{{Short description|2024 Hong Kong film by Oxide Pang}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox film | name = High Forces | image = HighForces.jpg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | native_name = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes | t = 危機航綫 | s = 危机航线 | l = Crisis Ground Track | p = Wéi Jī Háng Xiàn | j = Ngai4 Gei1 Hong4 Sin3}} | director = [[Pang brothers|Oxide Pang]] | producer = [[Andy Lau]]<br>Alvin Lam | writer = [[Sun Chan]]<br>[[Bai Yu (actress)|Bai Yu]] | screenplay = | story = | based_on = | starring = [[Andy Lau]]<br>[[Zhang Zifeng]]<br>[[Qu Chuxiao]]<br>[[Liu Tao]] | narrator = | music = | cinematography = | editing = | studio = Universe Entertainment<br>[[Focus Group Holdings Limited|Focus Films]]<br>[[Tianjin Maoyan Weiying Culture Media]]<br>Yingming Culture Communication<br>[[Tao Piao Piao|Shanghai Tao Piao Piao Movie & TV Culture]]<br>Sun Entertainment Culture<br>Universe Matrix Century Films Distribution (Beijing) Company<br>Universe Films Distribution | distributor = {{ubl|Universe Films Distribution {{small|(Hong Kong, Worldwide)}}|Intercontinental Film Distributors (HK) {{small|(Hong Kong)}}}} | released = {{film date|df=y|2024|09|30|China|2024|10|10|Hong Kong}} | runtime = 115 minutes | country = Hong Kong<br>China | language = Mandarin | budget = | gross = $41.6 million<ref name=NUM>{{cite web |access-date=10 November 2024 |title=High Forces (危机航线) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/High-Forces-(2024-China)#tab=summary |website=The Numbers}}</ref> }}
'''''High Forces''''', formerly known as '''''Crisis Route''''', is a 2024 Hong Kong-Chinese [[action film]] directed by [[Pang brothers|Oxide Pang]], produced by [[Andy Lau]], and starring Lau, [[Zhang Zifeng]], and [[Qu Chuxiao]]. Lau plays an international security expert who combats against hijackers on board the [[Airbus A380]].
The film was first announced in March 2020 and production officially began on 27 September 2021<ref name=start>{{cite web|url=https://www.bastillepost.com/hongkong/article/9320340-%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E8%90%AC%E7%B1%B3%E9%AB%98%E7%A9%BA%E6%99%BA%E9%AC%A5%E5%8A%AB%E6%A9%9F%E8%80%85-2|title=劉德華萬米高空智鬥劫機者 - Bastille Post|date=28 September 2021 }}</ref> and ended on 19 November 2021.<ref name=wrap/> ''High Forces'' was theatrically released on 10 October 2024.<ref name=ol>{{cite web|url=https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20240725/1721897507958/%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E3%80%8A%E5%8D%B1%E6%A9%9F%E8%88%AA%E7%B7%9A%E3%80%8B%E9%87%8D%E7%8F%BE%E8%B1%AA%E8%8F%AFa380-%E8%90%AC%E5%91%8E%E9%AB%98%E7%A9%BA%E6%A9%9F%E8%89%99%E9%81%87%E6%AE%BA%E6%A9%9F|title=劉德華《危機航線》重現豪華A380 萬呎高空機艙遇殺機 (17:36)}}</ref>
==Plot== Gao Haojun has [[mania]]. Once, during a traffic jam, a severe episode led to a car accident that caused his daughter, Gao Xiaojun, to lose her eyesight. Haojun's condition didn't improve, and later, he was even detained for fighting. His family fell apart - his wife, Fu Yuan, left him, taking their daughter with her, leaving Haojun overwhelmed with guilt.
Years later, Haojun rebuilt his life as an international security expert with Hangyu Airlines. On the maiden flight of the airline's [[Airbus A380]], he unexpectedly crossed paths with his ex-wife and daughter as he boarded the luxurious aircraft. However, during the flight, 12 hijackers seized control of the plane and its 800 passengers at an altitude of over 10,000 feet. As the hijackers began mercilessly killing passengers, Haojun stepped up, using both his intellect and physical prowess to fight back. His daughter and wife secretly assisted him.
