I remember watching this when I was a lot younger at a party. I remembered it has being very funny; a classic. Now that I've had a chance to see it again on DVD, it is nowhere near as funny or as good as I remember. The film starts out funny enough. The trickster (as we used to call him) fools a guy and sends him out into the middle of a mall sitting on a toilet. It is a very funny opening scene that I have remembered to this day. As the movie progesses however, things get bland and dull. SPOILER ALERT What happens is the films goes from being straight out comedy (which worked) into an attempt at drama. The trickster is sent to fool a man, but eventually starts feeling sorry for him. This drags on and on and on. What happened to the humor of the 1st scene?! Now it's less humor, more relationships. The trickster loses his cool image and turns into a goof. Then in the last scene he takes a metal box and pulls out all these random ridiculous items, such as a boxing glove on a spring. This isn't as funny and doesn't match the style of the opening. Still this is a funny movie. I just guess after all these years without watching it my expectations became too high. Those who are interested in the theme may still want to check it out.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Fight Back to School
(1991)
A funny movie
6 October 2000
Fight Back to School is a sometimes childish, but very funny movie that all ages can enjoy. Perhaps it can be compared to the Naked Gun, but less silly and more focused. The story concerns an officer named Star Chow who must go undercover as a student to recover a stolen gun. Not the brightest of people in terms of math and science, you can probably guess the type of comedy that follows. Much of the comedy looks like it belongs in a cartoon show, but it is all very well done and never seems out of place. In one scene, while taking a history exam, Star tries to cheat by using his cell phone to call his partner outside for answers. His partner calls the department and the comedy begins. The most "capable" of officers are called into a room in the department and frantically seach for the exam answers as Star's partner outside throws a banana up behind the class window to inform him that the answer is "b". This is the type of comedy that basically runs throughout the film, so if it's the kind that makes you laugh, perhaps you should give it a look. I saw this film many years ago on a small screen TV during a trip, so I had forgotten most of it. Recently I watch the DVD, and recommend it to Hong Kong movie fans looking for some comedy. There's a bit of everything, even some kung fu action.
X-Men
(2000)
Good overall
15 July 2000
Good: Follows storyline nicely. Good choice for Wolverine.
Bad: Choices for Cyclops, Magneto, and Rogue could have been better.
Hoped that there would be more action. The Sabertooth/Wolverine final battle had so much more potential. Magneto looked silly being a little old man in a helmet.
Bad: Choices for Cyclops, Magneto, and Rogue could have been better.
Hoped that there would be more action. The Sabertooth/Wolverine final battle had so much more potential. Magneto looked silly being a little old man in a helmet.
Mission: Impossible II
(2000)
Better than the first, the best action movie so far
24 May 2000
John Woo has done it again. Mission Impossible 2 not only defeats the first Cruise MI, it defeats any other action movie out as it is released in theaters. Woo's style is obvious throughout the film, from the birds to the sunglasses, to all of the action done in his style. The beginning contains little action, as Woo tells a story much less complicated than the first but enough to get you interested. The 2nd half of the film contains more action than all of the 1st MI movie combined. There are tense situations, hand to hand fights, and the usual Woo standoffs. Lots of surprises are scattered thoughout the movie and help it to it's high quality.
Different from the first two, but not a bad movie
11 April 2000
Though people have been saying how much of a disappointment this prequel is, I watched it anyways, being a fan of the first two movies. And to be fair, it wasn't a bad experience at all.
I can see how people would be frustrated going in expecting more of the same and getting an action/drama movie instead, but I was told that it was less action and more romance beforehand. So I was prepared to take it for what it is worth. Which is an above average movie overall.
The Good: Chow Yun Fat returns to his character from the first film, which is great. Imagine the movie without him. Can you? Anita Mui plays her part very well and at times you really believe that she is upset or frustrated. The storyline is decent, and done pretty well. No, there are no scenes like the finale of A Better Tomorrow 2, but come on, did you really expect that kind of scene again? The ending of A Better Tomorrow 2 is so spectacular, can you blame the prequel for not trying to top it and go elsewhere instead? The chemistry between Chow Yun Fat's Mark and Anita Mui's Kit is great, especially with Kit. The viewer really feels for her. Great job.
