City of Darkness

I didn't read the book or comic so I watched it without prior knowledge. This movie got really great set pieces remind me of old shops I have visited in Hong Kong when I was little. The set pieces and art directions is top notch and respect to they chosen to film close ups of it all during the end credits.

But story wise it is a run off the mill revenge and triad story, so if you were gonna to expect some interesting story it quite lacks it. Next to that the more interesting stories were happening around the main story, with people working in the walled city and especially the little girl doing all kinds of odd jobs was more interesting then the all the main character combined and also the only character you really feel most for. But also it feels like we are missing a whole prequel movie that was shown in the flashbacks moments, to understand the main story a lot better.

The movie has a lot of over the top action, but also comic characters who are over the top with special moves. But for me the final fight felt it dragged on for too long.

For me for I wished they made another movie with these set pieces, but too bad all of it is long gone as they were filmed several years ago. I would rather watched a less triad involved simple romantic or coming of age stories set in the walled city.

Finally I can see silver lining in HK movie after all these ten years. This is what a signature movie of HK style should be like. I'm delighted to see a movie that is so "Hong Kong". Old plot is never outdated, it is about how to present in a modern way. The brotherhood of the gangsters were so touching. No MSGs, no grandstanding, no too much focus on the old movie stars - this is just what we, the audience, want.

The Kowloon Walled City is always a mysterious legend to me, I must give credits to the production team for building such a beautiful replica of the city. No matter you like the plot or not, I suggest everyone who like HK culture or miss the old HK to watch this in the theatre.

I expected great fight scenes, great backdrop, some over acting, and a bit of fun. I got this.

The beginning was a good setup for the film and drew me in immediately. The main actor was very good.

The first half was actually better than I expected. It was well paced and gave you a good understanding of the character and how he finally felt at home with a new family while also not losing out on some action scenes. Plus, the environment was wonderfully dystopian and looked just what I imagined Kowloon would have been like.

The second half, OH MY, was a whimsical, non-sensical, over-the-top, non-stop fighting fest. It certainly wasn't 'The Raid' standard but it was still a fun watch.

Overall, totally worth a watch.

Soi Cheang's Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In throws us into the heart of the Kowloon Walled City, a labyrinthine sprawl of crime and community in pre-handover Hong Kong. Lost and adrift, Chan Lok-kwun (played by a capable newcomer) stumbles into this hidden world, forced to navigate its treacherous alleys and forge unlikely bonds with its denizens. While the fight choreography is undeniably impressive-think balletic brawls with a dash of Jackie Chan-esque acrobatics-the narrative itself struggles to find its footing.

The film's greatest strength lies in its historical context. Cheang masterfully recreates the claustrophobic chaos of the Walled City, a place where desperation and resilience go hand-in-hand. The production design is phenomenal, capturing the grimy underbelly of the city in meticulous detail. We see makeshift markets, overflowing with life, nestled beneath the looming concrete jungle. This immersive world-building is further enhanced by the film's colour palette. The muted greens and browns that predominate, punctuated by bursts of neon signage, perfectly reflect the harsh realities of life inside the walls.

However, the plot itself feels a tad derivative. The wide-eyed outsider finding redemption within a community on the fringes is a well-trodden path, and Twilight doesn't offer much that's fresh. Philip Ng's portrayal of the main antagonist, who consumes scenery with gusto, comes off more like a caricature than a fully developed foe. The film also suffers from some pacing issues, particularly in the second half. The frenetic energy that propels the first act gives way to a drawn-out final showdown, complete with an overuse of CGI that detracts from the otherwise impressive fight choreography.

That being said, the performances elevate the material somewhat. Louis Koo exudes quiet charisma as a wise mentor figure, and Raymond Lam brings a relatable vulnerability to his role. The camaraderie between the young leads is believable, even if their characters lack depth. The editing, while occasionally frenetic, keeps the action sequences engaging, even if it sacrifices some clarity in the fight choreography.

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a visually stunning and well-acted homage to a bygone era. It falters with a predictable narrative and some reliance on special effects, but the film's heart lies in its exploration of a unique historical setting. Fans of Hong Kong action cinema and anyone interested in the Kowloon Walled City's legacy will find much to appreciate here. However, those seeking a groundbreaking story or innovative action sequences might leave feeling a little shortchanged. Overall, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a fun, albeit familiar, ride through a fascinating world, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of the genre's best.

This film featured a star-studded cast, such as Hong Kong film veteran Sammo Hung and Louis Koo, while TVB drama fans would be familiar with Raymond Lam and Wong Tak Bun. Heavenly King Aaron Kwok made a minor appearance as a guest star.

Those who love kungfu fighting and gangster movies, this may be suitable for you. Fight scenes are aplenty, especially after the 2nd half and towards the ending. Since this movie's original sources was from a novel and comic ("manwa"), there are fight scenes which are over the top and illogical. But I wonder, wouldn't it be better for the overall movie if they just made the entire show more realistic by omitting those fanciful effects?

Main strengths of the movie:

1) The main setting of the movie featured the Kowloon "walled city"/slums which was depicted in a realistic manner, and camera angles were panned well. This area has historical significance in Hong Kong. I thought it was a unique idea to bring these to the big screen.

2) The beginning part of the movie was done well too, with the main characters in the "walled city" being quickly introduced and building up the suspense between the various factions of power.

3) The main theme of loyalty and brotherhood was consistently emphasised and showcased. The movie direction was clear.

Flaws of the movie: The lack of a solid ending was the Achilles' heel. It was just too convenient to resort to the conventional style of good vs evil. Too many fighting scenes led to deprivation of screentime for character development, especially the villain played by Philip Ng, who could had offered more.

Conclusion: It is an interesting film if you're longing for some Hong Kong martial arts movie. But this isn't near Hong Kong's best.