14 reviews
This movie would be great if it's concepts were original. The script is basically a mash up of several Hollywood concepts/twists which are by the way, very apparent to the viewer. The film felt dragged out a lot of the time.
Kevin Spacey does what he does best. He's a well trained actor and it shows in his work. I think Daniel Wu did alright considering who his supporting actor was.
There are ways to answer questions clearly and ways to answer them subtly (something the show 'Mad Men' does very well). This movie went for the latter and didn't do a very good job of it. It was confusing in a bad way, especially with how Daniel Wu's wife was portrayed.
I will give a kudos to Spacey for stepping into the Chinese market before the rest of Hollywood's actors realize what early exposure there now could do for their global careers in the future.
Kevin Spacey does what he does best. He's a well trained actor and it shows in his work. I think Daniel Wu did alright considering who his supporting actor was.
There are ways to answer questions clearly and ways to answer them subtly (something the show 'Mad Men' does very well). This movie went for the latter and didn't do a very good job of it. It was confusing in a bad way, especially with how Daniel Wu's wife was portrayed.
I will give a kudos to Spacey for stepping into the Chinese market before the rest of Hollywood's actors realize what early exposure there now could do for their global careers in the future.
- bobbyxie1984
- Jun 6, 2012
- Permalink
The writer and director of this film was Dayyan Eng. His story relates the unusual experiences of Li (Daniel Wu) a design engineer at an up and coming industrial firm which makes human prosthetic limbs. He is good at his job, but now comes under tremendous pressure to hurry up and finish his latest design, which seems to have a flaw in it. At the same time, his marriage is falling apart and he seeks desperately to save it. However, he finds life difficult and far too demanding to deal with and decides to commit suicide. However, like everything else in his crumbling situation he is interrupted by Chuck (Kevin Spacey) a very noisy neighbor, who offers to help. Having tried medicinal drugs, Li discovers they create more problems for him and Chuck's advice only turns him into a Superhero. The movie is briefly comical, but it is not sustained. Indeed, with the likes of Kevin Spacey and with character actor (Armagoddon) Peter Stormare this audience member expected much, much more. As it is, Spacey's exceptional talents are wasted and the movie submerges into deep waters where it is relegated to sink on it's own. ***
- thinker1691
- Sep 6, 2013
- Permalink
- KineticSeoul
- Jan 18, 2013
- Permalink
- perseusathenian
- Dec 5, 2013
- Permalink
Review: I really didn't enjoy this movie because I found it quite boring and uninteresting. I worked out the whole plot from the beginning, without knowing the storyline, so I just tried to concentrate on the annoying subtitles which spoiled the movie for me. I liked Kevin Spacey's character but he wasn't that involves in the whole movie. It was more about Li who whose losing the plot. I got tricked by the poster because I thought that it was going to be like Kick Ass, but it ended up being a drama which moved at a slow pace and was quite disappointing.
Round-Up: Kevin Spacey seems to be doing any and everything nowadays. He will never hit the form that he did in movies like Seven or Usual Suspects because they just don't make movies like them anymore, which is a shame. He will always be well respected in Hollywood, but I find his mannerisms and gestures repetitive. All of the other actors couldn't have done that much more with there roles and I haven't seen them in anything else to compare there performance to.
I recommend this movie to people who like there dramas about how people deal with stress. 2/10
Round-Up: Kevin Spacey seems to be doing any and everything nowadays. He will never hit the form that he did in movies like Seven or Usual Suspects because they just don't make movies like them anymore, which is a shame. He will always be well respected in Hollywood, but I find his mannerisms and gestures repetitive. All of the other actors couldn't have done that much more with there roles and I haven't seen them in anything else to compare there performance to.
I recommend this movie to people who like there dramas about how people deal with stress. 2/10
- leonblackwood
- Aug 24, 2013
- Permalink
Kevin Spacey. Do you like him? If so, you should probably like this film because, like so many of his films of late, he basically carries the whole affair. That's not saying the other actors are bad (they're all quite good, actually), but it's just that Spacey has the best part, therefore all the best lines to go with it.
It's about a young man who's basically having a bit of a breakdown - his job and marriage are both in turmoil, but things start looking up when he meets his neighbour, Spacey, who gives him some radical advice on taking charge of his life. Before long, the pair are donning costumes and looking for trouble.
