I waited 7 years to see Jan Kounen's "Blueberry" movie. I waited 15 years to see "Aliens vs. Predator" (from the first time I heard they were making one). And I waited 13 years to see "Story Of Ricky". "Ricky" was worth the wait.
It's easy to dismiss "Ricky" as nothing but mindless violence. Make no mistake, "Ricky" is a movie the is not embarrassed by it's excesses. Indeed, it is a movie that wallows in it's over the top extremity. But it is this unpretentious way of presenting it's story that raises it above the run of the mill martial arts exploitation flick.
"Ricky" is categorized as a Martial Arts movie, but, really, it isn't. Protagonist Ricky has the amazing power to literally destroy people when he hits them, rendering all battles very short, but very gory. But this is also the movies saving grace. This is what sets the movie apart from just another martial arts flick. "Ricky" presents you with visuals that must be seen to be believed and are quite unique. Even if they could be duplicated, people would probably be hesitant to do so due to the extremely graphic nature.
There are plenty of things to nitpick about. Ricky is repeatedly shackled and bound, though he has no problem escaping his constraints. So why do they keep bothering? Why is he even staying in the prison? It doesn't matter. That's not what this movie is about. Oh, sure you could easily do an analysis where Ricky blames himself for what happens to his girlfriend and he is in the prison to punish himself and fight the evil and injustice that saturates every inch of the prison. And it will work. But "Ricky" never tries to force that interpretation on you. If you want to see it as a pure gore fest, it is that as well.
The acting is over the top, as this movie demands. A movie that is so excessive in every aspect couldn't really make do with toned down subtle performances. It suits the outlandish characters to a tee. The scenery, while no doubt very cheap, work perfectly for the bleak and cold world of Ricky, where the characters are as cold, unfeeling and unforgiving as the concrete that surrounds them. And director Ngai Kai Lam actually manages to give this violence extravaganza a heart and a purpose when the truth about Ricky's past is revealed.
"Ricky" is a movie that is a phenomenal fun thrill ride moving at a hectic and frenetic speed, but with substance upon further look. But it's not pretentious or exploitive in it's presentation. Yes, it is extremely gory. In fact it has been called one of the two goriest movies ever made (Peter Jackson's "Braindead" being the other one), but unlike something like Takashi Miike's "Ichi The Killer" it's not depraved and sickening. It simply is. It doesn't excuse it's violence. It simply is. It's a mad, crazy mesh of over the top ideas, filled to the brim with energy and "Holy s***" moments. But the violence is never disgusting or sicking. It's too cartoony for that and the characters are not deep enough that you care for them and this feel their pain. They are simply meat for Ricky to destroy in creative ways. And the creativity and visual playfulness is exactly what this movie excels in.
Long story short: If you are in the mood for over the top, crazy, far out entertainment with some unbelievable visuals and more gore than Australian soccer match, this is the ultimate movie for you.
Highest recommendation.
It's easy to dismiss "Ricky" as nothing but mindless violence. Make no mistake, "Ricky" is a movie the is not embarrassed by it's excesses. Indeed, it is a movie that wallows in it's over the top extremity. But it is this unpretentious way of presenting it's story that raises it above the run of the mill martial arts exploitation flick.
"Ricky" is categorized as a Martial Arts movie, but, really, it isn't. Protagonist Ricky has the amazing power to literally destroy people when he hits them, rendering all battles very short, but very gory. But this is also the movies saving grace. This is what sets the movie apart from just another martial arts flick. "Ricky" presents you with visuals that must be seen to be believed and are quite unique. Even if they could be duplicated, people would probably be hesitant to do so due to the extremely graphic nature.
There are plenty of things to nitpick about. Ricky is repeatedly shackled and bound, though he has no problem escaping his constraints. So why do they keep bothering? Why is he even staying in the prison? It doesn't matter. That's not what this movie is about. Oh, sure you could easily do an analysis where Ricky blames himself for what happens to his girlfriend and he is in the prison to punish himself and fight the evil and injustice that saturates every inch of the prison. And it will work. But "Ricky" never tries to force that interpretation on you. If you want to see it as a pure gore fest, it is that as well.
The acting is over the top, as this movie demands. A movie that is so excessive in every aspect couldn't really make do with toned down subtle performances. It suits the outlandish characters to a tee. The scenery, while no doubt very cheap, work perfectly for the bleak and cold world of Ricky, where the characters are as cold, unfeeling and unforgiving as the concrete that surrounds them. And director Ngai Kai Lam actually manages to give this violence extravaganza a heart and a purpose when the truth about Ricky's past is revealed.
"Ricky" is a movie that is a phenomenal fun thrill ride moving at a hectic and frenetic speed, but with substance upon further look. But it's not pretentious or exploitive in it's presentation. Yes, it is extremely gory. In fact it has been called one of the two goriest movies ever made (Peter Jackson's "Braindead" being the other one), but unlike something like Takashi Miike's "Ichi The Killer" it's not depraved and sickening. It simply is. It doesn't excuse it's violence. It simply is. It's a mad, crazy mesh of over the top ideas, filled to the brim with energy and "Holy s***" moments. But the violence is never disgusting or sicking. It's too cartoony for that and the characters are not deep enough that you care for them and this feel their pain. They are simply meat for Ricky to destroy in creative ways. And the creativity and visual playfulness is exactly what this movie excels in.
Long story short: If you are in the mood for over the top, crazy, far out entertainment with some unbelievable visuals and more gore than Australian soccer match, this is the ultimate movie for you.
Highest recommendation.