The most beloved Canon films have an ingenuity and charm that overcomes budgetary restraints. Whether it’s spectacular stunts or a sense of danger that the big studios can’t compete with, there’s something wild about them that audiences loved then and still do. Written and directed by Dung Luong Dinh, 578 Magnum feels like a Golan/Globus production during the low-budget studio’s heyday.
Hùng (Alexandre Nguyen) is a trucker who has a close relationship with his 6-year-old daughter. He drops An (Thanh Thán) off at school in preparation for a long haul. But An is promptly kidnapped by goons working for Thai (Ngọc Tỉnh), whose father, Mr. Kwan (Hoáng Phúc), is the mafia boss of the land. But, Hùng uses his special forces training to track down his beloved child. While major impediments are thrown his way, Hùng finds an ally in a female trucker named Bão Vi (H’hen Nie). Will Hùng survive long enough to find An before it is too late?
578 Magnum boasts somewhat choppy editing during the non-action sequences. The opening with Hùng and An talking on the way to school is oddly timed, with the edits seemingly half a second off. Hùng and Bão Vi meet when he drives by her broken-down truck. The way the scene is spliced together makes it appear that he doesn’t notice her at all until he stops. A conversation with Mr. Kwan and his yes men about An is geographically awkward for a meeting in a room around a table.
“…Hùng uses his special forces training to track down his beloved child.”
The story is also been there, seen that. It is a variation of Taken, Walid, Trapped, and, to some degree, Edge Of Darkness. A parent uses their impressive combat skills to find/track/avenge their child. The plot holds no surprises, so parts of the film feel like the wheels are simply spinning.
But 578 Magnum excels in two critical ways. First, the martial arts are second to none. While there may have been a stunt person or two, it is very evident Nguyen is doing most (all?) his own stunts. The hand-to-hand combat is exciting, and every punch and kick moves the narrative forward. The sheer thrills provided by the several action scenes (there are just so many) buoys the film well above any flaws and the humdrum story.
Secondly, the film features strong, engaging performances. Nguyen is easy to root for, and his determination is never questioned. Tỉnh is effectively creepy and off-putting. Phúc is menacing and proves his mettle most impressively when push comes to shove. Thán is adorable and shares good chemistry with her on-screen dad. Nie is fun and conveys the gravity of the situation well.
578 Magnum does not tell a fresh tale, and the editing leaves a lot to be desired. But Dinh delivers where it counts: the action. The action scenes are stellar and will take the audience’s breath away. The cast is also great and delivers their martial arts with intensity.
For more information, visit the 578 Magnum Film Movement page.
"…the action scenes are stellar and will take the audience's breath away."
