How Gordon Chan’s The Final Option and its sequels helped change Hong Kong police movies

1994’s The Final Option, starring Michael Wong, was such a hit it spawned a prequel and sequels. We recall them and how they were received

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Michael Wong as police commander Stone Wong in a still from First Option (1996). 1994’s The Final Option, which introduced his character, was such a hit, it spawned this prequel and two sequels. Photo: Online

Published: 2:45pm, 13 Apr 2025

Director Gordon Chan Kar-seung (Beast Cops) wanted to reshape the Hong Kong police film genre with 1994’s The Final Option, and the result was a classic. Lesser sequels followed.

The Final Option (1994)

A classic of 1990s Hong Kong cinema, The Final Option is action filmmaking of the highest order. The story about the Royal Hong Kong Police force’s Special Duty Unit (SDU), has a gripping storyline, believable characterisations and some excellent tactical assault sequences.

“Finally, a crime story that is intelligently scripted, directed and acted,” said the Post’s review.

“What distinguishes The Final Option is that Chan chooses to deal with his material in a more realistic fashion, underplaying the combat and emphasising the interpersonal drama. The emotional subtext is particularly mature for a Cantonese movie.”

Michael Wong Man-tak, in the best role of his career, stars as Stone Wong, the tough, military-style commander of the SDU. Much of the film has Stone training a team of young recruits to be battle ready and work as a team, while doing his best to make sure they are prepared enough to avoid injury.

What made the film different in 1994 was the extended focus Chan gave the personal lives of the SDU team.

Young recruit Ho (Peter Yung Kam-cheong) is in a troubled relationship with May (Carman Lee Yeuk-tung), who is best friends with Stone’s fiancée, who worries about the commander being shot every second of the day.

The personal elements are expertly woven into the plot and depict how personal problems can influence, usually negatively, the way police officers do their jobs.