Reviews

I love my mom and this movie made me think of her, and that is a success for a movie if we think about it. The basic premise of a movie is to either make an audience feel a certain emotion, or think about it in certain ways, which it succeeded in doing.

Like all mothers, Estelle can be annoying and nags, but also demonstrates the unconditional love that mothers bring. For those that didn't like it, maybe there wasn't a similar connection in their life, but I found it funny and entertaining for an unpretentious movie. It's not perfect, and Stallone never ever says he loves his mother, and some of the plot is slightly over the top while others could be further squeezed for comedic effect, but overall it has aged well and is still entertaining to this day.

I wasn't going to write a review, but in seeing some of the other reviews here, I thought I should probably give it some justice seeing as I enjoyed the movie.

Firstly, this is NOT an action movie. This movie has strong political and triad commentaries, and it chronicles the life of a triad boss, more along the lines of a movie about Escobar, Al Capone etc.

Secondly, if you've never visited Taiwan before or grew up in Taiwan, I'm afraid a lot of really good bits about the movie would just fly over your head which is a real shame. For example, everyone was into foot reflexology during the 90s which was a real craze, and it is believed that the blind masseuses are especially good. Scenes at the night market, or yeshi as it is called in Taiwan, was also very iconic, as were the rampant corruption and rampant Triad infiltration into society; so many aspects of the film would create resonance to those who know Taiwan, and create a level of realism unlike other films, but wouldn't do the same for an international audience. Tony Leung's character was also bold and innovative, and his comments about converting Emerald Island, a famous prison, into a golf course for the triads fits his character perfectly, but wouldn't have the same impact to a foreigner.

In the end I would only give it a 7 though, as everything in the storyline is somewhat credible until the ending finale, which is way over the top and shatters all the carefully built up gritty realism. Over the top is the only way to describe the ending scenes, as there is no way things can happen like that, that it feels like it's switched directors or the producers got involved and wanted pyrotechnics and overrode the filming crew.

It's the only blemish to a great movie which I had enjoyed as a political piece about the corruption of Taiwan politics and the influence of their triads. Indeed, even today, Taiwan's GDP and economy is abysmal considering how hard the average citizen works and how it was once the shining star among the Asian Five Tigers.

I watched this without knowing who the director was, and so was free from any pre-conceived notions and walked away largely disappointed.

A lot of the actions and events in the movie doesn't make sense, and some of the scares and deaths just can't happen in that environment. For example, many of the deaths are from zombies seemingly showing up from nowhere or dead spots and biting on veterans. In a post-apocalyptic world, I can almost guarantee that any scavenger groups that still survive will have honed an amazing instinct. Yet one guy who is on lookout has HEADPHONES on, with a stupid skateboard, and he shoots clips of bullets at the shadow of a zombie, only to die to another one when he peeps out of the door he destroyed. That really insults the intelligence of the viewer. Or Cholo getting bitten by an unexpected zombie. It requires a huge suspension of belief. Or that when there's explosions and clear signs of a zombie invasion into the city, residents in the tower are still shopping and sipping tea, allowing the zombies to bite into them as soon as they break the front glass door. What sort of alternate dumb universe would that make sense? Or that there are no barriers around the river fronts or barbed wires or some sort of deterrent? I could go on and on, but this movie seriously insults the intelligence of the viewers.

Zombie movies are great when they show us certain glimpses of human nature in the face of disaster, and masterpieces when it is told in a way that makes logical sense (within the realm of zombies), with no plot armor or holes in the logic just to move things along. Sadly this movie is neither. I didn't feel entertained either as some of the gore isn't anatomically correct either and borders on the ridiculous. You don't really feel for the male lead who is like a flacid can of coke, who is sort of lawful good, but with zero personality or drive.

This is a big insult on our intelligence to watch.

3 out of 10 on IMDb sounds about right for this incoherent film which a)neither makes sense b)nor is it funny. Wu Jing might be a talented action star, but he sucks as the monk compared to the original, and the story line just doesn't make sense. The Goddess of Mercy and the Jade Emperor are also terrible.

For such a star studded cast, how can the movie be this bad?? Was the entire film crewed abducted by triads and forced to shoot this? Did a first year film student shoot this and used Jeffrey Lau's name instead? Either way, its a terrible, terrible film and should be avoided. I want 1.5hr of my life back!

This is a great classic! One of the best of that era that combined really funny slap sticks with truly scary moments as well.

And I do mean scary. In fact, some of the scenes in this movie are more scary than some of the so-called "pure horror" movies that are intentionally made only to scare. The plot is also pretty plausible, with the action fast, and intense. The horror is nicely balanced with comedy that will leave you laughing in stitches that makes the whole movie that much easier to stomach.

Kudos to Jacky Cheung too for his terrific performance and rubbery face! I would rate this a 10 out of 10 for the nostalgia! Must see for Hong Kong movie fans.

Out of all the movies by Yuen Wo Ping, this is probably his best work. The movie goes beyond the normal routine of private feuds and senseless fights to reflect on the strong nationalistic pride before the Japanese occupation of World War 2 and the pride of a pugilist.

It also tells us how even someone who is weak and bullied can one day rise and become someone great if the spirit is willing. This is a very complex movie with many themes and invokes great respect for the main martial artists in the movie, not because they are great fighters -- but because they have great spirit behind their martial arts. A movie of inspiration, and of great nationalistic pride. This is a movie I continually watched to remind me of how even the weak can someday rise beyond that. One of my favourite movies even up to today, it has themes that will resonate throughout the ages. A+

I have no idea how the first reviewer can think that this is the most scary movie ever??? The plot sucks and has more holes than a moth-eaten sock. The ghost doesn't follow normal rules of engagement and the film just substitutes gore for true well written horror. Imagine monks being killed by a newly deceased spirit and people being possessed and killing themselves. Monks specialized in exorcising just die by strangulation! That is ridiculous. Guys, don't watch this one. Its not worth the time at all!

Spend ur time elsewhere instead. i recommend watching The Haunted Cop Shop or Office yao guai instead if you want something that at least has some logic and provides a good time.

Although the martial arts choreography isn't as snazzy as it is in modern martials arts film, the movie has a few interesting twists to it.

I was mildly surprised at the end and which was rather novel and refreshing. My only grouse is that the love interest isn't developed more. I would have loved to see a more concrete expression of development, but the portrayal in this film is probably more accurate of the period in which women were not expected to express feelings of love.

If you're a wuxia fan, you will probably add this to your collection as a comparison to modern wuxia. There are enough suspense in it to make it interesting too. Worth a watch.

This is definitely the best out of all the Young and Dangerous Series. The loyalty and comraderie within the triad is well played out and the scene where San Gai is scolded is especially powerful. The way Ekin Cheng just downed all those beers and walked aimlessly down the street is a damn near perfect mimic of what a real gu wa zai would do in such a situation. The ending was great and uplifting, short of giving it away. Definitely the best in the series.

I'm guessing that this movie got a low rating from the conservatives who don't like to see the proliferation of the idealization of gangs but I ask that you judge the film on its own merit. This is a must-see if you want to take a look at the gritty life of a Hong Kong triad society member, glorified of course. Enjoy.