Dai zek lo

I did not expect the depth that this film mines when buying tickets yesterday for "Running on Karma" starring Andy Lau. In fact, when it began, I cringed wondering how campy it could possibly be. This first impression quickly transformed as some special effects were artfully used to convey that I was in for fast and thought-provoking ride.

The violence in the film stops just short of being gratuitious. In fact, it is quite purposeful and well done. As a whole, the film has a little of everything that attracts me: the supernatural, special effects, humor, love story and surprise, surprise, an actual heartfelt message that provides the viewer with 'the big picture' on life. I wanted to give the flick an 8.5/10 but opted for the 8 since this system does not take half points.

By the way, seeing this film is Hong Kong has the added effect of illustrating one of the film's points: there are many layers to our day-to-day 'reality.' This may not have such a strong effect for the viewer who lives elsewhere.

I'm sitting her slack jawed and wondering what in the hell these people were smoking or ingesting when they made this off kilter little film. To say that this film is unique is an understatement.

A body building ex-monk who dances as a male stripper and who can see the future gets mixed up with a police woman going after a killer. Mix in some laughs, comic book villains, some very bloody deaths, some serious action, discussions of the nature of the universe and predestination; shake well and perhaps, just perhaps you may get an idea of what this film by Johnnie To is like. Then again you may not since this film operates in its own orbit, going from pillar to post on its own crazy course.

Its a flawed film, thats so incredibly quirky that it never really seems to pull it all together. Normally not pulling it all together will kill a film, but here you don't really mind simply because it simply being different than pretty much any other film ever made. Its not a bad thing, unless you're looking for a movie that you're going to want to watch more than once.

If you want to see a movie thats certainly unlike any other film out there this film is for you. But be warned its bumpy and imperfect and you may hate yourself for liking it in the morning.

About the movie, it's entertaining, wonderful story, fantastic make-up techniques and efforts, Cecilia Cheung has improved a lot in interpreting the young policewoman who is in search of a good life ending, good good good as a whole...

Yet, please tell me the names of the two Indians who have taken pains to act well at the beginning? Why no credits to them? I kept searching for their names both in Chinese translation or English romanization from the roller for three times but in vain. Discrimination against the Indians or Pakistani does exist in Hong Kong. But now even China is taking about something like "bridging with the international scene", please learn something from USA or Europe. On their film rollers, carpenters or people who has taken small part(s) got their names on it. That's international.

it has been a long time watching film doesn't leave any strong feelings to me... I left feeling conflicted, yet enlightened.. Perhaps one of the best Andy Lau's best performance in his acting career. Cecilia Cheung did a good job as well. There were some good action and a bit romantic scenes, there were some "strong' scenes that makes me freaked out as well,but I think it i necessary. The script and plot is great. Please make sure you watch the HK version not the Chinese cut. Go and watch for the experiences.

What do you want from your movies? A shaolin monk turned stripper/bodybuilder with psychic abilities? A young female Hong Kong cop cursed by her former life as a murderous WW2 Japanese soldier? A mysterious mountain-dwelling, serial-killing hermit who's evaded the authorities for five years? A karmic feud between two men dating back generations? A rage-filled police chief who thinks nothing of beating and/or killing suspects to get results? Well, look no further than Running on Karma! Co-Directors Johnny To and Wai Ka Fai throw all these ingredients into the mixer and come up with one original cinematic cocktail. By turns funny, tragic, romantic, horrific and action packed, Running on Karma is a film that could only have been made in Hong Kong. Great performances from Cecilia Cheung and Andy Lau make you care about the characters and their fates, despite the loopy/deep(?) storyline that will have your brain spinning. No description of this film is a match for actually seeing it, so what are you waiting for?