A World Without Thieves (2004)

This is my first review, so i hope it will be helpful.

Tian xia wu zei-Exciting and heartwarming!
the Story is a kind of road trip movie that changes the lives of the main characters.
on the one hand you have the couple that travels around china, who use their intelligence and skill to steal and trick anyone and everywhere they can. they are played by Andy Lau, one of the greatest chinese actors, and Rene Liu. I really like the development of their love-story through the movie. the emotions are played out very well.

on the other hand you have this really naive country-guy, Sha gen, played by Wang Baoqian, who is returning home from the big city after years of working with all his savings to find himself a wife. he is so innocent and truthful that you want to hit him for being so stupid, but you can't help but like him a lot.

the plot is mainly happening on the train all of them are travelling together. While the woman is slowly developing a friendship with Sha gen, there is another group of thieves who is trying to steal the money from him. so they have to protect him against those attacks. it always makes you wonder: will they be able to protect him or will they steal the money themselves in the end?

what i really like about the movie is that you can see many different places in china and learn about chinese culture. it shows a lot of things that are in my opinion typical about china.
even though there is some martial art action scenes, when the thieves are batteling, it's not too exaggerated. you still get the feeling that everything is real and that life could be happening like this in china. i think that's mostly due to the main characters. the story makes you feel there is something good in everyone and although the story is a little sad, after watching this movie I had a feeling of relief. like.. everything is good now the way it is. it's hard to explain for me.:D

but anyways if you want to learn about china and like movies that keep you thinking afterwards, i'll recommend you to watch this.
and if you like Andy Lau you MUST watch this!;P

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I can't believe there's no so much review about this movie or not so many have watch it! This is a must watch and I really love the story, it is very touching, inspiring and I think everyone who will watch this will be entertained!

I love the acting skills of Andy Lau and Rene Liu, they are so good in here. I also love how the cinematography made it inside a train (since most of the scene were there), also you can have a good look of country side of Mainland China. The slow motion of the fighting scene in very small space was excellent and breath taking, plus the good music!

I am always jumpy in every scene! a must watch!

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"People can't be worse than wolves"

A World Without Thieves starring Andy Lau, Rene Liu, and Ge You had packs of thieves on a train all stalking a naïve young temple carpenter unwisely carrying his life savings. The cast alone made this film worth watching for me.

Wang Bo and Wang Li are thieves looking to fence a BMW in the Gansu province. Li is ready to retire and live a normal life, something Bo has no interest in. When they stop at a temple for Li to pray, Bo makes use of the time pickpocketing the other worshippers. The two agree to part ways when Li insists she’s turning over a new leaf. At the train station, Li befriends a young man who doesn’t believe there are any thieves and announces to the crowd that he is carrying 60,000 yuan ($8000 USD). Li is determined to protect him and his funds while Bo strategizes how to steal them, all while fending off the other thieves he has identified. Before long, it appears that there are more wolves than people on the train all seeking to fleece the innocent lamb.

Lau and Liu had great chemistry as the bickering couple. Lau’s job of being taken seriously was undermined by one of filmdom’s worst wigs ever. Spoiler alert, the wig was murdered later in the movie which all but made me stand up and cheer! Ge You wasn’t outshone as the leader of a gang of thieves. A master of disguise that didn’t fool many people he was the perfect foil for the lovers. An egg peeling duel between Bo and Uncle Li was fascinating. Li Bing Bing played Uncle Li’s very limber #1.

The cinematography, especially in the first part of the movie was stunning. The open vistas and mountains tried to steal focus from the photogenic actors. Once on the train, the feeling became more claustrophobic with thieves circling each other and the hapless and clueless carpenter. There were several fights in tight spaces that were shot super close and more balletic than realistic. And apparently, several of the characters had ride on top of a train in their bucket list.

A World Without Thieves was a comedic thriller for much of the running time. This being a Chinese film, don’t put too much trust in the almost campy thief competitions of one-upmanship. It’s all fun and games until the blood starts flowing. The story of redemption and just deserts was wobbly in places, but like gifted pickpockets, the strong cast were successful in drawing attention away from the film’s weaknesses…most of the time.

“Even ghosts will work for money.”

19 February 2025

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