User reviews

This extremely entertaining Taiwanese neo-noir works both as a pitch-black comedy and as a slick action thriller.

Lone hitman Chen Kui-lin, the film's protagonist, enters the scene with swaggering charisma, murders a gangster, then proceeds to daringly escape from policemen through buildings and rooftops. All of this shot with plenty of energy and bravado. And that's just the first 15-20 minutes of the film.

Soon he learns he's got stage four lung cancer, news that, understandably, put him in a depressive mood. But then he finds out he's only the third most wanted criminal in Taiwan, so he sets out to eliminate his competition before time runs out.

The premise is promising and lets you know you're in for some premium east Asian fatalism. You know that mix of melancholy and unpredictable, extreme violence that permeated the works of, say, Kim Jee-woon or Park Hoon-jung? Couple that with some twisted humor and you've got a winner.

In fact, I've mentioned those directors because this film has distinct two halves, and the first one resembles A Bittersweet Life or Night in Paradise somewhat. Until the second hour, it's a crime thriller with bursts of solid action, polished to a fault. Then it turns into a contemplative drama that reveals the film's more spiritual, reflective side. But surprises are still in store for the viewer.

I love tonally uneven genre films and this one sure fits the bill. Some might not like how it swerves into so many directions before settling down, but I felt like it only added to its charm. Director Wong Ching-Po isn't new to this type of film (if you've seen Revenge: A Love Story, you'll have some indication about how this one turned out), and his script extracts some great performances from the actors. Ethan Juan, as a homicidal protagonist, and Yi-wen Chen, very memorable as a spiritual leader, are standouts.

In all, this is a technically polished, fantastically shot and scored crime thriller which offers more than just surface-level genre pleasures. It's also got a deeply cynical worldview and an aura of eccentricism that work in its favor. Big recommendation.

The storyline is absolutely unbelievable and unrealistic, Taiwanese or not. But what makes this movie entertaining is the fast edits and well paced story which has a new turn every few minutes.

The cinematography is excellent and the direction seems to be on point as well but the dialogues and delivery are also not the best. Acting is fine but also nothing out of the ordinary.

Some scenes are exceptionally well executed and some are utterly bogus. Movie is long and sometimes, by the end, it felt like a drag.

Overall though, it was very entertaining and enjoyable. Sunday evening and you're looking for something easy, fun, forgettable, and not to intellectual to watch, this movie won't disappoint you.

To those suggesting the film is from mainland China, it's important to clarify that, although I am from mainland China myself, this movie was entirely produced in Taiwan. The title may draw inspiration from a Chinese fable, but the creation is Taiwanese. It's crucial not to misattribute achievements or claim recognition undeservedly. Acknowledging our current position without misleading ourselves is vital. I've observed a significant increase in the quality of Taiwanese TV series and films recently, which meet international standards and indicate a thriving industry. In comparison, the market in mainland China faces different challenges. I greatly respect and admire the Taiwanese film industry for its distinct path and the quality it has achieved.

Oftentimes, I refer to IMDb for the reviews of the show before watching it.

True to its rating (7.5 at the time of writing), it's a show with depth. This is unlike other movies you've watched.

I liked that the synopsis provided an insight, yet not enough for you to expect what is to come for the show. I could not find any roles that had acted badly in the show, all the actors/actresses were befitting to their roles albeit small/big. Ethan has yet again showed that he's really the new blood.

The 140mins spent on the movie was really worth it. Catch it, you won't regret it.

It's laughable that someone had given 3/10.

The story of this film is utterly implausible and absurd. However, the quick edits and well-paced narrative, which takes a fresh turn every few minutes, are what really make this film enjoyable.

Although the director appears to be spot on and the cinematography is superb, the dialogue and delivery are likewise lacking. The acting is nothing special, but the main character is fine.

While some moments are incredibly beautifully done, others are completely fake. The film is lengthy, and at points, it seemed tedious towards the conclusion.

