Cast Member: Anthony Wong

Andrew Lau has a very obvious formula for making comic book adaptations and it’s one that is ultimately not very satisfying.

‘A Simple Life’ is the perfect marriage of arthouse style and heart-rending substance.

There are moments of entertainment here, but the flat denouement sums up the lack of real polish that the preceding 100 minutes had provided.

When the main story takes centre stage, the viewer’s interest is likely to be lost and the plot-holes difficult to reconcile.

The lack of urgency and often confusing nature of the plot means ‘Armageddon’ is never as engaging or exciting as it could have been.

‘Beast Cops’ is a powerfully shot and highly entertaining movie that raises some important issues regarding today’s society, which really need to be addressed.

Although the state of Hong Kong cinema is much approved now, it’s hard to forget the wretched state just a few years ago. ‘Big Bullet’ really stood out when it was released and remains a class act.

The action is still impressive, and deserves 4 stars, but the direction, annoying camera work and lack of real plot drag it down into the 3 star category.

The comedy is hit-and-miss and as it takes up the majority of the running time, it slows the pace right down after a promising start.

The varied cast which includes Tse, Ge You and CN Blue member Jung Yong-Hwa make it an appealing 90 minutes of over-the-top cook-offs, snappy comedy and melodrama.

‘Exiled’ is a riveting portrayal of a group of friends sticking by one another as their once chosen profession threatens to kill them all.

‘Fight Back To School 3’ is a sad dip in quality for the series, with Jing reducing the all-important comedy routines to the lowest common denominator.