Wo Hu

Director: Marco Mak

Producer: Wong Jing, Go Fung-Jun & Ivy Kong

Plot: With the triad societies claiming they own Hong Kong after midnight, Superintendent Wai (Miu Kiu-Wai) launches operation “Crouching Tiger” where 1000 undercover officers will subsist among the triads and gather evidence from them.

Fast forward two years, with 1000 insiders amongst the triad organizations, Wai decides to focus on group know as “Humanity” (sound more like a Pop Band to me).

Although the triads aren’t stupid they know there’s insiders amongst them, with insiders among them paranoia sets in.

Jimmy (Eric Tsang), the Brains behind the society discovers an insider early on and uses his somewhat protégé (Shawn Yue) to make an example of him. Jimmy orders his troupes to seek out the remaining 999 but first he must solve the heated rivalries within in this gang.

Review: Marco Mak delivers a promising dark, undercover cop/triad thriller.

I had faith in Marco Mak given his track record; Cop on a Mission and Colour of the Truth, the later being a personal favourite of mine. With the films strong cast, fairly complicated story and gritty twists. Marco Mak hasn’t failed me!

For me the film required two viewings, just to make sure that I understood the film correctly. Because I feel pretty dim at times when watching thought provoking movie and I’m sitting wondering who the hell the lead actor reminds me of. To have a good intriguing storyline there needs to be some complexity.

Mui Kiu-Wai is really growing into an Anthony Wong type presence. The aging look, the bitter face, fashionable sunglasses and there suiting him to a tee. Eric Tsang still has a aura of evilness from Infernal Affairs, heck I think he’s even lost quite a bit of weigh, he looks rather trim in some of his scenes. As usual Francis Ng and Jordan Chan impress me; it felt like a mini “Young & Dangerous” reunion…really. Shawn Yue only plays a supporting role in the movie, only really appearing once at the start, again during the middle and once more at the end.

The movie has some inapt comedy moments; the best example is when Jordan Chan’s character Fei has been asked to bring some support to Walter’s (Francis Ng) meeting with Bastard Big Mouth. Fei is then asked by Bastard Big Mouth to bring some support to help him out as well. All together Fei’s needing 120 people but he only has 37. To help even it out Fei dresses up some old men and young women trying to pass them off as triad lackeys. It’s funny, but out of place for this film.

When you first hear the plot of the movie, you think “Oh great another undercover cop in the triads flick”, you instantly get flash backs of Infernal Affairs. Although this is only the 2nd film that comes to mind, the other being On the Edge starring Nick Cheung. So they haven’t worn out the genre yet, but it’ll get boring sooner or later. Marco took note of this and made clear references to Tony Leung and Andy Lau (both leads of Infernal Affairs) during the film.

Final thoughts, good film, warning don’t read the blurb on the back of the DVD it gives away the entire plot! Enjoy!

Rating: 7.8 out of 10.0