It's a gritty gangster movie in which Shanghai triads reach their limits when they reject the Japanese government. The story spans the period before, during, and after the Asia-Pacific War in the 1940s. The costumes and sets are brilliantly staged. The time jumps in the narrative invite the viewer to think or revisit. The worldview presented is gloomy. The characters are brutalized and consumed by mistrust. The women serve as victims or instruments that can be used - male gaze alarm!
However, beneath this surface, a monster of infinitely many different facets builds up, constantly shifting or rearranging perspectives. This happens in a very calm tone and is accompanied by beautiful music.
Thus, the movie is depressing in its way, as the waste of years is actual. Hatred, mistrust, envy, lust, and anger have blinded many characters to everyday life, and so they live in their dark microcosm of confinement.
Fantastic movie! Cheng Er already won my heart with his amazing spy movie, Hidden Blade, and now he did it again. He is one of the directors I'll keep an eye on in the future.
I really liked the movie. It's been fun to follow their missions and endeavors. I don't understand why other people have been confused about the synopsis. It's pretty easy and straightforward. Nothing to be confused about.
It's way better than all the recent Hollywood productions about Godzilla. The movie builds upon its roots, filled with social criticism, allegories, and satire. I enjoyed all word battles as much as the monster fights.
I'm used to better Taiwanese productions. But I watched it for Ivy, and that's why I can't complain at all. She's gorgeous and convincing, as expected.
In contrast, you get a script filled with gaps and weird scene cuts. The pace also seems off. So, I can really thank Ivy for saving the B-movie and reaching the credits.
The drama revolves around two financially disadvantaged friends who, after a night of drinking, decide to abduct their wealthy friend. Although the premise may initially suggest a comedic tone, the opposite is true. The show effectively highlights the consequences of poor decision-making and the pervasive influence of money in society, while also offering a cautionary tale of the myriad ways a kidnapping can fail. The narrative is infused with a palpable sense of tension and tragedy, making it a compelling watch. While the characters are not necessarily endearing, they are certainly fascinating. Despite some familiar K-drama tropes, the show succeeds admirably and offers eight hours of engrossing entertainment. It is highly recommended and not to be overlooked.
What did I just watch? I expected the typical rom-com and got a super weird “Thai meets India” production with cringe-worthy acting, terrible humor, and unexpected musical numbers. The movie was actually so bad that it felt epic at one point - like an unexplainable cult classic in the making. I also wondered the whole time if we witnessed cultural appreciation or cultural appropriation… I leave the judgment to others. For the most part, I’ve been confused because of the wooden acting and unnatural dialogues. I think I only made it to the end thanks to Bright's smile and my bias towards him.
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However, beneath this surface, a monster of infinitely many different facets builds up, constantly shifting or rearranging perspectives. This happens in a very calm tone and is accompanied by beautiful music.
Thus, the movie is depressing in its way, as the waste of years is actual. Hatred, mistrust, envy, lust, and anger have blinded many characters to everyday life, and so they live in their dark microcosm of confinement.
Fantastic movie! Cheng Er already won my heart with his amazing spy movie, Hidden Blade, and now he did it again. He is one of the directors I'll keep an eye on in the future.
https://youtu.be/gYNcc2EoDUU?si=NL3_6l7qVMGoJMbu
In contrast, you get a script filled with gaps and weird scene cuts. The pace also seems off. So, I can really thank Ivy for saving the B-movie and reaching the credits.