Through the concerted efforts of many, the plane made an emergency landing on a ring road using a specialized truck, and all the hijackers were either killed or arrested. Haojun also reconciles with his ex-wife and daughter in the aftermath of the incident.
==Cast== *[[Andy Lau]] as Gao Haojun (高皓軍), an international security expert who has mania. *[[Zhang Zifeng]] as Gao Xiaojun (高小軍), Gao's 18-year-old blind daughter who has great observation skills despite her disability. *[[Qu Chuxiao]] as Mike, the leader of the hijackers. *[[Liu Tao]] as Fu Yuan (傅源), Gao's ex-wife and Xiaojun's mother. *Guo Xiaodong as Li Hangyu (李航宇), CEO of Hangyu Airlines. *[[Jiang Mengjie]] *[[Jiang Chao]] *Gao Shuguang *Wang Longzheng *[[Eric Chou]] *Zhang Yao *Zhang Yang
==Production== Universe Entertainment chairman Daneil Lam first announced the film in March 2020, where it was titled '''''A380''''', and was in talks with [[Andy Lau]] to star while production was set to begin in summer of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fareastfilms.com/?news_post_type=universe-films-announces-the-white-storm-3-and-andy-lau-starrer-a380|title=Universe Films announces 'The White Storm 3' and Andy Lau-starrer 'A380'}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/454699/%E5%AF%B0%E5%AE%87%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%96%AB%E6%83%85%E5%BE%8C%E9%96%8B%E6%A9%9F-%E9%83%AD%E5%AF%8C%E5%9F%8E%E9%A0%82%E6%9B%BF%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E6%8E%A5%E6%89%8B%E6%8B%8D-%E6%8E%83%E6%AF%923|title=寰宇電影疫情後開機 郭富城頂替劉德華接手拍《掃毒3》？|date=30 March 2020 }}</ref>
On 9 March 2021, it was announced that Lau would be starring in the film as well as serving as producer, with Alvin Lam as co-producing and [[Pang brothers|Oxide Pang]] directing. [[Liu Tao]] and [[Zhang Zifeng]] were also confirmed to be participating in the film, respectively playing the wife and daughter of Lau's character. With the film's title changed to '''''Crisis Route''''', production was set to begin in early September of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/487473630_745722/?pvid=000115_3w_a|title=即将开拍《危机航线》，刘德华和刘涛做"夫妻"，值得期待|website=[[Sohu]] }}</ref>
Principal photography for the film officially began on 27 September 2021, which was also Lau's 60th birthday, in [[Qingdao]]. The film held a production commencement ceremony that day as well as a birthday celebration for Lau. An interactive teaser poster was released which features a QR code when scanned with a cellular phone, an announcement of a plane hijacking can heard spoken by actor Guo Xiaodong, who plays a CEO of an airline company in the film. Being the first Chinese-language film to feature the interior of the [[Airbus A380]], the film reportedly spent HK$300 million to build a 1:1 replica of the aircraft.<ref name=start/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news-print/180796/Andy-Lau-wishes-world-peace-on-his-60th-birthday-with-pre-recorded-video|title=I will meet you in your dreams!" says Andy Lau on his 60th birthday|newspaper=The Standard|location=Hong Kong|date=27 September 2021|accessdate=27 October 2022}}</ref>
Production for ''Crisis Route'' officially wrapped up on 19 November 2021.<ref name=wrap>{{cite web|url=https://www.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20211119/1637319685674/%E3%80%8A%E5%8D%B1%E6%A9%9F%E8%88%AA%E7%B7%9A%E3%80%8B%E7%85%9E%E7%A7%91-%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E5%BC%B5%E5%AD%90%E6%A5%93%E3%80%8C%E7%88%B6%E5%A5%B3%E6%AA%94%E3%80%8D%E9%BB%98%E5%A5%91%E5%8D%87%E6%BA%AB|title=《危機航線》煞科 劉德華張子楓「父女檔」默契升溫 (19:23)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/html/andy-laus-movie-wraps-filming-065400145.html|title=Andy Lau's new movie wraps up filming|date=22 November 2021 }}</ref>
The film released new posters at the 2023 Hong Kong Film & TV Market (FILMART) showcasing its new English title, '''''High Forces'''''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/filmart-2024-buzz-titles-from-hong-kong-and-china/|title=Filmart 2024: buzz titles from Hong Kong & China}}</ref>