All in all, though, it was quite delightful and entertaining. If you're looking for something to see on a quiet night that's forgettable, enjoyable, and not too cerebral, this movie won't let you down.

I have ZERO expectation when I got into the theater, FULL of surprise when I left. Taiwan's movies are getting better and better.

The chase scenes are tense and the fight scenes are fiery, full of Taiwan's unique characteristics. There was one scene that I really want to scream at the theater, so good so good. (You know which scene I'm talking about if you watch the film, I give you 10 second to think or LEAVE)

The characters are well developed. Every actor did a great job, especially Ethan Juan, Ben Yuen and Yi-Wen Chen.

The story contains Buddhist principles, is meaningful and full of fun. The Chinese name 'Zhou chu chu san hai' has a inspiring story behind. If interested, you can go check it out.

Really worth seeing.

A twisted comedy thriller, starring Ethan Ruan as gangster who discovers he is only the 3rd most wanted in Taiwan. Well, that's no legacy, so he quickly plans to eliminate his competitors for the crown. Structurally this film is all over the place, but who cares? I can't remember the last time I had so much fun watching a movie. Played 100% straight, the astonishing comedy comes from the premise itself. No matter how brutally intense the film becomes, it's all hanging off the most ridiculous plot - turning the relentlessly violent proceedings into pure hilarity.

Some terrific performances from Gingle Wang, Yi-wen Chen, Lee-zen Lee and the ever wonderful Peggy Tseng. But this is Ethan's film and he's as compelling as always.

This had to be the best Chinese film I watch this year. The chasing fight was intense and brutal , powerful script writing that bring u in character changes. All cast superb in their acting. Bring a lot of memories when it's show the style of classic Hong Kong filming..Too bad this movie not well publize to some Country due to its sensitive content. Taiwan movie really improve year by year , willing to challenge all type of content. Its show to some movie maker u don't have to bring in traffic star or big production to make a good movie. This the only Chinese film I proud to show my foreigner friends in 2023.

Wanted criminal Chen Guilin (played by Ruan Jingtian) is at the end of his life, only to find himself ranked third on the wanted list. He is determined to investigate the whereabouts of the top two wanted criminals and eliminate them one by one. Chen Guilin thought that he had become a contemporary elimination of the three evils in the world, but he did not expect that the never-ending greed, anger, and ignorance would be the sin and punishment that one must face in life.

Ruan Jingtian used violence to suppress violence, and Wang Jing made his debut on the mainland's big screen! It's not easy to introduce this movie from mainland China.

The pig, snake and pigeon are meant to represent ignorance, aversion and attachment, sometimes also referred to as the "three poisons".

The use of this lofty title is ridiculously laughable given the amateurish scripting and rubbishy plotting.

Had some hope this would be a good gangster action-drama. But within 10 minutes it's clear it's just another stupid showy nonsense filled with tonnes of senseless loopholes.

Even the 'dramatic' scenes are common and tacky, no better than cheap tv soap.

Watch this if you want to see guys 'realistically' bashing up one another just for the sake of it mixed in with doses of tacky badly written melodrama.

If you, like me, expect a tight well-written gangster action drama, then steer clear of this showy violent nothing puke.

Often enough, I stumble upon movies where I only witness the movie poster and add them solely based on that without going through the movie profile. This was one of that category, I loved the poster, the poster gave me black comedy, thriller, violence vibes and to be fair I was not that far off.

I enjoyed this movie, had a nice interesting and styled on start, moved on with a fine pacing and the ending was good too, something I didn't expected. Two things out of the most that hits me the most when judging a movie is the start and the end, and this film definitely had that, which worked for me. Main character worked wonders for me, the actor portraying it and the character itself. Been a long time since I saw a loner character like this. I loved the actor, will be looking into his profile, hoping he has more thriller/crime genres under him.

