The Prosecutor finds martial arts legend Donnie Yen stepping into dual roles as both leading man and director, delivering a film that combines the intensity of courtroom drama with flashes of exhilarating action. Yen plays Fok Chi-ho, a former police officer who transitions into a career as a prosecutor after becoming disillusioned with criminals evading justice through legal loopholes. Armed with a law degree rather than a police-issue service weapon, Fok takes interest in the case of Ma Ka-kit (Mason Fung), a young man accused of drug trafficking who accepts a plea deal under dubious circumstances. Determined to see actual justice prevail rather than speed things along for the convenience of overworked prosecutors and self-important judges, Fok elects to open an investigation of his own, but what begins as a straightforward legal battle soon spirals into a broader conspiracy involving a sprawling drug syndicate, corrupt lawyers, and powerful criminals who will stop at nothing to cover their tracks.
The film’s setup cleverly juxtaposes Fok’s investigative instincts with his newfound role in the courtroom, offering a refreshing take on Yen’s modern-day action persona. At 61, Yen imbues Fok with a sense of world-weariness, delivering lines like “I’m getting old, I can’t catch thieves anymore” with an authenticity that reflects both his character’s evolution, and possibly Yen’s feelings about his own career. Yet his age seems little more than an afterthought when the action takes over: Yen’s physical prowess remains extraordinary, with his fight choreography and stunt work rivaling performers significantly younger.
The film’s action sequences are a feast for genre aficionados, blending classic Hong Kong martial arts choreography with modern cinematic techniques. A rooftop brawl against dozens of thugs showcases Yen’s ability to command large-scale fights, while a multi-level chase through a parking garage and a tense subway showdown against a menacing assassin (Kang Yu, a mainstay of Yen’s stunt team for the past decade) provide thrilling bursts of kinetic energy. Perhaps drawing influence from his involvement in John Wick: Chapter 4, Yen employs a variety of dynamic camera techniques, including drone shots, POV angles, and tight handheld footage, while staying true to his roots with a preference for practical stunts over CGI — opening shootout notwithstanding — ensuring the action feels (mostly) tangible and immediate.
Beyond the spectacle, The Prosecutor weaves in a thoughtful exploration of justice and morality, albeit with more than a touch of melodrama. Loosely inspired by a real-life case, the film examines systemic failures in the legal system, particularly through the plight of Ma Ka-kit and his impoverished grandfather (Lau Kong), highlighting the harsh realities of a system that punishes the powerless while enabling the powerful, and perhaps echoing broader frustrations in Hong Kong’s current sociopolitical climate. Fok’s dual role as a fighter for truth in both the courtroom and the streets underscores these themes, even if his numerous inspirational speeches veer into heavy-handed territory.
Yen is supported by a stellar ensemble cast featuring numerous veterans of Hong Kong cinema, including Kent Cheng as the veteran prosecutor who takes Fok under his wing and is immediately dismayed at his new colleague’s brazen disregard for typical Department of Justice protocol; reaction shots of his eyes nearly bulging out from beneath his barrister’s wig while Fok verbally spars with the Grand Judge (Michael Hui, another screen legend) are pure comedic gold . Elsewhere, Ray Lui and Mark Cheng are delightfully flamboyant as a pair of menacing drug kingpins, and Julian Cheng provides the requisite sleaze as the money laundering lawyer at the center of their operation.
For longtime Donnie Yen fans expecting a non-stop action extravaganza, The Prosecutor might feel like something of a departure, leaning heavily on character development and courtroom intrigue in its first half. But when the fists and feet begin to fly with increasing frequency, they do so with an intensity that reminds us why Yen remains one of the most electrifying action stars in cinema, and serves as a testament to his enduring popularity. The film may simplify its exploration of the legal system and its flaws, but it does a commendable job of bridging the gap between hard-hitting action and thoughtful (if sometimes overwrought) drama, reaffirming Yen as a force to be reckoned with, both in front of and behind the camera.