daseiyi

This is an unusual Stephen Chow movie in that it isn't as nonsensical as it could have been, but more touching. It reveals a lot more about Stephen Chow, who also came from a very poor background, and worked his way up to where he is. He doesn't want to lose sight of it, and wants the audience to know it's OK, he no longer has to sneak his values and disguise it in mo lei tou anymore. This movie is in line with what he wants to point out- that one may have a heart no matter what station of life, and that only the poor can rise to greatness as only they can understand the true values in life. Of course, his pick-up line at the end was hilarious as he tried to woo the pretty teacher. She asked him how he was feeling, and he says something is wrong with his body, he is far too handsome now. She said that's really funny! He said, no, not funny, I am really too handsome!! Ha ha ha.

Takes a couple of repeat viewings to really know what's going on, but this movie grows on you each time. A movie of character studies, without drum roll or fanfare, about characters who we expect to care less about in the beginning. Unpretentious and non self-conscious. Films this quiet and moving are rare. Hilarious if you are observant and paying attention to all the small moments. The main loser is played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, whom few expect to be a character actor. However, he couldn't be more natural. Every still moment, deep breath he takes, contemplative smoke, showed his incredible depth and range. It takes you by surprise because few character actors look this good. The dialog is well written and excellently sparse. The actress loser Carmen Lee was excellent though seemed more scripted than Kaneshiro, but they had some excellent interactive moments. Highly recommended for film viewers of any nationality, though Hong Kong is displayed in a much more narcissistic and seedy way than usual. This is a film about high self-esteem, the change in life that can come about even for a loser, if he had enough integrity and belief in himself.

I have seen many Tsui Hark movies, and many wuxia films, and lots and lots of solid martial arts films. This is by far one of the worst. It has moments of beautiful cinematography, sure, and Donnie Yen is terrific as always. However, the choppy pacing, the unnecessary melodrama in the wrong places, and the otherwise well choreographed fight scenes spliced by dizzy camera work made this film one of the worst wuxia films to appear in the recent past. That and lots of pretentious dialogue, stock character development, and a poorly structured story makes the original intented themes of betrayal and heroism a 'who cares' film. Too bad.