Character development subject was poked in other reviews but I feel the story telling for all characters in the movie were apt, it was considerable amount for the main story to progress so I certainly don't agree with others poking on other characters development. The protagonist might not be a saint nor might be the other characters, but I can see the reasoning for everyone's actions. The movie showcases connections between the cop, rescue girl and the doctor, which I feel is sufficient for each of them to get to know the protagonist's doing and reacting to it as they all do in their own ways, from the start to the end.

I feel if someone doesn't buy the protagonist's character then their won't be any interest from the get going failing the movie from start itself. I watched this with subtitles as I am not native but I know how acting depends on the dialogue delivery as well, so from a non-native's point of view, I felt everyone did good in acting. The locations were great, didn't feel cliched or fake.

With that all, I feel the movie deserves to have rating atleast in the 7s, movies like these deserve applaud and I will most certainly do that as it deserves.

I've been a fan of Asian movies overall since I'm from the same region so I had my instinct saying to watch this as it would tickle my movie buff in me and it sure did.

The main character is a serial killer. It displays the world of crime and it is thrilling to The movie will keep you guessing from the start to the end. This movie is a story within itself. It starts out on a bang and ends on a bang too.

Acting and the cast has been brilliant on the movie. They have been hard at acting and don't let you down for a second. The soundtracks in the movie are so amazing. I love all of them especially the theme song "The New Creation" by Enno Cheng. Huge shoutout to all the people involved in the movie especially the musical department.

The only thing why i didn't rate it a perfect 10 is due to the fact that they dragged the cult religion segment more than needed. Other than that the movie is 10/10.

Oh my goodness, this was incredible. So well constructed, so well executed, so topical, and with such a tiny and pure love story at its core. Can it stand up to the Godfather and Breaking Bad? I say yes. The acting is extraordinary, the sets are gorgeous yet perfectly apt, the writing is fluid and engaging, and the cinematography is so well done. There's fairly little violence for a gangster film: it's more about character development and backstory with really clever plot twists. What a thoroughly wonderful, entertaining film. I really can't recommend this one highly enough if you're a fan of crime sagas with complexity and depth.

An award-winning performance from Ethan Juan that is deserving of all the accolades he has received for this film. The Pig, Snake and Pigeon is a thought provoking film that is daring in both its topic and film making. Three seemingly irrelevant parts glued together by one single premise, and you can see Chen's personal growth, development, hope and despair in each. The emotional value of the film predominantly comes from its very strong cast and their acting. If you dissect the story itself it is a rather simple and not so ground breaking story. Nevertheless, I am glad it made its way into Mainland China, which has become a breath of fresh air for a much needed market.

I rarely finished watching most of the Taiwanese movies due to their shallow, childish, naive screenplays, their bad acting with horrible dialogue deliveries in a complete unnatural and fake way of speaking by most of the actors and actresses. This movie, although still inevitably failed to improve the way of speaking the dialogue in Taiwanese Mandarin, at least it's bearable this time.

The cast of the No.1 and No. 2 villains when compared to the No.3, the leading actor who played the protagonist, were neither good enough nor appropriate, not even feasible or realistic. There's no way the No.2 villain, a murderous killer from Hong Kong, most of the time speaking Cantonese, could be so hard to catch. Besides, his physical strength based on his height and weight would not be able to cause so much damages to the protagonist.

The cast of the No.1 Villain is even worse than the No.2, a fragile, skinny con man, who could hide himself on the island and become the preacher and the cult leader. His illegal organization is somewhat copied from the Scientology cult that plagued America. The way he fools and cheats on those naive followers is just too shallow.

The actor who plays the die-hard cop is a great cast. He is also the second worthwhile element that has made this movie feel more humane and realistic.

The watchable value of this movie is completely relied on the leading actor, who indeed performed so believably well. The herb medicine woman cast is not bad, but her Taiwanese Mandarin is still felt a bit forced and unnatural, the formulaic way of speaking by almost all the Taiwanese actors, actresses in movies or in dramas. Their weird and unnatural way of speaking is the fatal weakness of all actors, actresses and even all of those reporters, news anchormen and anchorwomen on TV.