Violent 'Mask' fails

"Here, catch this severed arm!"

This is the type of humor that is woven into this week's slick new Hong Kong action movie, "Black Mask." This violent, gory fantasy stars the already big in Asia and up-and-coming in the U.S. martial arts actor Jet Li, who had his U.S. debut in last summer's hit, "Lethal Weapon 4."

Li plays a former member of an elite military force in China who was medically treated to feel no pain. He fled this life and takes on the role of Simon, an unassuming librarian. When Simon learns from his friend Detective Rock (Lau Ching Wan, "Angel Hunter") that a renegade gang of Simon's former military unit has come to Hong Kong to kill all the drug lords, he knows he is the only one who can stop them.

The gang's leader, who at times looks like John Lennon, relishes the use of ingenious bombs and dismemberment in his plan to take over Hong Kong.

When the gang strikes, Simon transforms himself into a masked Zorro-like crime fighter who wins the acclaim of the people to the shagrin of Detective Rock.

It comes down to Simon choosing between his former flame Yeuk-Lan (Francoise Yip, "Rumble in the Bronx") who tries to murder him and the lady librarian who loves him.

"Black Mask" is disgustingly and needlessly violent, but at times amusing with its tongue-in-cheek humor. Both innocent and not so innocent people get shot up, ripped apart with razor blades and blown up from the inside-out.

Unlike Jackie Chan, Li uses visually enhanced fighting moves. Even in this shallow flick, Li is effective and likable. For those who are up to seeing this high caliber violence fest, "Black Mask" makes for fair entertainment.

05-17-99