==Release== ''High Forces'' was theatrically released on 10 October 2024 in Hong Kong.<ref name=ol/>
==Reception== ===Box office=== In Hong Kong, the film debuted at No. 6 during its opening weekend, grossing HK$1,852,858 (US$188,839) during its first four days of release including previews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W41/?area=HK&ref_=bo_rl_table_1|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 41 October 10-13, 2024}}</ref>In its second weekend, the film grossed HK$1,528,653 (US$196,722), moving up to No. 2, and have grossed a total of HK$3,381,511 (US$435,166) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W42/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 42 October 17-20, 2024}}</ref> During its third weekend, the film grossed HK$918,124 (US$118,161), coming in at No. 3, while having accumulated a total gross of HK$4,713,676 (US$606,641) so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W43/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 43 October 21-27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/hong-kong-weekly-box-office|title=Hong Kong Weekly Box Office}}</ref> In its fourth weekend, the film grossed HK$282,801 (US$36,364), coming in at No. 8, while having accumulated a total gross of HK$4,996,477 (US$642,470) so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W44/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 44 October 31-November 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/hong-kong-weekly-box-office|title=Hong Kong Weekly Box Office}}</ref>
In China, the film grossed US$25.2 million in its opening weekend, debuting at No. 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1335|title=China Weekly Box Office (09/30 - 10/06/2024)}}</ref> In its second weekend, the film group US$8.4 million, moving up to No. 3, while having grossed a total of US$33.6 million by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1336|title=China Weekly Box Office (10/07 - 10/13/2024)}}</ref> The film remained at No. 3 during its third weekend grossing US$5.9 million while having accumulated a total gross of US$39.5 million by the .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1337|title=China Weekly Box Office (10/14 - 10/20/2024)}}</ref> In its fourth weekend, the film grossed US$2.7 million, coming in at No. 6, and have grossed a total of US$42.3 million so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/|title=China Weekly Box Office (10/21 - 10/27/2024)}}</ref>
===Critical reception=== Edmund Lee of the [[South China Morning Post]] gave the film a score of 2/5 stars, calling it "a bizarrely conceived, if also intermittently entertaining action thriller" while criticizing the logic of the screenplay and premise and writes, "as an action icon who often also backs himself in a co-producer capacity, Lau should better realise that the idiotic stories he fronts are eating into his star image."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3281549/high-forces-movie-review-andy-lau-fights-hijackers-stupid-chinese-aircraft-thriller|title=High Forces movie review: Andy Lau fights hijackers in stupid Chinese aircraft thriller|date=8 October 2024 }}</ref>
==See also== *[[Andy Lau filmography]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Andy Lau}} {{Pang brothers}}
[[Category:2024 films]] [[Category:2024 action thriller films]] [[Category:Hong Kong action thriller films]] [[Category:Chinese action thriller films]] [[Category:2024 Cantonese-language films]] [[Category:2024 Hong Kong films]] [[Category:2024 Mandarin-language films]] [[Category:Films produced by Andy Lau]] [[Category:Films directed by Oxide Pang]] [[Category:Films about aircraft hijackings]] [[Category:Films about terrorism in Asia]] [[Category:Films set on airplanes]] [[Category:Films shot in Shandong]] [[Category:Airbus A380]] [[Category:Chinese IMAX films]] [[Category:Chinese 4DX films]]