It's also a bit of a mind-bender. Don't expect it to be an easy ride when it comes to near the end and the frequent use of subtitles will mean you have to pay attention at all times.
It's not the most original of films (in fact there's a very famous film starring Brad Pitt that it - loosely - reminded me of, but I won't say which as it might give away important plot points). However, Spacey is as good as ever and it's a watchable way of spending an hour and a half. It's not a classic, but you shouldn't feel too disappointed.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
It's about a young man who's basically having a bit of a breakdown - his job and marriage are both in turmoil, but things start looking up when he meets his neighbour, Spacey, who gives him some radical advice on taking charge of his life. Before long, the pair are donning costumes and looking for trouble.
It's also a bit of a mind-bender. Don't expect it to be an easy ride when it comes to near the end and the frequent use of subtitles will mean you have to pay attention at all times.
It's not the most original of films (in fact there's a very famous film starring Brad Pitt that it - loosely - reminded me of, but I won't say which as it might give away important plot points). However, Spacey is as good as ever and it's a watchable way of spending an hour and a half. It's not a classic, but you shouldn't feel too disappointed.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
- bowmanblue
- Jul 30, 2014
- Permalink
- KentaroGod
- May 7, 2022
- Permalink
finally a film that is not some epic warlord/kung fu waste of cash. This story thoughtfully told with humor and wit is a breath of fresh air. This is so much better than flowers of war by Zhang Yi Mou. That film failed to move me at all and left me cold. Amazing because it seems china is favoring stylish fluff over substance, which is Director Eng's film really is unique. Kevin Spacey and Daniel Wu work really well together as a crime fighting duo. Layered with subtleties , the film has the ability to make you laugh and understand that todays china is filled with some major problems for everyday citizens. Here is hoping this will be released stateside for others to be able to watch.
- expansivethinking
- Mar 1, 2012
- Permalink
You can look at this as the ultimate redemption movie. Chuck saves Li while Li is literally at the end of his rope and hilarity ensues from there. The thing about this movie that some reviewers missed is that this movie isn't about comedy, that's a by product. Sure some of the plots have been reused, then again it's SOOO difficult to find a movie that isn't a rehash of other movies today that it's easy to forgive the light borrowing in this one. The movie is stitched together with a purpose, with meaning. THAT is the point of this movie.
On the downside the movie has lulls which are a distraction rather than help move the story or tell the story. Some of the gags do not come off quite like the writer probably envisioned. Overall though this is a good movie and carries a strong message.
On the downside the movie has lulls which are a distraction rather than help move the story or tell the story. Some of the gags do not come off quite like the writer probably envisioned. Overall though this is a good movie and carries a strong message.
Some things shouldn't be separated. And this "Tag Team" that forms here is one of those "things". Over 50 % of the movie is in Chinese (unless you watch a dubbed version in your country), but that shouldn't make this movie less appealing to you. The dreams, desires and ambitions portrayed here do not feel far removed to anyone (well some of them and the others are at least understandable).
For those of you who have been watching movies from China from time to time, you will notice the main actor in this. You might see a few things coming (it's right there ... or not), but that doesn't take the fun away from things. Nicely played and executed with much gusto. A superhero movie that isn't just that
For those of you who have been watching movies from China from time to time, you will notice the main actor in this. You might see a few things coming (it's right there ... or not), but that doesn't take the fun away from things. Nicely played and executed with much gusto. A superhero movie that isn't just that
In the same depth as Inception and Shutter Island. A Tragedy and Recovery. Thoughtful journey and emotional struggle. Very Enjoyable, subtly comedic, well planned and insightful. Good Character Development, Wonderful Acting, and enjoyable soundtrack. Good Storytelling, and is deeply insightful. Certain scenes left me curious, and questioning, progressive content, and great locations. Defiantly Worth a Watch. I don't really want to talk to much more about the story, as you need to just see this movie. If you love getting lost in the story, and connecting with the main character, this gives you a chance to feel his thoughts and to think as he would, to really sympathize with the character, and question your own thought process and existence.
- kodilane-450-539730
- Aug 14, 2012
- Permalink