The Prosecutor

Yen remains as magnetic as ever, and whether punching bad guys in the face or shouting down naysayers in a courtroom, there was never a moment I didn’t believe that the emotionally pugnacious conviction driving his performance was genuine.

The Prosecutor is perhaps best enjoyed as the meta story of an action star who refuses to be aged out of his metier; at a time when the Hong Kong film industry might be expecting less of Yen, he’s actively finding ways to ask more of himself.

As a Donnie Yen vehicle that showcases the star’s still-amazing physical skills and moves at a pacy clip for almost two hours, “The Prosecutor” has the storytelling energy and visual panache to smooth over the rough spots.

Each new scene adds something to the movie’s inflexible, but entertaining vision of an ailing society with one proven remedy—a little extra Donnie Yen Energy.

While its courtroom drama may lack excitement, Yen crafts some inventive action as his fists deliver what the Department of Justice cannot provide.

Donnie Yen is back—this time trading punches for legal arguments! In The Prosecutor, Yen steps into uncharted territory as Fok Chi-ho, a former cop turned prosecutor seeking justice in the courtroom. 


It’s all a rollicking good time, with a heavy helping of justice on top.

My hope with The Prosecutor was that Donnie Yen would shout OVERRULED! regularly before beating up criminals with a flurry of punches, 17 dropkicks, and top it off with an emphatic suplex. It delivers that on top of a gripping story and superb cast.

“The Prosecutor” sees Yen at home in his comfort zone, adding another sturdy action-thriller to his impressive résumé.

The Prosecutor 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.