Originally a Japanese comedy film released as 'Key of Life' in 2012. Then it was remade in 2016 by the Korean film industry as, 'Luck Key' and now 5 years later, forward to 2021, its China's turn to remake it as, 'End Game'. I am at odds to understand why it was deemed worthwhile to warrant three releases by three different nations? The story is not that impressive and the script lacks a comedic touch altogether but, I believe that is because this is a black comedy drama that would be served best as a purely live Theatre stage performance. It would have much more freedom to express both verbal and visual comedic expression. As a film its to restricted and hampered by less flexible rulings!
I love Andy Lau as an actor (I have done since I first saw him in film some 20 plus years ago) and he puts in a good, but subdued hands tied, performance. His costars are perfectly in balance with their roles but it just doesn't kick-start into top gear at all. In fact I found myself so bored with the first 15-20 minutes of the film that I almost stopped play (and I have never done that with an Andy Lau film...ever!). However it suddenly started to up the pace which helped keep my continued viewing but, it still had a lackluster flow to it...not a rubbishy film but rather a dragging its heels meander! Its a bit much when the star factors of a film turn out to be lighting, cinematography, camera work and editing.
Not the best film of the year and so I would hope we won't see another Asian country remaking it but, it could be worse I suppose...you could have some Hollywood idiot decide to give it a go, Oh HELL NO! Because we all know what happens when Hollywood tries to remake Asian films in a Western way, don't we?!
