Protégé

Right hook! BAM! The HK audience is knocked out!

Protégé pulls no punches at all. It is by far one of the most disturbing mainstream films I've ever seen (from Hong Kong), with certain scenes resembling those of Nicolas Cage's 8mm. This makes Protégé quite unique, and delivers a powerful and thought provoking message to those curious about hard drugs. Very Hollywood feel here.

However, I have a mixed response to the movie itself. While it's certainly not bad, it never really "wow'd" me either. It's decent, which gets it a 7 rating, and if you have the stomach for some very sick and disturbing scenes (like I said, it pulls no punches, it pushes the rating to the limit), go ahead and rent it. I think perhaps that I'm not used to seeing Daniel Wu in this sort of role, I won't reveal too much but let's just say he's come a long way in his acting career, this particular role might've been suited to someone else, someone newer and more raw. Don't get me wrong he is good, but it's very different to his more recent projects.

Daniel Wu - Good ..... Andy Lau - Good/Great ..... Louis Koo - Great ..... Jingchu Zhang - Brilliant, memorable ..... Anita Yuen - Fat! ..... The little girl - Very cute!

Oh, last but not least, watch out for the raid scene. It's friggin awesome, it's evidence that Hong Kong cinema is finally moving forward again, and it's picking up speed!