Twins Mission

Granted, this 2007 Hong Kong movie is listed as a comedy, action and crime movie, which is essentially also what the movie does have, along with a dash of comedy. However, the movie just had a hard time making up what it wanted to do and in what direction it should go. Well, not the movie as per se, but director To-Hoi Kong.

The storyline in "Twins Mission" (aka "Seung ji san tau") is a bit of a scrambled mess and somewhat of a mixed bags of nuts. Certain parts of the storyline are interesting, while other subplots are just fillers and really clutter up the movie unnecessarily.

"Twins Mission" is adequately paced, but the storyline just felt wobbly and was a bit all over the place, which ultimately led to the movie ending up feeling like a mediocre movie at best.

Even with a cast that included Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Gillian Chung, Charlene Choi, Wah Yuen and Sam Lee, to mention but a few, then the movie didn't fare all that well. I suppose it was the writing of Siu-Ming Tsui and Sai-Keung Fong that sort of had the movie going in every single direction all at once, and never coming full circle.

If you enjoy Hong Kong action comedies, then there are far better choices readily available, as "Twins Mission" was but a mediocre addition to the genre. While the movie could be watched, it is hardly a movie that I would recommend you spend your time, money or effort on.

My rating of "Twins Mission" lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars.

What a great opening - the action/stunt set piece(s) in the beginninng set a nice tone for the rest of the movie. Of course it also sets the table for why or rather what everyone is looking for. There are quite a few characters which may feel a bit too many for some.

But overall it works and it's not so much the story that will keep you hooked. It will be the action set pieces and the stunts. And they work quite well. So while there are better movies story wise, if you like eastern and the action they provide you can risk more than a look into this one

Sheer loyalty and affection for the Twins has brought us to this one. Not only do the two lovelies represent the beloved Xbox 360 in Asia, they've also grown quite a bit since the early 2000's, when they were unbelievably annoying in fare like Summer Breeze of Love.

Intervening years have seen them partake in more involved projects and become deeper rooted in "serious" acting, to wit Charlene's recent Diary and Gillian's role in 49 Days. Well, maybe this has worked better for A-Sa (Charlene to the uninitiated), but you get our drift.

Rejoice, then, for all that progress has now been swiftly given a kick in the boot and almost sent packing with Twins Mission, third entrance in the eponymous Twins cinematic franchise, and one that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the previous two.

While the first Twins Effect was a capable film, starring favorite sons Ekin Cheng, Edison Chen and Anthony Wong, this new release has hardly any meaningful highlights to recommend it. Stroywise, you get the same old tricks and excuses to send the dashing heroines by way of all kinds of menacing baddies and hazardous situations, with little else going on.

This flies in the face of the talent deposited within. Aside from the maturing Twins themselves, who are not as irritating as their younger selves from six years ago but hazardously close, Mission has Sammo Hung with his cigar-munching habits, a fact that has long-standing martial arts fanatics cheer as he enters the stage. However, even mighty Sammo can only do so much, and he's been in a couple of duds over the last few years. Here he's just as affable as ever, albeit in too limited a capacity to affect salvation.

Similarly, Wu Jing brings his usual subdued charm and kick-ass gong fu prowess to the fore, and may every action star be like him. But potent he may be, one thing he's not is a superman. There's no helping a run of the mill movie even with all the skilled fighting in the world.

Another unexpected boon are bona fide twins Mona and Lisa Ch'ng, brash and alluring as a pair of evil lookalikes who attack the goody two shoes titular Twins (who, of course, look nothing like each other) at every possible Guangdong turn. Yes, Twins Mission doesn't even have actual Hong Kong locales as best we could tell, pulling an X Files by relocating production across the border to cheaper environs.

But since the technical aspects of this motion picture are at least acceptable, and the martial arts choreography quite impressive, one has to surmise it's the screenplay that took the greatest budget hit, since Twins Mission has a most minimal story.

A gang of scheming, hostile twins (including the super sexy Mona and Lisa- check them out!) holds up a train carrying a mysterious Tibetan artifact, which then accidentally makes its way to Hong Kong (most likely de facto Shenzhen).

This is where our intrepid non-biological Twins join the adventure, aiding and abetting Lau Hey (Wu Jing) and Lucky (Sammo) as they fight to get the magical object back to prevent some unexplained calamity. The artifact has great healing powers and is thus coveted by many, including greedy developers and an innocent, H2-driving beauty (Jess Zhang) who needs it for her way-too-young sister.

Yuen Wah makes repeated appearances as both the main villain and the Twins' mentor and Principal. There's a bit of going on about how some twins go down the good path while others become twisted (like Mona and Lisa, don't forget), and in the end almost every character seems to have some doppleganger or other, but none of this makes the slightest bit of difference. As don't a few enjoyable comic relief moments featuring surprising ethnic diversity and an amusing Steven Cheung. Even in its comedy, Twins Missions come out short.

You can go into this affair expecting an action bonanza and emerge disappointed, for in spite of a few good sequences, it isn't all that. You could also sit back and behold the pretty young women on screen and come out satisfied, but then again that's not saying much for longevity.

We're just hoping to get more servings of Mona and Lisa soon, that's the bottom line here.

Rating: * * *

The whole plot of "Twins Mission" is based on a gimmick! You might have guessed the use of twins! Almost every character in this movie has a twin! Even the snakes at the final have twins (hahaha! I don't know if this is a reference to "Metal Gear Solid" But if it isn't than it should be,because that would be funny and smart) ! Other than it is fun to watch twins in action i can't see the point of using these twins! Normally twins cause confusion when they switch identities! Only at one occasion a mistake like this is made! This is a missed opportunity! It could have been more exciting! The movie is filled with stunts and martial arts! There is a lot of humor and even a touch of drama! But the real treat is actor Wu Jing (Fatal Contact,Tai Chi Boxer)! He really is in excellent form! If it wasn't for him this movie would be below average! He and his skills lift this movie to a higher level! Sammo Hung also stars in "Twins Mission" but doesn't has a big role! It is too bad they didn't let him do much more! "Twins Mission" is not bad! Thanks to Wu Jing!

Who cares about the predictable plot and the silly sight gags. Just the mention of twins should have alerted the viewers that the non-twin Twins would be involved with their usual action hi-jinx. That there are actual twins involved adds to the inside joke. The action is well paced and well choreographed - and everyone seems to have decent martial arts skills.

The photography was above par with excellent production values. The blending of doubles and CGI with fine wire work make this effort one of the best for special effects in this genre. The breaking glass sequences one after another made me think of the crash sequence in Blues Brothers (not that there is any comparison - it's just that there seemed be endless ways to crash cars - er, break glass).

Who needs complicated gangster plots with surprise revelations as to who are the good - who are the bad guys? This is a nice, simple story with lots of fun action - and the promise of a sequel.