In the Line of Duty IV is the fourth entry in this franchise and the second film with the energetic and charismatic Cynthia Wong in the lead as the skilled fighter and cop Insp. Yeung Lai-Ching. This time out, Khan is joined by a young Donnie Yen as Officer Donny Yan.
The film gets underway in Seattle and Khan and Yen are two Hong Kong cops hot on the trail of drug traffickers. Innocent American dockworker, Luk Wan-ting (Yuen Yat-chor), is caught in the crossfire and blamed for the death of a DEA agent. He flees to Hong Kong where Yeung and Yan must protect him after he survives an assassination attempt.
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, the action in In the Line of Duty IV is on point, with Cyntha Khan consistently defying physics with her balletic kicks and dangerous stunts. Donnie Yen joins in on the fun with his stylized martial arts style as well. The film falls flat in comparison to the previous entries, however, given the awkward chemistry between the leads and the lackluster sets and visual designs in this film compared to others in the franchise. Those things notwithstanding, the film is still an enjoyable, edge-of-the-seat bookend.
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan and Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan and Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan and Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Donnie Yen in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Cynthia Khan in In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
In the Line of Duty IV – Special Edition (Eureka Classics)
In the Line of Duty IV – Special Edition (Eureka Classics)
The Video
The original theatrical cut of In the Line of Duty IV is from a brand new 2K restoration. The film is served up on Blu-ray in a 1.85:1 AVC 1080p encodement. Like the companion release from Eureka, In the Line of Duty III, this one looks fantastic, with a filmic layer of grain, crisp detail, and strong depth of field. Due to the production and set designs on this film, the visuals and colors do not ‘pop’ like they do on III, but the colors still present naturally.
The Audio
The original mono Cantonese mix in LPCM 2.0 for In the Line of Duty IV presents the sound with a reasonable amount of dynamic range, midrange punch, and clear dialogue. The English dub, also in LPCM 2.0 mono, also sounds good enough and reasonably good sound quality.
The Supplements
On this release Eureka includes three audio commentaries, including the archival commentary by Stefan Hammond and Michael Wong, and archival featurettes on Donnie Yen. Just as on In the Line of Duty III, my personal favorite is the audio commentary by Mike leeder and Arne Venema due to their firndly banter and informed comments.
Hong Kong & Export Versions of the Film
Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [First Print Run of 2000 copies]
A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver [First Print Run of 2000 copies] |
Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng
Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema
Audio Commentary by Stefan Hammond & Michael Wong (Archival)
Donnie Yen Interview (Archival) (1080p; 00:19:40)
Donnie Yen: Style of Action (Archival) (1080p; 00:15:02)
Trailer (Hong Kong Theatrical) (1080p; 00:04:25)
Trailer (UK Release) (1080p; 00:01:53)
Line of Duty “Franchise” Trailer (1080P; 00:04:48)
The Final Assessment
Eureka closes out this franchise with a solid release of this action-filled fourth entry on their Eureka Classics imprint. Genre fans and fans of Cynthia Khan will definitely enjoy this.
In the Line of Duty IV (Special Edition) is out on Blu-ray in the UK 20 March 2023 from Eureka Entertainment.
Rating Certificate: UK: 18
Studios & Distributors: D & B Films Co. Ltd. | Eureka Entertainment
Director: Yuen Woo-Ping
Written By: Cheung Chi-Sing | Wong Wing-Fai | Yip Kwong-Kim
Run Time: 95 Mins.
Street Date: 20 March 2023
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Video Format: AVC 1080p
Primary Audio: Original Cantonese LPCM 2.0 Mono
Secondary Audio: Original English Dub LPCM 2.0 Mono
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Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
In the Line of Duty IV is the fourth entry in this franchise and the second film with the energetic and charismatic Cynthia Wong in the lead as the skilled fighter and cop Insp. Yeung Lai-Ching. This time out,...In the Line of Duty IV (Special Edition) (Blu-ray Review)
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