SYNOPSIS:
Mosquito, Monk, Dragon, White Monkey and A-Po, five teenagers joined "Prince Gang", simply because Mosquito's lunch was snatched on his first day transferred to the high school in Monga and they are all tired of being bullied.
As the young men enjoy their newfound status as gangsters in Monga, they have no idea that other gangs have also set their eyes on this prosperous area. Under the guidance of a veteran gangster, the youngsters are taught the heritage created by the founders of the borough of Monga. He has no idea however of a storm brewing...
MOVIE REVIEW:
It’s probably a guy thing, to feel
all energized and hyped up whenever a group of testosterone
filled macho dudes get together for some male bonding. On
a good day, this would involve blowing wolf whistles at pretty
girls, while a more violent day would involve gang fights
that results in bruised egos and bloodbaths. No? This isn’t
a correct depiction of gangster’s life? It’d probably
be impossible to feel what it’s like to be a gangster
in our safe and protected country of Singapore, so we have
to turn to movies like this to get and idea of what it’s
like to experience the hot bloodedness of a gung ho gangster.
The year is 1986. The handsome Mark Chao
plays a lonely teenager who has just moved to Taiwan's Monga
district. When he shows some local gangsters that he is not
one to be pushed around with, he becomes part of a five member
gang, and this newfound friendship results in getting into
fights around the streets, and not forgetting the usual themes
of loyalty, betrayal, hunger for power and a small dose of
romantic relationship with a prostitute.
There is really nothing much we haven’t
seen before in this lavish production. The gang is made up
of stereotypes – the showy gang leader, the competent
fighter, the goony comic relief and the silently strong pillar
hiding a secret. But we are not complaining, because the grittiness
of these characters are well illustrated in this Doze Niu
directed commercial flick, which is authentic in production
values and more importantly, storytelling.
You emphatise with the characters in the
movie as they each have an objective which causes tension
and conflict with the others. You feel the anguish and pain
as they lose their innocence and loved ones in the rowdiness
of things. And although it is indulgently long at 141 minutes,
you sit through the drama as it becomes gradually more melodramatic
along the way.
The feelings and emotions of the characters
are raw and unabashed, complemented by an aggressively spirited
soundtrack score by the talented Sandee Chan. The well choreographed
fight scenes are lyrically beautiful, with capable cinematography
by Jake Pollock. The cast delivers engaging performances too.
Chao is joined by the equally handsome Ethan Juan, as the
two bring bring surprisingly fine performances in their big
screen starring roles. The brooding Rhydian Vaughan plays
the steadfast gang leader, while the ever dependable Ma Ju
Lung and Niu himself turn in first rate acting when placed
beside their younger co stars.
Guys
would wish they could be part of this brouhaha of violent
gang fights and power struggle. Girls would swoon over the
very handsome Chao and Juan as they gratuitously show quite
a bit of their hot bods. For the rest of us who will not be
living a life of a gangster anytime soon, we can only watch
on and imagine what it’s like to throng the streets
wielding choppers and fighting for brotherhood.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This
Code 3 DVD Two Disc Special Edition DVD is loaded with extras
with a total duration of 61 minutes, of which most are mainly
materials from the Singapore Star Tour some months back. Arriving
at the Airport, Press Conference, Mall Event, Gala Premiere
and Hall Gathering are footages
shot on your consumer video cameras which chronicle Chao,
Juan and director Niu’s journey from location to location
in Singapore. If you were part of the star chasing group,
try to spot yourself at the different locations like Bishan
mall and VivoCity theatres. There is also a 23 minute Making
Of which provides an insight on the production of
the movie. See the bonding of the cast which is evident the
sincerity of their interview responses. Rounding up the platter
are the movie Trailer and two TV
Spots, as well as trailers for Japanese movies like
Kaiji and Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
There is nothing to complain about the movie's
visual transfer. It is presented in its original Mandarin
and Taiwanese dialogue in either Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS
5.1 audio tracks.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
Posted
on 2 August 2010
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