Directed by:
Ng Yuen-fai and Jack Lai
Starring:
Louis Koo (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In)
Raymond Lam (The Sorcerer and the White Snake)
Jessica Hsuan (The Kid from the Big Apple)
Sonija Kwok (Bodies at Rest)
Joyce Tang (“Armed Reaction”)
Michael Miu (“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”)
Bai Baihe (Monster Hunt)
Produced by:
Louis Koo and Wai-Bat Tang
Run Time:
107 minutes
Asian films and television series have long been among my favourite releases to watch and review. There’s an unmistakable sense of magic woven into many of these productions, something that American cinema doesn’t always capture. While Hollywood filmmakers have taken notice over the past decade, particularly with franchises like John Wick borrowing stylistic and choreographic elements from Asian action cinema, the source material still carries a unique emotional and cultural resonance that sets it apart.
BACK TO THE PAST (Chun Chun Gei) continues the story of the beloved 2001 television series A Step Into the Past. Filming for the feature film began in 2019, but pandemic-related delays pushed its release back several years. Now, North American audiences finally have the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen, with Back to the Past opening in theatres on January 30.
Set two decades after the events of the original series, the story follows Hong Siu-lung (Louis Koo), who has lived in peaceful seclusion after being stranded in the past. His quiet life is disrupted when the Qin Dynasty, long unified under Emperor Ying Ching (Raymond Lam), faces a dangerous new threat. A bitter adversary from the modern era, fueled by resentment over a wrongful imprisonment, travels through time with the intention of rewriting history and claiming power for himself.
As past and present collide, Hong Siu-lung reunites with Emperor Ying Ching to confront enemies both familiar and unexpected. Together, they must protect the empire from collapse and safeguard not only the future of the Qin Dynasty, but the very course of history itself.
One of the film’s strengths is its accessibility. Viewers don’t need to be intimately familiar with A Step Into the Past to enjoy the movie. A brief recap efficiently brings newcomers up to speed before the action truly kicks in. Back to the Past also avoids feeling like a simple nostalgia-driven cash grab. Instead, it carries a genuine sense of affection, as returning cast members step back into their iconic roles, creating a warm familiarity for longtime fans while remaining inviting to new audiences.
Legendary martial arts icon Sammo Hung serves as the film’s action director, and his influence is immediately felt. Fans of Hung’s work will appreciate how fluid, inventive, and impactful the action sequences are. His decades of experience as both a stunt performer and action star elevate each fight, ensuring that the choreography feels dynamic, fresh, and purposeful rather than repetitive.
While Back to the Past delivers its share of thrilling visual effects and large-scale fight sequences, its greatest strength lies in its human storytelling. The emotional connection between Louis Koo and Raymond Lam grounds the film in a way that many action-heavy productions lack. Hong Siu-lung’s lessons to Emperor Ying Ching, particularly those centred on empathy and compassion, add meaningful depth to the narrative. It’s refreshing to see an action film emphasize humanity alongside spectacle, offering themes that resonate long after the credits roll.
Emotionally, the film explores Hong Siu-lung’s divided loyalties. Though he has built a loving family during his time in the past, he remains haunted by the family he left behind in his original timeline. His desire to return home creates tension and emotional conflict with the people he has come to love over nearly two decades. These scenes never feel forced or overly dramatic; instead, they play with sincerity and restraint, helping audiences form a genuine connection with the characters.
The action sequences, once again guided by Sammo Hung’s expertise, strike an effective balance between excitement and storytelling. They are playful, inventive, and occasionally borrow visual cues from classic futuristic American films, creating a unique blend of styles. The result is a film that seamlessly fuses high-energy action with heartfelt drama.
Back to the Past is far from a disposable sequel. It’s a thoughtfully crafted action epic that honours its roots while delivering a rich cinematic experience. For fans of Asian cinema and historical fantasy, this is a film that offers excitement, emotion, and a lasting impression.
BACK TO THE PAST – IN THEATRES JANUARY 30
