San ging hap lui (2005) Reviews

• A FABULOUS movie!!!!!!!

  anasamas2005-08-17

  What an unexpected surprise when I took a chance on this wonderful little film from Hong Kong. I was anticipating another HK police/action procedural, but the story develops into much more than that. Within the opening minutes, you come to realize that this film has a completely different tone and rhythm than most of the genre. It has the familiar mismatch pairing of the veteran male beat cop with the rookie female fresh out of the academy, but you can't help enjoying the relationship between these characters. The script contains quite a bit of laughs but there is also plenty of heartfelt drama, a little social commentary, a bit of romance, even a few life lessons. Somehow, it all works! Eason Chan and pop princess Joey Yung deliver fine performances as the leads. Plenty of eye candy is on display as in addition to these two, director James Yuen has about six actresses playing different roles in the film, one more beautiful than the other. HK's own Francis Ng does a terrific turn as Shing, the "crazy" in the title. Speaking of Yuen..he directed this, co-wrote it, and I can't wait to see his other work. Terrific, unique, breezy style. This film kept zipping along and you're never really sure just where it will go. Gorgeous cinematography! A real treat--this is why I love Asian cinema!

• Surprisingly engaging movie

  Ms_RitaFairbanks2005-10-23

  I had expected another typical HK police movie, but as the movie progressed I was very much corrected in my assumptions. As it was starring Eason Chan and a number of other "crazy/nonsensical movie" stars (i.e. actors specialising in doing silly movies), I thought it would be weird and typically insane, but how the story and the characters developed, it really made you feel for these characters. You felt pain when the little girl gets killed, you feel the same anguished vengeance as the best friend and the relatively crazy man cried (on separate occasions), you feel depressed & conflicted as the main cop character, and you feel hope and love overwhelm when the relatively crazy guy finds love. This movie actually touched me in a way, and was definitely not what I expected from my Saturday dose of HK cinema. :)] I actually recommend it. I never thought I'd recommend a Chan film, or any film with those crazy actors in it, but the movie is surprisingly engaging. Some parts seem unintentionally nonsensical (as in, "Stop running and just pull out your gun already! Shoot him!") but the movie is largely believable, and very moving.

• Great movie

  gracek_gk2013-09-23

  **May contain spoilers - I wanted to give it a 8.5 as it isn't quite a 9, but IMDb won't let me... so I rounded up! I am a huge fan of Francis Ng, and so naturally, I would watch this film. I am typically a supporter of HK film, but it is to no doubt that the HK film industry has changed itself for the China market. Therefore, a lot of films since the early millenia has since lost a bit of the HK flavour. However, this movie, being released in 2005 kept a lot of the HK edge and successfully captivated the audience in a typical but different HK police story. The story line is nothing new; a weathered cop is paired with a fresh blood who is upbeat and hopeful. This brings out the best in the first cop which leads to his discovery and renewed passion for his profession. This story very strangely, but convincingly, ties in a character named Shing (Francis Ng), who is suffering mental issues from a problematic past. He finds new love to a neighbour who moves upstairs who clearly has a kind heart and hopes to make some money for her daughter. As the story progresses, the two progress and fall in love...but I will write no more. This movie has everything. It has comedy, drama, action, scenes where it makes you cringe, scenes where you regain faith in humanity, scenes where it is completely surreal, and scenes where it captures the utter truth. This has everything and it is one of my favourite HK films of all time. It deserves a watch!