The Big Heat 4K 1988

Sooner or later, every police officer faces a trilemma: to work according to the law, according to orders, or according to conscience. Unfortunately, I don't know of any country in the world where law enforcement conscience does not conflict with the law.

“What we're going to do tonight cannot be recorded in the protocol. If you're not with us, transfer to another department.”

This is how Senior Inspector Willy Von explained to newcomer Kam that if you want to be a good cop, you have to become a criminal—such is the paradox. What did you expect? There are only two extremes: police lawlessness and police impotence; there is no third option. The state can give the cops free rein and bring about total order; or, on the contrary, it can shackle the pharaohs with strict restrictions and ensure the legal (and only legal) safety of citizens.

If the authorities choose the second path, then the people will have to get used to rampant impunity. Even if a powerful mafioso has blood all over his mouth, and it is obvious that the blood is not from a pig or a cow, no one will touch him. This is because the principle of presumption of innocence requires law enforcement agencies to provide irrefutable (read: almost unattainable) evidence, and the right to a lawyer guarantees a wealthy scoundrel the opportunity to hire a first-class manipulator who, with the help of language, can turn a life sentence into a suspended one.

So why did Willie and company have to become criminals? Because abuse of authority is a crime. But why would they abuse their authority? — the meticulous reader will ask. Because gathering evidence will be faster and, more importantly, more effective if done without official permission. Is it illegal? Yes. Is it worth it? Again, yes. Therefore, the brave partners will not only have to fight against criminals, but also try not to get caught by their own superiors.
Of course, tough cops will kill scumbags. Without hesitation, without pity, and without much thought, you know. Because anyone who stands up for the mafia deserves a bullet in the forehead—that's the harsh credo of the heroes of this action movie. Yes, there will be a lot of shooting: the cops will have to fight it out in alleys, a hospital, a residential building, and even an elevator shaft. The frantic and tense shootouts grab the viewer's attention with their bloody realism. There is no discrimination typical of American action films, so anyone can die tragically, whether man or woman, adult or child. In the 1980s, only Hong Kong directors were capable of such stunning uncompromisingness.

The Big Heat is a cocktail of intense drama and wild action.