COLD WAR 1994 (寒战 1994) (2026)

Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Longman Leung
Cast: Daniel Wu, Terrance Lau, Wu Kang-ren, Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, Louis Koo, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Tse Kwan-ho, Carlos Chan, Louise Wong, Fish Liew, Kent Cheng, Yuen Biao, Aidan Gillian, Hugh Bonneville
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Rating: NC16 (Violence & Some Coarse Language)
Released By: Golden Village
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 1 May 2026

Synopsis: Set in 1994, M.B. Lee, the head of the Organized Crime Triad Bureau, got unintentionally embroiled in a high-profile kidnapping case involving a wealthy family. During the investigation, Lee discovers that fractions within the police force have their own agendas, seeking power, fame and fortune. He risks his life to navigate various circles, including the triads, the city’s elite, and even the British regime Throughout these challenges, Lee realizes that positioning himself at the center of police power is crucial for his survival.

Movie Review:

Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung, Chow Yun-Fat and Louis Koo might enjoy prominent billing on the promotional materials of ‘Cold War 1994’, but those looking for these veterans to anchor another tense showdown that they did in ‘Cold War’ and ‘Cold War II’ would be sorely disappointed. Indeed, even though the movie opens with the successful election of Koo’s new character Adrian Yip as Chief Executive, as well as the reunion of Kwok’s police chief Sean Lau and Chow’s senior counsel Oswald Kan digging into the classified files of Leung’s former deputy police commissioner M.B. Lee after he is kidnapped from his home, each of these four actors are but glorified cameos in a prequel that rests on the shoulders of a whole new cast.

It is no secret that co-creators Longman Leung and Sunny Luk had parted ways after ‘Cold War II’, sending into cold storage a planned third chapter presumably tracing the vendetta between Kwok and Leung’s characters after the former had killed the latter’s treasonous son in a shootout. In turn, Leung fashions this follow-up as a prequel set mostly in the year 1994 before the British handover of Hong Kong, a tumultuous period which saw the British government, local elites and triads vie for power. We should also warn you though that it is the first of a two-part prequel, and while it does tie up sufficient loose ends for a satisfying conclusion, it also leaves several other threads hanging for another chapter to be titled ‘Cold War 1995’.

Like its predecessors, ‘Cold War 1994’ is furiously paced and densely plotted from start to finish. M.B. Lee, played here by Terrance Lau, is one of the anchors, a fiercely loyal superintendent bent on avenging the death of a teammate during a drug bust; it is also during that operation that he stumbles upon the kidnapping of local tycoon William Poon’s (Tse Kwan-ho) son-in-law (Carlos Chan), which attracts the unwanted attention of pliant police commissioner Dickson Hui (Michael Chow). Hui is under pressure from William himself, while being closely watched by the British government (led by the MI6 Asia-Pacific head played by Aidan Gillen).

On his part, Lee allies with deputy police commissioner Peter Choi (Daniel Wu), whom those who recall the events of ‘Cold War II’ will know is a duplicitous puppet master. Again, it is not surprising that Lee will find himself betrayed at some point by Choi; but what is more surprising is the unlikely bond he forges with triad leader Boss Yuen (Louise Wong), who Lee seeks out to locate former triad member turned kidnapper Tiger Fong (Stanley Chan). Amidst it all, Leung also squeezes in the tension within the Poon family between father and only son Simon, the latter (Wu Kang-ren) disgruntled at how he had been sidelined in favour of his brother-in-law.

It is a lot, a lot to juggle even within the span of two hours, and to his credit, Leung keeps the wheels spinning on each of these fronts like a pro, aided in no small measure by d.p. Anthony Pun’s skilful cinematography as well as David Richardson’s masterful editing. Still, something has got to give, and in addition to being sharper on the motivations of M.B. Lee and Peter Choi, Leung could also have done more justice to the dynamics within the Poon family, especially Simon’s resentment as well as a hinted incestuous relationship with his aunt Rosa (Fish Liew). Compared to its predecessors, ‘Cold War 1994’ is an even more sprawling affair, and that breadth inevitably comes at the expense of depth and focus.

What it has going over its predecessors though is the ability to portray power and corruption freed from the shackles of political correctness, simply because it is set in the pre-Handover period. The infighting between Hui and Choi, as well as the factions aligned with them, is gripping; ditto the machinations of the seemingly all-powerful Special Branch, whose officers were given unfettered powers by both Commissioner Hui and the British administration. Just as intriguing is the twisty relationship between the triads and the local elites, each of which has their own agenda which then determines if their interests end up being in coincidental alignment or unfortunate contestation.

Whether in terms of plotting or execution, one certainly cannot accuse Leung of being lacking in ambition. Here, Leung ups the ante with a number of high-octane action sequences, including a motorcycle chase at night along an overpass, various shootouts with plenty of firepower, and a rescue attempt at the old Kai Tak Airport on a rainy night that is easily the series’ piece de resistance. Oh yes, Leung has certainly taken his solo ‘Cold War’ chapter bigger and bolder than any of the earlier chapters, and in the process cemented the franchise as the quintessential modern-day Hong Kong blockbuster.

Like we’d said at the beginning, we wish ‘Cold War 1994’ had more of the veterans from the earlier two chapters, even if its focus is on a new generation of actors to take the series forward. Both Wus (we mean Daniel Wu and Wu Kang-ren) are solid in their respective villainous roles, while Lau does (Tony) Leung justice by bringing a gritty and grounded feel to his role. Of the supporting ensemble, it is Wong who makes the most lasting impression as a triad leader; and of the cameos, it is Yuen Biao as M.B. Lee’s father who turns out the most compelling. Despite its imperfections, ‘Cold War 1994’ does recapture the glory days of Hong Kong cinema, and we hope ‘Cold War 1995’ does live up to the promise of its star-studded cast, both new and old.

Movie Rating:

(‘Cold War 1994’ is an ambitious, furiously paced prequel that trades the veteran-led tension of the original films for a sprawling new-generation ensemble, delivering bold action and political intrigue even if breadth sometimes comes at the expense of depth)

Review by Gabriel Chong