MovieChat Forums > Du zhan (2013) Discussion > Chinese Cinema Challenge

Chinese Cinema Challenge

posted 11 years ago by allenctroutman
6 replies | jump to latest

Another PRC knock-off, but still enjoyable. In the last ten years of HK and Chinese cinema the "Invisible Hand" of the PRC almost makes watching these movies a real challenge. Regardless of plot, subject, content, time period, etc., there is always only one potential outcome or victor; the PRC. This makes watching every film like watching 'Triumph of the Will.' And every director must feel like Leni Riefenstahl.

I really enjoyed watching this movie on many levels. Hong Lei as the captain was superb, Louis Koo was great, Michele Ye was a bit of a wind up toy throughout the movie; one tempo and no emotion. Overall the acting was good. Strangely, I was determined to enjoy the movie as an homage to many other great movies. Louis played a pretty good Verbal/Keyser. Uncle Li was our Kobayashi. The "mute" shoot out was my favorite part, giving Boondock Saints a run for their money. The climactic shootout was all to "Heat" for me. Another level on which I enjoyed the film is as an observer of Chinese and Hong Kong cinema over the years. The seemingly requisite task of towing the PRC line: Chinese police are clever, true blue and have the dedication of a Samurai. Capitalists/Titans of Industry are ruthless, frivolous, and bourgeois. Powerful drug dealers, 'can be anyone'!! Your funny uncle, your fancy aunt, etc. And drugs are very bad. Not only will drugs probably kill you, but they won't even get you high. Really, it is an amalgamation of all drugs, causing simultaneous alertness and despondence, hypnotic sedation, tachycardia and hallucination, finishing with a lovey sense of bugs crawling all over your skin. Truly a wonder drug, it's no wonder why it is in such high demand. Lastly, I loved the Buicks, particularly when in 'Sport Mode".

[–] lightningcows 11 years ago

I would agree with "Heat" influence. Also, when Timmy (Louis Koo) was shooting at the female cop to lure out the other cops in hiding, that reminded me of "Full Metal Jacket".

Still, I liked that the deaf brothers were at least able to escape initially. Interestingly, this is the second movie that I have seen recently that featured sign language.

As for the PRC, I did notice that the police weren't aware of what the effects of drug use were or the methods to counter-act it. It is unclear if that is some sort of commentary or just a plot device to have the police further trust Timmy.

[–] aetheriality 11 years ago

totally agree with you. this movie is *beep*

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[–] TheExpatriate700 11 years ago

I've got to differ with you here. For something made in and for the PRC, this came across as pretty daring. Although the characters slip into stock villain mode at the end, many of the drug dealers come across as very human and arguably more sympathetic than the police in better than half the movie. The scene where the mute brothers honor Timmy's wife by burning the money was especially moving.

Angel to some, demon to others.

[–] rowmorg 10 years ago

It was absolutely stereotyped in every way. For example, the women were all moving dolls and had few lines. The hero cop was made of steel and held on to his captive even in death (not sure how that worked, wasn't Louis Koo first manacled to the car?). The drug effect was ludicrous: also a pure stereotype. (Only Hollywood devotedly gets the drug effects right, because everyone uses them. Chinese film-makers and actors evidently don't. Anyone who does has already been executed.) Not a single character ran out of bullets, stereotype again. In spite of this the movie worked like magic. It just proves that the movie-maker does it all, stereotypes or not.

[–] carpener-606-111297 8 years ago

Hey "rowmorg". Just came here to call you a retard. Your review on Escape from New York and how John Carpenter can´t direct made me laugh. EFNY is awful. YET...Lay the Favorite (2012) is highly recommended and Malavita (2013) (the family) is good. Make the world a favor and blow your lack of brains out !

[–] rowmorg 8 years ago

Complete absence of brains noted years ago. Request forgiveness.