Jogada Mortal

One of Wong Jing's better directorial efforts, GOD OF GAMBLERS sees man-of-the-moment Chow Yun Fat playing an ultra-slick gangster/gambler who has a kind of supernatural ability to win at gambling. His activities soon bring him into contact with small-time crook Andy Lau, and after a bout of amnesia he finds himself caught up in a completely unpredictable adventure.

GOD OF GAMBLERS is a bit of an odd movie, plot-wise. Part of it feels like a slick John Woo thriller, complete with a lengthy and violent shoot-out in a multi-storey car park which wouldn't be out of place in the likes of THE KILLER. The other part of it is a more traditional Hong Kong comedy, a bit like the Jackie/Sammo flick HEART OF THE DRAGON, with some low brow humour and lots of situational stuff mixed in.

I have to say that I found the amnesia sub-plot to be overlong; it dragged the pacing of the film down as a whole, so my favourite parts were the first and final thirds. Saying that, it's still a pretty good little movie, with strong acting from Yun Fat and Lau, who make a good tag-team. The best bits are inevitably the stylish gambling sequences, which are funny and exciting in equal measure, filled with neat twists and some wonderful card tricks. Given this film's success at the box office, numerous sequels followed.

This movie once again demonstrates Hong Kong cinema at its best. At the helm of the movie, Chow Yun Fat demonstrates magnificent acting skills as he is able to act in all types of characters, from being a man trapped in a child-like state, to ultimately being the "God of Gamblers". Andy Lau also gives a very note-worthy performance, as Chow Yun Fats sidekick (even though this is a much younger Andy Lau). The movie itself was pretty good, although I would have preferred if the movie was entirely serious instead of putting comic relief in the middle. Regardless buy this movie, it is a must for people who enjoy Hong Kong cinema!!

No, not much is missing at all. The movie has great actors performing great all around whether it is comedy or action. The action wasn't much emphasized as in rather friendship, but when the action does kick in, it brings you to the same level as John Woo's bullet exchange, and heck, even Dragon (the bodyguard) knows some kick ass moves when he fights.

I did not expect much of this movie at first knowing it wasn't john woo who directed it, but after just the first 5 min i was totally into the movie and had forgotten who directed the movie, because it was equally great, and i couldn't ask for more

get this movie! i can't wait til i get my hands on it's sequels

If this is inspired by "The Color of Money" then Andy Lau would be Tom Cruise ..

Three part movie: First part introducing Ko Chun and getting gambling proposition from Wang to take down Chan .. Second part Ko Chun gambling adventures with Knife, whom is responsible for Ko Chun's memory loss .. Third part Ko Chun getting his sauce back and reestablishing himself as the God of Gamblers

Fun gambling movie with some action scenes and slapstick comedy sprinkled inbetween

8.5/10

Here is one of Chow Yun-Fat's Hong Kong movies. In it he plays a supreme gambler who is tasked with defeating a crime lord at cards but winds up losing his memory after an accident and is taken under the wing of some low level card sharks. This one begins and ends really well, with a good mixture of humour and suspense. The problem is the part in the middle, where Chow Yun-Fat loses his memory and is reduced to acting like a little kid. Even though it is quite interesting having Yun-Fat totally playing against type and stretching his acting range somewhat, the humour does get a bit grating and annoying after a bit (Hong Kong comedy is very broad in general). So, the movie is a bit of a mixed bag, but there is definitely good stuff in here, mainly at the beginning and the end.