China doesn’t have it quite right … yet. They’re really not far off and it is only a matter of time before a modern Chinese action film becomes a huge hit in the United States. We see Jackie Chan; we love Jackie Chan. That’s how I know this is true even in action pictures completely bereft of Jackie Chan or any martial arts for that matter. For years, China has peppered America with Jackie Chan-type action. The result is occasional box office success, but rarely something spectacular.
That is going to change. Maybe not this year. Maybe not next. But sometime in the next decade, China is going to make a “Michael Bay” type action film that Americans care about. They’re so, so close.
The biggest problem? Aligning with the philosophy of the country, Chinese films tend to be much more “we” than “me.” There’s nothing wrong with that – in fact, it’s a much better way of policing, but Americans want to see “Officer John McClane takes down a terrorist plot inside Nakatome Tower by himself” not “Dragon Force team takes down subversive element in local high rise.” It’s subtle, but remains a big difference in how films are viewed.
Where the Chinese have made huge improvements is all the technical parts of action thrillers: sound editing, green screen tech, special effects. That stuff. The Chinese can actually make a film where one might believe the Earth is movable. And we see all of that technical achievement in today’s action thriller: Moscow Mission.
Moscow Mission is based on a 1993 robbery of the trans-Siberian express. Both the robbery and the intrigue surrounding it have been recreated. Much of the action takes place in Russia, where Chinese agents have tracked the thieves. You gotta love the local blue collar Moscow workers chanting in Chinese during a labor strike.
The head villain is tracked to the Russian symphony. Hmmm, who could it be? Have you tried looking for the only Chinese guy in the audience? That might be a clue.
One thing that won’t play with American audiences at the moment is misogyny. Moscow Mission doesn’t lack for such, including two rapes, which is a strange inclusion in a cultural that doesn’t 
allow sex on film. I’m also puzzled by the Moscow casino which can only be accessed by sewer.
There are some truly wonderful action scenes in Moscow Mission. Fights on a train are always cool, but the money shot involves a jet fighter crash. There’s also a motorcycle chase following a robbery within the Moscow sewer system itself. Geez, you guys are both literally and figuratively going to need your money laundered. The film generally assumed the action will carry the day in lieu of personalities. Such may play well in China, but has a limited shelf life in the U.S.
It’s no secret in the movie world that China is no longer subsidizing lazy U.S. blockbusters. While Asia used to go gaga over any little bit of American crap, such is no longer the case. In past years, U.S. film has clogged the Chinese charts like bacon grease in the aorta, but in recent years, that trend has changed and Moscow Mission shows why. While the film isn’t wonderful, it is both professional and serviceable. All else being equal, would you -a Chinese citizen- rather see Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, or Moscow Mission? I’m pretty sure I know the answer to that question.
Once, a train robbed in Siberia
Created continental hysteria
Agents were sent
And rules were bent
Which is minimal action movie criteria
Not Rated, 128 Minutes
Director: Herman Yau
Writer: Daming Chen
Genre: So so close to winning American audiences over
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Action fans
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Personality fans
