun’s involvement in the crisis. Despite her blindness, Xiaojun’s keen senses and intelligence allow her to play a pivotal role in aiding her father. Her character’s resilience and ability to rise above her limitations mirror Gao’s struggle for redemption, creating a powerful father-daughter dynamic. Their collaboration not only adds tension and intrigue to the action sequences but also highlights the importance of trust, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Oxide Pang’s direction shines in the action sequences, which are meticulously crafted to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The claustrophobic setting of an airplane heightens the tension, as Gao is forced to navigate narrow aisles, packed cabins, and confined spaces while engaging in combat with the hijackers. Pang’s signature style of quick cuts, dynamic camera movements, and close-up shots create an immersive experience that pulls viewers into the heart of the action.

The aerial setting of the film also adds a layer of complexity to the action. With the plane at 10,000 feet, there’s no possibility of escape, and every decision Gao makes must be executed with precision and care. The stakes are raised with each passing minute, as the hijackers grow more ruthless and the passengers more desperate.

High Forces also excels in its use of suspense. Pang, who has a background in horror and thrillers, knows how to build tension gradually, using silence, lighting, and pacing to create moments of sheer terror. The unpredictability of the hijackers’ next move keeps the audience guessing, while Gao’s efforts to outsmart them provide a constant sense of urgency.

High Forces is more than just an action-packed thriller—it is a story of personal redemption, familial bonds, and the fight for survival in impossible circumstances. Oxide Pang masterfully blends emotional depth with pulse-pounding action, delivering a cinematic experience that is as heartwarming as it is thrilling. With strong performances from the cast, particularly the father-daughter duo at the center of the story, and a relentless pace that never lets up, *High Forces* stands out as a compelling addition to China’s action-thriller genre.

Through Gao Haojun’s journey, the film explores the themes of guilt, sacrifice, and reconciliation, making High Forces not just a story of hijackers and heroes, but also a tale of healing and second chances.