Operation Mekong
2016; directed by Dante Lam

Loosely -- very loosely -- based around the events of 2011's "Mekong Massacre", Dante Lam's latest release, the local box office smash Operation Mekong, plays just as fast and loose with the historical facts as just about every other recent production involving Mainland producers that has to kowtow to the censorship demands of that government, even going so far as to portraying Chinese nationalistic paramiltary forces as so benevolent towards even the most hardened and violent of criminals that they take care to not use real bullets. So if you're looking for a deep story with valid and vivid portrayal of political intrigue, you've probably come to the wrong cinematic place.

Thankfully, though, as far as action goes, Dante Lam continues his recent run of success in that department. There is a bit too much camera trickery and obvious CGI tweaking -- but, sadly, that's probably to be expected in this day and age. But Lam, along with his veteran action directors Stephen Tung Wai and Jack Wong, work very well in the modern confines of the genre and budget and create some exciting scenes that go very far towards letting the viewer forgive (at least in part) the semi-sized holes in the plot and the somewhat leaden and by the numbers exposition.

RATING: 7.5

Operation Mekong has been released uncut and in the original Mandarin/Thai/English language mix in North America from Well Go USA. Bonus features include behind the scenes featurettes and trailers for the movie and other Well Go releases. Click here to order the DVD/Blu-ray combo pack from Amazon, or you may also click here to watch the movie now via their VOD service.