The landscape for time-travel narratives in Chinese cinema has shifted dramatically since the early 2010s, when such stories faced scrutiny from censors over historical subversion. Now, a major franchise from that era is making a grand return to the big screen. 'Back to the Past' is a glossy cinematic sequel that revives the hit 2001 Hong Kong television series, 'A Step Into the Past', picking up the story two decades later.
A Return to the Qin Dynasty
The film sees the return of Louis Koo as Hong Siu Lung, the modern-day police officer who remains stranded in the third-century BC Qin dynasty. Having successfully installed his disciple, Chiu Poon (played by Raymond Lam), as emperor, Hong is lying low with his family. Meanwhile, back in the present day, the time machine's inventor, Ken (Michael Miu Kiu-wai), is released from prison after serving time for the botched experiment that marooned Hong.
Ken, feeling his punishment was unjust, bypasses any formal grievance process. Instead, he embarks on a vengeful mission, channelling a Darth Vader-like ambition to travel back in time and seize the Qin throne for himself.
Action Over Anachronistic Comedy
Directed by Jack Lai and Yuen Fai Ng, the film moves at a brisk pace with moments of levity. However, it avoids the expected route of a fish-out-of-water comedy rich in historical anachronisms, akin to 'Les Visiteurs' or 'Back to the Future'. The central thrust becomes an extended chase sequence, with Ken astonishing Qin dynasty footsoldiers by deploying 21st-century weaponry.
While there are some competent action set pieces—a cart escape down a hillside tea plantation stands out—the fight choreography often feels routine. Surprisingly, given the oversight of veteran Sammo Hung, the action frequently resorts to standard gun-fu and is hampered by restrictive close-up shots that limit the spectacle.
Narrative Convolutions and Nostalgic Callbacks
As the plot unfolds, it takes on an increasingly moralising tone. Ken's betrayed daughter, played by Baihe Bai, becomes a vehicle for lectures on megalomania and the weight of history. Furthermore, Raymond Lam's cold-eyed tyrant is repeatedly required to switch back to the character of Hong's misty-eyed ward, a shift that feels particularly forced during nostalgic montages callback to the original 2001 series.
For die-hard fans of 'A Step Into the Past', this return to the warphole may hold significant appeal. However, for a general audience, nostalgia alone proves an insufficient engine to power through the film's soapy convolutions and sententious dialogue. 'Back to the Past' is now showing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland.
