El cerdo, la serpiente y la paloma

A twisted comedy thriller, starring Ethan Ruan as gangster who discovers he is only the 3rd most wanted in Taiwan. Well, that's no legacy, so he quickly plans to eliminate his competitors for the crown. Structurally this film is all over the place, but who cares? I can't remember the last time I had so much fun watching a movie. Played 100% straight, the astonishing comedy comes from the premise itself. No matter how brutally intense the film becomes, it's all hanging off the most ridiculous plot - turning the relentlessly violent proceedings into pure hilarity.

Some terrific performances from Gingle Wang, Yi-wen Chen, Lee-zen Lee and the ever wonderful Peggy Tseng. But this is Ethan's film and he's as compelling as always.

I have ZERO expectation when I got into the theater, FULL of surprise when I left. Taiwan's movies are getting better and better.

The chase scenes are tense and the fight scenes are fiery, full of Taiwan's unique characteristics. There was one scene that I really want to scream at the theater, so good so good. (You know which scene I'm talking about if you watch the film, I give you 10 second to think or LEAVE)

The characters are well developed. Every actor did a great job, especially Ethan Juan, Ben Yuen and Yi-Wen Chen.

The story contains Buddhist principles, is meaningful and full of fun. The Chinese name 'Zhou chu chu san hai' has a inspiring story behind. If interested, you can go check it out.

Really worth seeing.

The storyline is absolutely unbelievable and unrealistic, Taiwanese or not. But what makes this movie entertaining is the fast edits and well paced story which has a new turn every few minutes.

The cinematography is excellent and the direction seems to be on point as well but the dialogues and delivery are also not the best. Acting is fine but also nothing out of the ordinary.

Some scenes are exceptionally well executed and some are utterly bogus. Movie is long and sometimes, by the end, it felt like a drag.

Overall though, it was very entertaining and enjoyable. Sunday evening and you're looking for something easy, fun, forgettable, and not to intellectual to watch, this movie won't disappoint you.

Often enough, I stumble upon movies where I only witness the movie poster and add them solely based on that without going through the movie profile. This was one of that category, I loved the poster, the poster gave me black comedy, thriller, violence vibes and to be fair I was not that far off.

I enjoyed this movie, had a nice interesting and styled on start, moved on with a fine pacing and the ending was good too, something I didn't expected. Two things out of the most that hits me the most when judging a movie is the start and the end, and this film definitely had that, which worked for me. Main character worked wonders for me, the actor portraying it and the character itself. Been a long time since I saw a loner character like this. I loved the actor, will be looking into his profile, hoping he has more thriller/crime genres under him.

Character development subject was poked in other reviews but I feel the story telling for all characters in the movie were apt, it was considerable amount for the main story to progress so I certainly don't agree with others poking on other characters development. The protagonist might not be a saint nor might be the other characters, but I can see the reasoning for everyone's actions. The movie showcases connections between the cop, rescue girl and the doctor, which I feel is sufficient for each of them to get to know the protagonist's doing and reacting to it as they all do in their own ways, from the start to the end.

I feel if someone doesn't buy the protagonist's character then their won't be any interest from the get going failing the movie from start itself. I watched this with subtitles as I am not native but I know how acting depends on the dialogue delivery as well, so from a non-native's point of view, I felt everyone did good in acting. The locations were great, didn't feel cliched or fake.

With that all, I feel the movie deserves to have rating atleast in the 7s, movies like these deserve applaud and I will most certainly do that as it deserves.

This had to be the best Chinese film I watch this year. The chasing fight was intense and brutal , powerful script writing that bring u in character changes. All cast superb in their acting. Bring a lot of memories when it's show the style of classic Hong Kong filming..Too bad this movie not well publize to some Country due to its sensitive content. Taiwan movie really improve year by year , willing to challenge all type of content. Its show to some movie maker u don't have to bring in traffic star or big production to make a good movie. This the only Chinese film I proud to show my foreigner friends in 2023.