The not so good: Many people accuse John Woo's films of totally ignoring women. But when it comes to A Better Tomorrow, many people criticize part three for placing a woman in the mix. It's supposed to be a story of brotherhood and friendship. In a way I agree. There should be more women representation is some of John Woo's work, but with this series, many fans prefer a team of friends, guys, more specifically Ho, Mark, and Kit from the first in the series. I would rather have had part three be a true sequel picking up where the second left off [with Ho and Mark's brother Ken (also played by Fat)] and tell about there struggles and how they are getting over the events of the last movie. Then you can put Anita Mui in the storyline somewhere and have her help them out in some way.
Overall, A Better Tomorrow 3 is pretty good. Not much like the first two, but an alternative that strays from the formula and may be accpted by some, and not by others.
I can see how people would be frustrated going in expecting more of the same and getting an action/drama movie instead, but I was told that it was less action and more romance beforehand. So I was prepared to take it for what it is worth. Which is an above average movie overall.
The Good: Chow Yun Fat returns to his character from the first film, which is great. Imagine the movie without him. Can you? Anita Mui plays her part very well and at times you really believe that she is upset or frustrated. The storyline is decent, and done pretty well. No, there are no scenes like the finale of A Better Tomorrow 2, but come on, did you really expect that kind of scene again? The ending of A Better Tomorrow 2 is so spectacular, can you blame the prequel for not trying to top it and go elsewhere instead? The chemistry between Chow Yun Fat's Mark and Anita Mui's Kit is great, especially with Kit. The viewer really feels for her. Great job.
The not so good: Many people accuse John Woo's films of totally ignoring women. But when it comes to A Better Tomorrow, many people criticize part three for placing a woman in the mix. It's supposed to be a story of brotherhood and friendship. In a way I agree. There should be more women representation is some of John Woo's work, but with this series, many fans prefer a team of friends, guys, more specifically Ho, Mark, and Kit from the first in the series. I would rather have had part three be a true sequel picking up where the second left off [with Ho and Mark's brother Ken (also played by Fat)] and tell about there struggles and how they are getting over the events of the last movie. Then you can put Anita Mui in the storyline somewhere and have her help them out in some way.
Overall, A Better Tomorrow 3 is pretty good. Not much like the first two, but an alternative that strays from the formula and may be accpted by some, and not by others.
A great, yet dated classic
10 April 2000
I remember watching this as a child. Boy, I rented this title over and over again. Loved it. The storyline was amazing and the animation was superb. WAS. Recently I had the opportuinty to watch it again. Wow, what happened? The animation doesn't look good at all. The backgrounds are flat, repeat animation is used to excess, and the storyline is so random and well, not very good at all. I watched it once and didn't have the urge to watch it again. Unlike series such as the Transformers which will never get old, this movie has aged and those who watch it now after viewing it as a child will wonder how they ever were amazed at the show. Still, children today will probably enjoy it, and I recommend it to children who want to see a space chase, no, a GREAT space chase!
The Chipmunk Adventure
(1987)
One of the classics
10 April 2000
Another underrated film, which has joined the likes of Transformers the movie in the category of underappreciated classics.
Like Transformers the movie, A Chipmunk Adventure has a cartoon series backing it up, so fans go into the theater already knowing most of the characters. However, the film stands on it's own and does not rely on any of the cartoon episodes at all. The story centers around a race around the world between the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. Simple enough. I am glad to see an animated film that isn't another prince and princess, fall in love rehash.
Throughout the show are many memorable moments as well as a variety of songs that anyone could sing along to. I remember as a child loving the "Boys/Girls of Rock n' Roll" song, singing it over and over. I am sure many kids of today would do the same if they have the chance to see this film. There is no sex, minimal violence, and lots of fun.
