Rating: NR
Genre:
Crime
Release Date: 01/23/2001
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: Cantonese/Mandarin
Sound: 1
Run Time: 90 min
Distributor/Studio: Tai Seng
Prolific Hong Kong filmmaker
Lau Kar-wing directed this gangster-themed
crime-drama about the internecine struggles within a powerful triad family.
Lung Ying (
Ko Chun Hsiung) is the patriarch of the clan, and -- in a setup used in many such films since
The Godfather -- is attempting to slowly move the family away from criminal enterprises and into legitimate business, although his sons and employees make it nearly impossible.
Allan (
Alan Tam) is a ruthless killer who later has to seek refuge in Taiwan.
Kar-wai (
Miu Kiu-wai) is the fiery tempered
Sonny Corleone character,
Hua (
Andy Lau) is the calm, rational one, and
Chung (
Max Mok) is the dedicated student whose learning is unable to prepare him for what is to occur.
Yip (
Kenneth Tong) is the most dangerous to
Lung Ying's plans, as he is a compulsive gambler whose addiction to the activity will lead the family to irreparable harm. Eventually, two thugs from another family,
Ko (
William Ho) and
Keung (
Norman Tsui), have
Lung Ying killed and ambush the Lung family at his funeral. That's when
Allan,
Chung, and
Hua get together to bring down
Keung, who followed his deadly strike on the Lungs by murdering his own employer,
Ho E (
Ku Feng), and taking control of his organization. This leads to the inevitable bloody shootouts, reprisals, and dire consequences for many of those involved. The film is bolstered by a supporting cast familiar to any Hong Kong film buff, including
Kent Cheng,
Shing Fui-on,
Phillip Ko, and
Kara Hui.
~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
