Back to the Past
During the end credits of “Back to the Past,” there is moment that thanks fans for 25 years of gratitude. It’s because the film is actually a feature adaptation, of sorts, to a 2001 Hong Kong TV series called “A Step Into the Past.” I’ve never watched an episode of that, and I assure you that you do not need to watch an episode to enjoy “Back to the Past.” And I did enjoy it, even if even does have less-than-solid visual effects and a cheese factor that does make it feel like it is out of the early ’00s.
In 1999, Hong Siu Lung (Louis Koo) is sent back 2000 years to the Qing dynasty. He finds himself being a mentor to Chiu Poon (Raymond Lam), who will become the Emperor (and looks suspiciously like the old Emperor). Several years after Chiu takes control, and begins to unite the kingdoms through force, Hong and Chiu have a falling out, and Hong goes to live the life of a farmer with his two wives and his son). Cut to 2025, and the inventor of the time machine that took Hong back, Ken (Michael Miu), has just been released after being imprisoned for two decades after Hong did not return. He is looking to change history by taking Chiu’s place; it is at that point when Hong and Chiu must put their issues aside for the greater good.
I will admit to finding the ways in which the film feels like a throwback to a specific era of filmmaking charming. The film begins in an old-school TV aspect ratio before expanding out to a scope aspect ratio as the film begins proper. And then, when we get to the fight sequences, the combination of futuristic tech vs. old school kung fu and weapons like bows and arrows feel like there is an emphasis on goofy action rather than high quality filmmaking. The choreography is good, but the visual effects are kind of rough on the film. The film is most effective in its second act, as Hong and Chiu are having to trust one another against a common, formidable, enemy. We get a strong idea of the political machinations of the era, and look at how a mentor is unable to inspire everything about an apprentice- if said apprentice is thirsty for power. The film’s finale limps along, but ends in a better place than the alternative ending (which is shown during the end credits). This was a fun movie, but how much you can get past its imperfections.
