When you have former world boxing champion Mike Tyson and action movie legend Steven Seagal starring in a Chinese film, you'd expect something explosive. But China Salesman (คู่ระห่ำ เดือดกระแทกเดือด) doesn't deliver full excitement. Despite some decent action scenes, the story is weak and forgettable.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story follows Yan Jian, a young Chinese IT engineer sent to North Africa to help his company bid for a major communication project. The winner will control communication between southern and northern Africa. Meanwhile, Michael, a French spy working for a Western group, wants to win to control Africa's vast mineral resources. He hires Lauder (Steven Seagal), a skilled mercenary, and Kabbah (Mike Tyson), a ruthless former general. Yan Jian must uncover the truth and stop their evil plan.
Acting and Characters
The main selling point is seeing Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal together, but both have disappointingly small roles. Mike Tyson plays General Kabbah, who looks intimidating but has almost no dialogue or standout performance. Steven Seagal seems to just show up, without showcasing his signature fighting style. Lead actor Li Dongxue delivers a stiff performance with no charisma, while Janicke Askevold and Li Ai have barely any memorable character depth.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Directed by Taliep Bester, a relatively unknown name in big cinema. The cinematography is decent, with some beautiful shots of Africa, but the action scenes are choppily edited and lack continuity. The music is generic and fails to enhance the film's emotional impact. Overall, the technical aspects fall short of Hollywood or high-quality Chinese film standards.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team believes China Salesman tries to attract audiences with global stars but forgets to build an engaging story and characters. The script is clichéd and slow-paced. The pairing of Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal could have been used more effectively, rather than just as promotional tools. The film would have been more enjoyable with sharper action choreography and a smarter script.
Verdict
China Salesman is only for die-hard fans of Mike Tyson or Steven Seagal who want to see them in a film. But if you're looking for quality action, skip this one.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Features Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal
- +Some fight scenes are decent
- +African filming locations provide a unique atmosphere
👎 Cons
- −Weak, forgettable story
- −Global stars have very limited roles
- −Poor action editing
Top Cast
FAQ
Yes, Mike Tyson plays General Kabbah, but his role is very small and doesn't showcase his boxing skills.
Yes, he plays Lauder, a mercenary, but also has a limited role.
If you expect a thrilling action film, you may be disappointed. The story lacks depth and the stars have minimal screen time.
No, it's a fictional story about business and politics in Africa.
