Dai si hing (2018) Reviews

• The Best Hong Kong Film of 2018 - Mr. Kinpachi for 3B Class and Chan sir for 6B Class

  hilaryswank20112018-08-18

  Chinese film development strategies are divided into two tactical categories that one is China-Hollywood cooperation on block busters; the other one is China-Hong Kong-South East Asia cooperation genre films. Audiences of today know the successful example of the former is The Meg (2018), and the latter is this film Big Brother. The story line is simple enough that ex-military kung fu master Chan sir attempts to resolve school problems using a blend of charisma, honesty, humour, wit and kong fu. The second high school of Hong Kong is doomed by bad students with domestic issues, spiteful gangster and silly bureaucrats. The Onizuka of HK solves all of these at the end. This film is a Hong Kong version of the Japanese school TV drama series Kinpachi-sensei (1979-2011) and GTO (1999-2000) with Kung fu essence. The main difference is this Hong Kong GTO actually reflects Hong Kong's typical domestic and social issues. It has a lot of social commentary on issues such as gangster's violence and threats on outcasting of residents of targeted land, racism against Middle East, South East Asian roots minorities, and non Chinese minorities' Hong Kong identity- as well as bullying (of both students and teachers), teenage car driving, teenage suicide, hikikomori, patriarchy and the extreme pressure to do well in school. Our hero is Chan sir which played by the 'Ip Man' Donnie Yen who is the best action star of Hong Kong in the 21st. century. This film is his one of master pieces in terms of emotional expression. However, action sequences are significantly exciting that you can actually witness astonished audiences for his fast cut action montage. The light motif of this film is an eagle even among kung fu action scenes. Their Kung fu action is like flying eagle. Hong Kong action is designed by the concept that Muhammad Ali Says "Float like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee." Wiring actors in action, and it's enhanced digitally by computer animations. Anyway, Kung fu is one of Hong Kong film's essential features. Other feature is Hong Kong's mammoth apartment complex. The Director of Photography Nathan Wong made a consciously framed wide shots which exaggerating the gigantic apartment complex of these ordinary citizens. This imaginary is also typical feature of Hong Kong film. The most impressive scene among all of these is when 'Mr. Vampire' actor Billy Lau played a role of father of a female student who wants to have a car license and freedom of choice decides her future by a cart race. And when a car accident nearly kills her, the father bursts into tears and speaks out his true love despite his patriarchic attitude against her. This is the most artistic moment of the entire film. At the end, audiences are enlightened by Chan sir's maxim: 'Remember. You can do it.' This maxim is not only for Chinese filmmakers of today, but also for all audiences. This film will be the best of 2018. A Humanistic Kung fu Movie.

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• 10/10?

  picklewind2018-09-15

  Are you serious? Although this movie is a very positive movie, it still have A LOT OF problems.

• Touching and Inspiring - a movie with a lot of heart and positive messages!

  tigercanyons2018-08-18

  I went into the theatres expecting a full fledge martial arts movie, but I got more than that. The movie totally blew my expectations away, as Big Brother touches on gender equality, racism and more importantly the flaws in today's education system. The role a teacher plays in his/her students' lives, to inspire and motivate. Reminds me of the hit Bollywood film, 3 idiots, but with more action scenes. Have not seen a movie that brings out so many positive messages for a Long time. Also was not expecting to go into the cinema to see so many people wiping their tears during the movie - a very touching movie with comedic elements and incredible action sequences. A movie with a lot of heart and effort, and deserves to be applauded. Definitely recommended to be watched in theatres! :)

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• Touching & Heart-Warming

  jeymatt2018-08-16

  The story line was repeated by many similar movies before and also very predictable but nevertheless, it's still a good movie worth watching at home over a bluray or DVD. There are a few very touching scenes which would make you shed some tears as well. But if you are expecting lots of kungfu or martial art movie, then this is not the one as actions are secondary in this movie.

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• A film for your body, brain and heart

  kluseba2018-09-06

  Big Brother is a highly entertaining movie that mixes social drama with some martial arts action elements. The movie tells the story of a veteran with a troubled past who comes back to his former Hong Kong high school to work there as a social science teacher. The school faces several problems such as reduced funds, obsolete infrastructures and difficult students. The protagonist uses quite unusual strategies to help his students and invests a lot of energy and time to solve their individual problems. While he soon gets along with his students, his colleagues and the principal are quick to criticize him and Henry Chen soon realizes that being a teacher might become his biggest challenge yet. Donnie Yen's latest movie is so efficient because it combines social drama and action scenes in a very balanced way. The plot is quite mature, profound and serious. The occasional fight scenes offer welcome breaks from the intense content. The film convinces with intriguing characters that have troubled pasts. Viewers will connect with the war veteran who was everything but an obedient student, his former friend and antagonist who wasn't given the chance to realize his dreams and especially the students who have serious problems such as poverty, criminality and addictions. The film comes around with life-affirming, optimistic and positive message that are truly inspiring, especially if you are a student or teacher yourself. Some people might criticize that this film features less spectacular fights than other movies starring Donnie Yen but this reduced and realistic approach suits the film very well. Other people might argue that such an intense social drama would be better off without any big fights at all but the serious content is much easier to digest with these vivid sequences. Big Brother leaves the trodden path, tries out an unusual combination of genres and succeeds almost perfectly to my very positive surprise. If you like social dramas and martial arts films, you will adore this movie that turns out being one of the best in Donnie Yen's impressive career. The content, messages and vibe of the movie will make you think even long after the movie is over. Big Brother is a film for your body, brain and heart and one of the most positive surprises of the year.

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