Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau Tak-wah’s matinee idol looks were a good fit for romances and dramas early in his career, although his frequent roles playing “sensitive” triad gangsters were complemented by action scenes.
We recall the actor-singer’s portrayal of three very different action heroes on screen.
1. Shaolin (2011)
The actor brings some much-needed gravitas to the role of a ruthless warlord who takes shelter in the fabled Shaolin Temple after he is deposed by one of his juniors in a murderous coup.
His character sees the error of his violent ways and converts to Buddhism, although this does not stop him using his new-found Shaolin kung fu techniques to fight his enemies.
Lau plays the role with the intensity of a Method actor – which he is not – and is especially convincing as a villainous general who will even kill his best friend to safeguard his power.
