Director Larry Yan’s upcoming 2025 action-crime thriller has a remarkable running time of 142 minutes and has caused a mixture of confusion and anxiety among audiences. In a genre characterized by short films meant to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, the increased length raises questions about whether a film can maintain excitement throughout. Despite early reservations, early screenings showed that Yang and his team were largely successful in delivering an engaging cinematic experience.

The story revolves around former surveillance expert Wong, played by Jackie Chan, who rejoins the fray to help law enforcement track down a gang of highly skilled young criminals. The ringleader of this thief is Fu Longsheng, played by Tony Leung Ka-fai and eerily known as “The Shadow.” The premise may reflect familiar tropes in the action genre, but the execution is thrilling and engaging.

With police funding shifting to artificial intelligence, Wong is forced to assemble a surveillance team that relies on traditional methods to arrest Shadow and his gang as they orchestrate a series of high-stakes cryptocurrency heists. An important emotional core is formed through Wong’s relationship with his niece He Kiguo (commonly known as Guoguo). He Kiguo is desperate to prove himself in the male-dominated police force as he faces personal hardships due to the loss of his father at a young age.

The character dynamic between Wong and Guoguo gets the attention it deserves, adding a rich layer to the story that resonates deeply with viewers. The focus on character development is a notable strength of the film.

With a twist, the film not only delves into Wong’s heroic deeds, but also offers a nuanced portrayal of the shadow of his antagonist, Leung Ka-fai. Leung draws on his experience in arthouse films to play multi-dimensional villains with a complex mix of menace and pathos. A standout segment features Shadow’s neighbors Wong and Guoguo, creating moments of emotional depth while raising the stakes of the story.

However, the film’s action sequences offer a more complex experience. Although some scenes evoke the visceral thrills found in cult classics such as The Raid 2 or old boyothers suffer from being disoriented by Zhang Yibo’s editing choices. The relentless pace of these edits can distract from the high-quality choreography, and some sequences feel poorly pieced together, more reminiscent of quick social media clips than a polished feature film.

Despite these editorial shortcomings, shadow’s edge It continues to be a fun ride, anchored by a strong central performance and a gripping story that intertwines action, crime, and well-timed comedic moments. The film establishes its own identity within the conventions of the genre, ensuring that audiences find both excitement and emotional involvement throughout the viewing experience.

Now available on 4K UHD and Blu-ray through Trinity CineAsia. shadow’s edge offers a thoughtfully crafted blend of action and narrative depth, poised to captivate a diverse audience.