I saw this movie was I was 10 years old. I am almost 20 now and still love this movie when I re-watch it.Lang Kwan was the best evil boss I've seen in all of the series. And the way the movie show how friends stay loyal is what I love about this movie.This movie does promote some approval of triad ways, since is no cops that always interfere but later on in the series, it started to show some aspects of that.In this movie, it is mostly about a bad boss trying to take leadership of a district while trying to rid of his rival who is righteous.
... View More"Young And Dangerous" is one of those films that is known about by anyone even vaguely familiar with Hong Kong movies, and for one reason. It's excellent. The characters, the actors (Francis Ng is an excellent villain), the story, even the musical score all combine to make this one unforgettable film. Themes like loyalty, trust, and friendship in general figure heavily into the plot - which really makes for a strong narrative.As in most movies concerning the Triads, there is a lot of violence. The thing is, in "Y&D" it isn't extremely glorified, nor is it downplayed. It's just there - for you to judge on your own. Surprisingly, the violence in this film actually serves to move along the story, not just for a "wow" factor like in many other HK features.At any rate, if you're new to HK movies, or are just looking for a good gangster action/drama, then by ALL means rent (or buy) a copy of "Young And Dangerous." You'll thank me later.
... View MoreYoung And Dangerous was a big boxoffice hit in Hong Kong and is the first movie in a series that this far contains six parts plus five spin off movies, not counting the many imitations and rip offs, so it could be worth checking out. If you like it there is the whole series to watch.Y & D is an action movie (more than a gangster drama) about young triad gangsters and the importance of good friendship. It is purely entertainment, it is not an art film and has no important messages to the audience. The story is simple and we are not getting any deeper knowledge about the triads and how they function, even though the funeral and the punishment scene are interesting and well made. But simplicity does not have to be only bad, this is action and it is good that the story is not confusing. Also, the story contains the element of revenge and revenge tends to be involving.The pacing is good and Y & D never gets boring, on the contrary, it gets more and more involving. Some scenes are unnecessary though, especially those with the priest and the female car thief that seems aimed to provide some not needed comic relief. But those scenes does not ruin the movie, it would just be better without them. Otherwise the tone is serious and Francis Ng, as the villain, gives a strong performance that actually lifts the film.Y & D is superficial, but there is a lot of action, even though it is mostly the usual gang fighting. Y & D does not belong to the Heroic Bloodshed genre, there is not much gunplay and bloodsquibs. If it had been more brutal with more on screen violence it would have been a better movie. Even though it is a serious movie I would have preferred a grittier tone, but this is aimed for a younger audience. Some of the young rascals does not seem tough enough to be gangsters, but Cheng is OK as their groupleader (Ho Nam) and Chan is good as his right hand (Chicken). Simon Yam has only a small role as their highest boss. You will be entertained even if it is not the best you have seen. 7 / 10
... View Morei'd like to meet the guy who said this film is "a better tomorrow for the nineties", which is printed on the cover. it's not. it's not even half as good. which figures when you know it's based on a comic strip... there is hardly any character development here and the few action scenes there are are ruined by the director's fuzzy slow-motion, as in his other film "to live and die in the streets of tsim sha tsui". some nice performances but overall it's really a mess.
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