Writer: Tammy Ang

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Watch this if you liked: "Young and Dangerous", "Gigolo of Chinese Hollywood"

The enduring "Young and Dangerous" brothers Jordan Chan and Ekin Cheng are back with the watermelon knives in "Once A Gangster". However, this movie is surprisingly funny, adapting from some of Hollywood's satirical style of producing parody films.

The usual triad films often highlight or glorify the rise and fall of a particular gang in power struggles with themselves or with the authorities. Here, Roast Pork (Jordan Chan) and Sparrow (Ekin Cheng) are not fighting their way to be the 'Dragon Head' but they are struggling to get out of the scene!

The movie is written and directed by Felix Chong who was the co-writer for the "Infernal Affairs" movies and recently, "Overheard" as well. This gangster comedy actually pokes fun at Felix's own work - "Infernal Affairs". Since "Once A Gangster" is his directorial debut, he could still be experimenting with the editing and lighting. Some of the scenes appear jumpy and jerky. For example, a scene where Kerosene (Alex Fong Chung Sun) distributes bread to his followers and lecturing them. The shots were taken from various angles, which made the visuals seem choppy. The presentation of the flashback scenes is also interesting, as the scenes are shown in the form like an old silent film, similar to the early 20th century colour films with flickering yellowish visuals.

In "Young and Dangerous", there was Gigi Lai playing the love interest but in "Once A Gangster", it is Michelle Ye who plays Nancy the hot flirtatious wife of Roast Pork. There aren't many female characters in this film, so she is the only eye candy for you males to look out for.

A scene to note is when followers of Sparrow and Roast Pork suddenly burst into a song in a very MTV way. It seems like it is becoming a trend in Hong Kong comedies to insert this element into their comedies. The same idea was in this year's CNY movie, "72 Tenants Of Prosperity" and "Here Comes Fortune". Felix decided not to fall into the typical parody genre by using silly jokes whenever possible.

This is an entertaining, slightly dark movie that can be appreciated by all Chinese movie lovers - but take note, the Mandarin-dubbed version won't pack as much punch as the Canto one.


Cinema Online, 17 May 2010