Lifeline

Hong Kong’s answer to Backdraft is a good, solid flick that seems to contain most of Johnnie To’s favorite actors and themes. Thankfully, he neglects to add montages. Lau Ching-Wan is the risk-taking boss fireman of the “ill-fated jinxes,” a notoriously unlucky squad of lifesavers. They’re known for futility and things just going wrong, i.e. failing to save lives or saving the wrong ones (like pets, for example). However, through teamwork and perseverance, they gain each other’s trust and the respect of others.