Maybe I have a subconscious desire for revenge as I typically like that genre. This is a tale of revenge on the death of a tycoon's daughter.His bodyguard (Richie Ren) is tasked with finding those responsible and taking care of business. He reports back on his boss' iPhone.I've seen Ren in Exiled (Fong juk). and he is very good. This may be his best.Revenge doesn't replace the fact that you need to be close to your loved ones now. That realization is central to the film and revenge was not sweet, but a painful reminder of the father's failure.Really good film.

It is impossible not to be disappointed at the latest Milky Way Film produced by Johnnie To. The film probably plays like any other To's films, but without the usual stylish flair that elevates his films to fan-boy's status. Director Law Wing-Cheong is clearly no Johnnie To and his inability to take an average and predictable story and turn it into a stylistic art means mediocrity is all he will achieve. It is unfortunately with the likes of Anthony Wong and Richie Ren being involved and giving a good account of themselves in the process as well. The film also suffers from the lack of a wonderful soundtrack that is so utterly important in Milky Way films. All in all, Punished fails as a Milky Way production and lacks of all the usual Johnnie To's stylistic trademark that make his films so much better. Average and predictable at best… Neo rates it 6/10.www.thehkneo.com

Well, this was a surprise.Not that I didn't expect a good movie produced by Johnnie. But there was no real buzz. Or the action not as film full of bullets. It is more cerebral with idealistic ending instead. So in a sense you see the 'hand of god' approach - the ending has emotions - and you see it coming but it's not physically high impact but just as satisfying for me.Unlike other over the top this one has a calm (not the emotion) plot throughout. Some things are better left unexplained. This is mostly the case here. Even when it does, it didn't feel didactic like Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey.And I like the editing - there is some thought to this shuffle. And background music is standout - maybe just a bit over. There is a mystery aspect but this one is obvious a study of karma or personality -what have you.Hope they don't ruin it with part 2.

After the usual dose of mindless and brutal crime thrillers that has been the staple of Hong Kong fare, this one comes as a refreshing change. Directed by Law Wing-cheong, it has the trademarks of a sleek Johnny To production - and with 'film noir' tone. One thing I can say is that I have never seen Richie Jen performed better than this role."Punished" opens at the end of a botched kidnap in Hong Kong - with ruthless property developer Wong Ho-Chiu (Anthony Wong) crying over the body of her daughter Daisy (Janice Man) at a make-shift grave. Wong blames himself as much as he does the kidnappers for the girl's death. His relationship with his drug-addict daughter had not been good lately and he had suspected Daisy of planning her own abduction to get her hands on his cash.And as he has promised the kidnappers that he would do anything in his power to wreak revenge if anything happened to his daughter, Wong sets his bodyguard Chor (Richie Jen) to investigate the case and punish the culprits. Yes, he derives great satisfaction in watching the former gangster Chor carry out his personal brand of 'justice' (which is sent to him on his i-phone) but then there is the question of his own punishment and salvation.As the ruthless businessman and tyrannical father, Wong walks a thin line between protagonist and villain. And with his years of experience in such roles, Anthony Wong manages to play the tyrant and get our sympathy too. For me the surprise here is Richie Jen who imbues Chor with the sense of unfailing loyalty and calm menace requisite of his role as the punisher. Janice Man is nicely high-strung as the spoilt brat daughter while Maggie Cheung Ho-yee is impressive as the loving wife and tolerant stepmother.I had expected a few wild twists in the movie but the fact that the screen-writers resisted the temptation to hype up the plot is a credit to them. There are some minor flaws in the plot but on the whole, it is an engaging study of an individual's brand of crime and punishment. Also, I like the subplot involving Chor's young son from his estranged marriage. It presents a positive side to the movie's other themes about tyrannical upbringing and neglecting one's children. (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)