Some Reviews are Missing the Point
I wasn't going to write a review, but in seeing some of the other reviews here, I thought I should probably give it some justice seeing as I enjoyed the movie.
Firstly, this is NOT an action movie. This movie has strong political and triad commentaries, and it chronicles the life of a triad boss, more along the lines of a movie about Escobar, Al Capone etc.
Secondly, if you've never visited Taiwan before or grew up in Taiwan, I'm afraid a lot of really good bits about the movie would just fly over your head which is a real shame. For example, everyone was into foot reflexology during the 90s which was a real craze, and it is believed that the blind masseuses are especially good. Scenes at the night market, or yeshi as it is called in Taiwan, was also very iconic, as were the rampant corruption and rampant Triad infiltration into society; so many aspects of the film would create resonance to those who know Taiwan, and create a level of realism unlike other films, but wouldn't do the same for an international audience. Tony Leung's character was also bold and innovative, and his comments about converting Emerald Island, a famous prison, into a golf course for the triads fits his character perfectly, but wouldn't have the same impact to a foreigner.
In the end I would only give it a 7 though, as everything in the storyline is somewhat credible until the ending finale, which is way over the top and shatters all the carefully built up gritty realism. Over the top is the only way to describe the ending scenes, as there is no way things can happen like that, that it feels like it's switched directors or the producers got involved and wanted pyrotechnics and overrode the filming crew.
It's the only blemish to a great movie which I had enjoyed as a political piece about the corruption of Taiwan politics and the influence of their triads. Indeed, even today, Taiwan's GDP and economy is abysmal considering how hard the average citizen works and how it was once the shining star among the Asian Five Tigers.
Firstly, this is NOT an action movie. This movie has strong political and triad commentaries, and it chronicles the life of a triad boss, more along the lines of a movie about Escobar, Al Capone etc.
Secondly, if you've never visited Taiwan before or grew up in Taiwan, I'm afraid a lot of really good bits about the movie would just fly over your head which is a real shame. For example, everyone was into foot reflexology during the 90s which was a real craze, and it is believed that the blind masseuses are especially good. Scenes at the night market, or yeshi as it is called in Taiwan, was also very iconic, as were the rampant corruption and rampant Triad infiltration into society; so many aspects of the film would create resonance to those who know Taiwan, and create a level of realism unlike other films, but wouldn't do the same for an international audience. Tony Leung's character was also bold and innovative, and his comments about converting Emerald Island, a famous prison, into a golf course for the triads fits his character perfectly, but wouldn't have the same impact to a foreigner.
In the end I would only give it a 7 though, as everything in the storyline is somewhat credible until the ending finale, which is way over the top and shatters all the carefully built up gritty realism. Over the top is the only way to describe the ending scenes, as there is no way things can happen like that, that it feels like it's switched directors or the producers got involved and wanted pyrotechnics and overrode the filming crew.
It's the only blemish to a great movie which I had enjoyed as a political piece about the corruption of Taiwan politics and the influence of their triads. Indeed, even today, Taiwan's GDP and economy is abysmal considering how hard the average citizen works and how it was once the shining star among the Asian Five Tigers.
- clubhonda
- Aug 5, 2022