A poster of the TV drama Armed Reaction 2021 with lead actor Moses Chan and actress Jessica Hester Hsuan. Photo: Weibo

Armed Reaction 2021, a new continuation of the iconic TVB cop drama series that first aired more than 20 years ago debuted its first episode on Monday, stirring up Chinese mainland netizens' feelings of nostalgia with images of "cool" Hong Kong police. 

Featuring popular stars such as Jessica Hester Hsuan, Moses Chan and Joyce Tang from Hong Kong's major television broadcasting company TVB, the new installment focused on Hsuan's role Diana and Chan's character Hanson as the two worked together to deal with cold cases, while Hanson helps Diana overcome a fear of guns stemming from her traumatic experience of once being held hostage by a criminal. 

Netizens took to China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo to discuss the episode after it aired. While some doubted that the new production will be able to surpass the classic series or said it seemed to have lost its "soul," others remained positive, saying that they were looking forward to it especially because they have nostalgia for and appreciation of Hong Kong police films and TV productions. 

"This was my childhood favorite. I've seen it probably N+ 1 times," said a netizen on Sina Weibo. 

"My favorite character in the film is Chan Sam Yuen, she is so cool. Hong Kong cop films are so sa [cool and gutsy]," said another. 

"In terms of genre, it has continually tried to break from the traditional brotherhood narratives to develop some new interesting stories. In terms of form, Hong Kong directors are distinctive, such as Wu Yusen's 'violent aesthetics.' It gives the audience a unique pleasure," Shi Wenxue, a Chinese film critic told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"In terms of value, such productions highlight humanistic care, respect for a rational legal system and constantly explore the social issues behind the cases." Shi added, explaining the distinctive traits that attract fans to Hong Kong police films and TV dramas. 

As a police comedy-drama, Armed Reaction 2021 has added more joyful characters and humorous plots, while also embracing a full new cast except for Tang, who returns to her role as the attractive cop Chan Sam Yuen from the previous series. 

"The drama contains narrative that show virtues such as 'resilience,' 'independence' and the somewhat androgynous 'gutsiness' of female cops, but delivered such qualities in an effortless manner, I mean, with some laughable stories," Xi, a freelance filmmaker who wrote her thesis on Hong Kong cinema, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"But it also shows their feminine side; looking for love and being caring. Tough and soft qualities collide to shape a vivid character." 

Prior to the newest installment, the extremely popular Armed Reaction series produced four installments from 1997 to 2004. Fans can watch the most recent episode on video streaming platforms such as Tencent Video.