Best movie of this year hands down!

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Good concept, poorly executed.

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

Plot: When student Jake Lo witnesses a killing, he finds himself caught between two feuding drug lords. Betrayed and set up by the federal agents protecting him, the only one he can trust is Ryan, a single-minded Chicago cop who reminds Jake of his deceased father. To clear his name, Jake agrees to help Ryan bring down the drug lords.This is an action movie that never stops with the action as soon as the action starts, it is fast paced, never boring, and doesn't resort to shoving politics down your throat like some do nowadays. I wish Brandon Lee was still alive, because he had the charisma and charm that you want in an action star, I would've loved to have seen him as Johnny cage in Mortal Kombat, that would have been awesome. Powers Boothe is also a lot of fun which is great to see, since he didn't get that chance very often in his career.This film should be watched by anybody that wants to see action that has no shaky cam, fast cuts, or tricky editing like some do nowadays, you can see what's going on which I appreciate for once. The story is actually pretty good and gets you engaged throughout the movie. Give this a chance along with Showdown in Little Tokyo which is another fun one with him and Dolph Lundgren, you won't regret watching either one of them.

A well-made, well-executed action thriller which has more than enough violence, shooting, and explosions for the average male movie fan. While the plot may be a clichéd and familiar one, along with the characters and the senseless sentimentalising (they even throw in a couple of flashbacks), a better cast than usual makes this film more enjoyable than most and the extended action scenes are slick and never less than exciting.There are plenty of amazing stunts, car crashes, and shoot-outs to keep the casual viewer occupied, but this film really comes into its own with the hand-to-hand combat scenes involving Lee and various opponents. These are well-shot and choreographed (by Lee himself), fast moving but not so fast that you can't see what's happening. Weapons, poles, knives, guns, motorbikes, and even fridge doors are brought into play during this film's course. The timing is just right. The fights are all in varied locations, ranging from the typical (office, factory) to the unusual (kitchen, train track).As for the acting, well, it's not brilliant but it'll pass. The best of the bunch is Powers Boothe, who is pretty good as a sympathetic cop (love that scene where he takes out a speeding car). Brandon Lee is okay as the hero, but still wooden, even if he is less wooden than pals Lundgren or Van Damme. The actors playing the bad guys are wonderfully evil in an over the top way. The little bearded Chinese guy from DIE HARD, Al Leong, turns up as a chief villain and has an excellent martial arts battle with our hero at the end. If you're a fan of B action movies, then you're in for a treat with this one, as rarely are they as well polished as this is (check out any of Chuck Norris' movies if you want a clear example). When a film has more action and excitement than plot, you know you're on to a good thing, so check it out!

Along with the classic The Crow, Brandon Lee made few other films before his heartbreaking accidental death. His natural charisma and likability he brought to action hero roles, accenting the tough guy qualities with an angelic vulnerability, was tragically cut short by the incident. However, Rapid Fire is a gift to fans of both Lee and the action genre alike. It's a little further away from the notoriety of The Crow, but packs a fuming punch of martial arts, gunplay and tough talking character actors strutting their stuff to a tune that any fan of the genre can hum along to. Lee plays Jake, a young college student with turmoil in his past, haunted by an incident involving a loved one in the Tienemen Square disaster. During a visit to Chicago, he inadvertently witnesses a brutal gangland murder perpetrated by drug kingpin Tony Serrano (Nick Mancuso). This immediately puts him in the hot seat and pretty much on his own after the federal agent assigned to him (Raymond J. Barry) betrays him. His only hope lies with grouchy, paternal Chicago Detective Mace Ryan (Powers Boothe) who is on his own rampaging crusade to bring down the drug trade. Jake merely wants to survive and get out of the mess he's found himself in. Together they punch, kick, shoot and strategize their way out of getting offed by the mafia, and kick some serious scumbag ass along the way. Lee is ultimate protagonist material: his strong points arise out of the soft touch, never being brash or hogging the screen, always serving up a helping of humble that make the ass kicking resonate tenfold. Boothe is pricelessly grumpy as the haggard detective, showing brief but unmistakable glimpses of the bruised warrior's heart beneath, rekindled by his bond with Jake. Mancuso is like a rabid pit bull let off the chain as Serrano, a truly untethered piece of genuine psychopathic anarchy. But that's him, always the under sung wild card who lights up his scenes with wild eyed tenacity. Chinese acting legend Tzi Ma also clocks in as a heroin dealer with a short temper, looking very young which is even made into a meta joke itself. It's pure uncut action, somehow feeling like more thanks to Lee's incredible presence, as well as Boothe and Mancuso adding their own lively brand of spice to an already simmering stew. Essential viewing for any action disciple.

i watched this movie years ago,and thought it was nothing short of astonishing.i guess our tastes change as we grow older.don't get me wrong,i still think it's a fairly decent movie.the problem is,many movies of this genre could be considered fairly decent.(and many would not be)there are 2 things which set this movie apart from some in the genre.1 is the fantastic and spectacular fight scenes.the other is the screen presence and charisma of the late Brandon Lee.without these 2 elements,i think this movie would be slightly above average.as a matter of fact,i was bored at times and thought the movie dragged.as it is,however"Rapid Fire" gets 3.5 stars from me.