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Reviews14
solo-11's rating
I first watched this movie when I was rather young. After 13 years, I've just re-watched it. Still a brilliant piece of work. Often, I'd be bored watching old films which I had thought the world of. But this movie still amazes and excites me after so many years.
I am sure the more violent scenes were cut from the version I watched, because I vaguely remember moments that were a lot more shocking. But I would't classify it as a "violent" movie, because there was a lot of meaning to it. If I as an elementary school child could take it, it shouldn't be any more gruesome than The Ring 2.
Simply watching Chow Yun Fatt was a treat in itself. His acting was intriguing and absolutely intense. Never did a moment pass that he wasn't giving in his best. The smiles and the stares, the jokes and the scorn, the singing and the scolding... and who would forget his orange with 3 cigarettes? No kid from a chinese-speaking family doesn't remember this classic arrangement.
Tony Leung, another great actor, could be seen shining in his own right. Although much of the glamour belonged to Chow Yun Fatt, Tony Leung's performance in the suicide scene, and the sheer ignorance in his eyes as he incurred the wrath of just about everyone, were truly commendable. He was the "stupid little lamb" in the film.
Watch this film, and you'd find "Anna and the King" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" terrible jokes. I still can't believe Chow Yun Fatt starred in these 2 films. From an Asian's point of view, his recent Hollywood films were disappointing. His roles in these new films were a far cry from his memorable performances in "The Story of Ah Lang", "A Better Tomorrow" and this film. Special effects can't be everything in a movie. Realism is more important.
And don't walk away without learning how to sing the prisoners' favourite song! *Yian sum yu sei shueang yao do siu...*
I am sure the more violent scenes were cut from the version I watched, because I vaguely remember moments that were a lot more shocking. But I would't classify it as a "violent" movie, because there was a lot of meaning to it. If I as an elementary school child could take it, it shouldn't be any more gruesome than The Ring 2.
Simply watching Chow Yun Fatt was a treat in itself. His acting was intriguing and absolutely intense. Never did a moment pass that he wasn't giving in his best. The smiles and the stares, the jokes and the scorn, the singing and the scolding... and who would forget his orange with 3 cigarettes? No kid from a chinese-speaking family doesn't remember this classic arrangement.
Tony Leung, another great actor, could be seen shining in his own right. Although much of the glamour belonged to Chow Yun Fatt, Tony Leung's performance in the suicide scene, and the sheer ignorance in his eyes as he incurred the wrath of just about everyone, were truly commendable. He was the "stupid little lamb" in the film.
Watch this film, and you'd find "Anna and the King" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" terrible jokes. I still can't believe Chow Yun Fatt starred in these 2 films. From an Asian's point of view, his recent Hollywood films were disappointing. His roles in these new films were a far cry from his memorable performances in "The Story of Ah Lang", "A Better Tomorrow" and this film. Special effects can't be everything in a movie. Realism is more important.
And don't walk away without learning how to sing the prisoners' favourite song! *Yian sum yu sei shueang yao do siu...*
To tell the truth, I didn't finish watching the entire series. And this is due to the fact that the first episode was horrible.
This drama was broadcast at the same time in Japan, Singapore and Philippines etc, as part of the promotion during the "japan-craze" in SEA, which is still raging on now.
The first episode was not interesting at all. My entire hostel block went down to watch it, but many students went off after the second commercial break.
The series was both slow and unrealistic. Despite the scenes and people being very beautiful, the drama came across as "plot-less" and "meaningless". Why would love in year 2000 be such a wishy-washy flop?
I wouldn't recommend it to those who like some plot in their shows. For those who like to watch beautiful people, this might be the one for you.
4/10
This drama was broadcast at the same time in Japan, Singapore and Philippines etc, as part of the promotion during the "japan-craze" in SEA, which is still raging on now.
The first episode was not interesting at all. My entire hostel block went down to watch it, but many students went off after the second commercial break.
The series was both slow and unrealistic. Despite the scenes and people being very beautiful, the drama came across as "plot-less" and "meaningless". Why would love in year 2000 be such a wishy-washy flop?
I wouldn't recommend it to those who like some plot in their shows. For those who like to watch beautiful people, this might be the one for you.
4/10
Strangely enough, I watched the movie before I watched the TV series.
In short, the movie is just another long episode in the TV series. If you take it that way, you'd probably love the movie as much as the TV series.
The movie is unable to stand on its own. First-time viewers will be puzzled by the relationship between Aoshima and Muroi. Many will be disappointed by the relative ease at which the cyberkiller and kidnappers were caught. But those are not the main points of the story.
The stratification and redtape within the police force tend to take centre stage in the TV series, and in the movie too. The police officers of Wangan branch were unable to participate in case investigations because they are "just a branch". And Aoshima got into trouble (at the end) only because he had to wait for the headquarters to officially arrest the kidnappers. Muroi, on his way up the rankings, finds it impossible to take care of his subordinates at the frontline.
Prospective viewers are recommended to watch the TV series first, although it makes no difference if you are a fan of Japanese dark comedy. Then treat this movie as another TV episode as you watch it, because it is really just a TV special.
In short, the movie is just another long episode in the TV series. If you take it that way, you'd probably love the movie as much as the TV series.
The movie is unable to stand on its own. First-time viewers will be puzzled by the relationship between Aoshima and Muroi. Many will be disappointed by the relative ease at which the cyberkiller and kidnappers were caught. But those are not the main points of the story.
The stratification and redtape within the police force tend to take centre stage in the TV series, and in the movie too. The police officers of Wangan branch were unable to participate in case investigations because they are "just a branch". And Aoshima got into trouble (at the end) only because he had to wait for the headquarters to officially arrest the kidnappers. Muroi, on his way up the rankings, finds it impossible to take care of his subordinates at the frontline.
Prospective viewers are recommended to watch the TV series first, although it makes no difference if you are a fan of Japanese dark comedy. Then treat this movie as another TV episode as you watch it, because it is really just a TV special.