Hing dai

The production values are respectably high for this rather ordinary and typical Hong Kong gangster flick. The requisite shoot-outs and car chases are interesting and hold ones attention, but unfortunately the story lacks that quality. I did like the fact that Thailand could so easily be integrated into the story. I look forward to seeing a HK gangster film with New York City as the venue.

For the neophyte this could be a primer for HK movies. There is nary a cliché which is not explored. Filial bonds/obligations, brother love - responsibility to ones family and siblings, an incurable illness, betrayal, the irresistible charm of a "bad" boy, responsibility for ones actions, doing the "right" thing, sacrifice, "good" bad guys, "bad" good guys - it's incredible how they can cram all this stuff into one movie! (There's actually more - much more.) So, the over the top acting is the natural complement needed to put the story over.

There's often actions taken (things happen) which keep the story going. Things which have little or no logic - yet, they happen. I often wonder why the writers are so concerned with continuity when the stories have so little logic that continuity really doesn't matter. (It's probably a Hong Kong thing.)

As for the phony blood and such, the acting and dialog usually draws your attention and you don't notice it. (Sometimes the translations are as challenging as the plots.)

Hong Kong gangster movies can be very interesting and educational, but you can pass on this one.