The Viral Factor (2012) is a Hong Kong action movie directed by Dante Lam who's well-known for his big-budgeted crooks-versus-cops action thrillers. This movie assembles actors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Malaysia. Almost 80% of the movie is shot in Kuala Lumpur.Synopsis: Jon Man (Jay Chou), an agent with the International Security Affairs is on a mission to protect a criminal scientist in escort when his team leader Sean (Andy On) betrays the team. Jon is injured and told to have only two weeks to live. He goes back to Beijing to spend his remaining days with his mother who later tells him about his long-lost brother, Man Yeung (Nicholas Tse) whom she left behind with his father, Man Tin (Liu Kai-chi) more than 20 years ago.
Jon arrives in Malaysia and discovers that Yeung is a wanted criminal and is somehow involved in Sean's plan. Jon is drawn into the conflict with the hope to stop Yeung from continuing his crooked path and to thwart Sean's criminal plan.
With more than two hours of intense action right from the very beginning, I find myself very lethargic. I think the movie fares better if it's a tad shorter, say 20 minutes.
Beginning with gunfight scenes in Jordan, action continues with Dante Lam's signature directions, i.e. jumping from tall buildings, car chases, extensive gun shootings, bomb blasts, helicopter chase, brutal murder, kidnapping, one-on-one combat, etc. I wonder if Dante Lam wants to be Michael Bay or something like that. This movie seems to be very ambitious because it crams in all sorts of possible action scenes.
By the way, it's really interesting to watch our Malaysian police force in action. And also when Man Yeung drives a Perodua Myvi. Hahaha!
Overall, it's a good action thriller, one that can rival some of Hollywood's movies of the same genre. With big names like Nicholas Tse and Jay Chou, and with almost 80% of the movie shot in KL, how could you miss this movie?
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