Like Transformers the movie, A Chipmunk Adventure has a cartoon series backing it up, so fans go into the theater already knowing most of the characters. However, the film stands on it's own and does not rely on any of the cartoon episodes at all. The story centers around a race around the world between the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. Simple enough. I am glad to see an animated film that isn't another prince and princess, fall in love rehash.
Throughout the show are many memorable moments as well as a variety of songs that anyone could sing along to. I remember as a child loving the "Boys/Girls of Rock n' Roll" song, singing it over and over. I am sure many kids of today would do the same if they have the chance to see this film. There is no sex, minimal violence, and lots of fun.
A Better Tomorrow
(1986)
A great movie with a storyline to remember
10 April 2000
After viewing many Hong Kong movies as a child, I lost touch with this medium and for a long period did not even bother to think of it. A Better Tomorrow on DVD brought me back. While visiting a DVD shop I stumbled across an old Chow Yun Fat movie (I forgot the title), and asked whether it was worth a purchase. The salesperson told me I would be happier with another Fat movie and handed me "A Better Tomorrow" DVD from Media Asia (original soundtrack). Well, why not? So I bought the disc and went home. Wow. Halfway though the movie, all I could think about was whether the store had the sequels in stock or not. This movie is awesome. No, it's not the action type of film you may expect when hearing the name "John Woo". It's no Con Air or Hard Boiled in terms of nonstop explosions and fighting. There isn't even as much action as is in "Broken Arrow". When the movie starts and for a good portion of the movie it's all talk. But it's not boring. You are drawn in by the themes of brotherhood and betrayal. Who are the bad guys? The overall premise is about two brothers, Ho and Kit, one of which is a criminal and the other a cop. Can they coexist? Will there be forgiveness? Chow Yun Fat gives a stunning performance as Ho's friend Mark. I recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of John Woo. Go and see how it all began.
The Transformers: The Movie
(1986)
The greatest animation film OF ALL TIME
10 April 2000
This is without a doubt, my favorite animated film EVER. EVER. There simply is no competition or anything that even comes remotely close. I have been a fan of the television series since childhood and this movie was absolutely incredible when I first saw it, and incredible every time it's played. I own three copies of it; the original video release, the uncensored version, and the new release recently made. Everything about this movie is good. I am normally a casual television/movie watcher, but this is the movie that I cannot get enough of. Online, you can find hundreds of people like myself who can easily recite the movie's lines from beginning to end and explain all the scenes in order. It's not very hard to do; watch the movie 2 times one can probably recite most of the show, because it's THAT good. What about these classic lines:
"First we crack the shell, then we crack the nuts inside!" "I now possess that which you most fear! You will do my bidding, or taste my wrath!" "Spare me this mockery of justice!" "No way, two can play!"
The person who wrote the dialogue in the movie is a genious, and with a cartoon show backing this movie up with unforgettable characters, it is unstoppable. People criticized this movie back in the mid-80s for having a hard rock soundtrack and being too violent. SO? Look at today, and how popular anime is. Everyone wants to watch shows with lasers firing and heavy tunes! Was Transformers ahead of it's time? IT STILL IS, because it is underappreaciated and nothing has yet to even come close. Look at the opening sequence with Unicron. Hand drawn!
"First we crack the shell, then we crack the nuts inside!" "I now possess that which you most fear! You will do my bidding, or taste my wrath!" "Spare me this mockery of justice!" "No way, two can play!"
The person who wrote the dialogue in the movie is a genious, and with a cartoon show backing this movie up with unforgettable characters, it is unstoppable. People criticized this movie back in the mid-80s for having a hard rock soundtrack and being too violent. SO? Look at today, and how popular anime is. Everyone wants to watch shows with lasers firing and heavy tunes! Was Transformers ahead of it's time? IT STILL IS, because it is underappreaciated and nothing has yet to even come close. Look at the opening sequence with Unicron. Hand drawn!
Tell Your Friends