1000 too many undercover cops…Eric Tsang is fast becoming the next Danny Lee, but just a direct switch of the same role. The later is probably the most well-known cop in the HK cinema history as Lee Sir. So much so, that some jokes that Lee Sir probably thinks he is a cop in real life. Such is the case for Eric Tsang, who after the success of Infernal Affairs has appeared in endless films as the triad boss. Sooner or later, he too will think he is a real triad when he goes down the street, then discovering he is a head too short to be recognised. Still, when thinking about Eric Tsang, one can not help but come up with the image of the moment he pushed all the food of the police desk. It was a moment of cinema classic and likewise a moment to remember. So why the hell is Neo going on about Eric, well you probably guessed, he is playing a triad boss once again. With Wong Jing in the production line and his usual collaborator Marco Mak as the letterhead, together they produced something interesting to watch, even if the ending is a bit too flat. Like Colour of Truth, it comes to prove that when the maniac Wong Jing is serious, he can work wonders, and when it comes to comedy, let's talk about something else. Undercover cop infiltrating the triad society sounds a lot like a little movie called Infernal Affairs. Luckily or unfortunately, Wong Jing attempts to be somewhat original within a load of clichés, by emphasising on not one undercover, but 1000. Yes, you heard me right, 1000 freaken undercover cops. How the hell did the police force manage to force that many young aspiring cops to become Tony Leung Chiu Wai-s are really beyond our imagination? Perhaps, the only reason is that they all aspire to be as cool as Chiu Wai. Actually, I should really care less about how this idea came about and rather concentrate on the quality of the movie.The movie started off extremely promising, and the idea of 1000 undercover is absolutely intriguing to watch. However, my initial fears was coming to life as the movie drag on and on, the focus becomes not on any one of the 1000 undercover, but rather Eric Tsang. Sure, Eric is an interesting face, and probably can make most people laugh when picturing him as a triad boss in real life. Nonetheless, he is really a great supporting actor, and when thrust upon the leading role, this is where the most went down the wrong hill. Luckily he is ably and terrifically supported by someone with the name of Francis Ng.Ng scene stealing cameo in Herman Yau's On the Edge was memorably breathtaking, and here he plays a similar role, if only a little more comical. As usual Ng's overacting is immensely fun to watch, including a hilarious scene when Ng and Jordan Chan gather a bunch of wanna-be gangster. With that being said, Jordan Chan is the weak link of the trio, and despite a somewhat funny performance, which include the funny scene of his girlfriend's ring tone – is the chick in a sexy voice – "lo gung lo gung, continue la". Chan isn't choosing the right roles, a more than capable dramatic actor, deserve far better than this nonsense role.One thing that Infernal Affairs lacked is any sort of romance. Here, Wong Jing shows a typical modern-day romance in a cynical yet true way. As Neo love to proclaim in a WKW manner, love is all about timing, its no good meeting the right person at the right place, but at the wrong time. In other words, it's no good meeting someone too early or too late. Sure, it sounds very pessimistic, but from time to time, there are exceptions. It was by pure chance that Eric met Sonja Kwok. From there they started a relationship that seems more realistic to a couple of young adults. Still, despite the obvious age difference, the chemistry is still there. The romance is random, yet there is this feeling within the audience, which almost reminds them of their own past and the manner of how most of their relationships started. Then all of a sudden you realise that Eric is not 30, 40, but 50. Then again, this is a Wong Jing's flick.All in all, this is really a flick that shows more about the triad bosses trying to offset each other, rather than a flick that stresses upon the glorified genre – undercover. It is shocking to realise that director Mak didn't follow in what Neo acclaimed it as – "an original idea from a well worn cliché." The lack of development of any real characters and some unnecessary overacting, are really the downside of Wu Ho. Sometimes, you wonder, when will HK make a great movie again, and in a scale of probability, it is already pretty low, let alone a movie by Wong Jing. Seriously, maybe I was expecting too much, but it can't be my entire fault, when the main attraction of the film is the 1000 undercover cops. To be honest, this isn't exactly as bad as I am sounding, as once again, it is still slightly above being wholly average. This isn't necessary a bad thing, as most Wong Jing movies are a par below average, but still, I expected more. Call me a realist, or whatever, no matter what this flick is still a missed opportunity…I rate it 7/10.www.thehkneo.com

I am not ashamed to be a fan of Infernal Affairs, and consider it superior to the American remake. This film is just another version, but it does have some charm of its own.The basic premise is the same. The cops are infusing 1000 police into the Triad to break them up. After one is found, they must rush to get arrests done before any more are found.Both Andy Lau (Inspector Lau Ming) and Tony Leung's (Yan) names were mentioned in this movie. I thought that to be funny.The movie includes Shawn Yue as "Killer." Yue played young Yan in the Infernal Affairs trilogy. In addition, Eric Tsang is back. he played Hon Sam in the trilogy, and is a Triad under-boss here. He is the best part of the movie.The movie itself has some very funny moments and doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. There are only two or three killings - they are done with a machete.Jim (Tsang) is a boss that seems to be so good that he could easily be your uncle. Of course, he does order people killed. The most interesting, and non-Triad film part, is when he falls in love. I'm sorry, I just cannot image Tony Soprano or Don Corleone falling in love, but Jim does. I am talking about love, too, not even a kiss, and he is head over heels. The object of his affection is Sonija Kwok; someone I am definitely going to look out for as she was darling. The fact that she was Miss Hong Kong of 1999 doesn't play into it. Remember, there wasn't even a kiss between. This was pure romance, and it was touching to see him IMing love notes to her just before he ...(a great scene).They certainly set this up for a sequel as the mole (Francis Ng) is blackmailed into continuing when Superintendent Mok (Yuan Nie) takes over after Superintendent Wai (Kiu Wai Miu) has a crisis of conscience.An enjoyable film.

This film has a strong ensemble cast including silver screen veterans like Eric Tsang and Francis Ng. The premise of the movie is that HK police sent hundreds of undercover cops to infiltrate the various gangs in HK. However, that plot element is relegated to a very minor role as the film is more about focusing on the lives and internal struggles of the gang leaders as they cope with internal conflict among gang factions and the gang's survival is threatened. There are funny moments in this film and a few moving scenes as well, but there's no consistent pacing and the plot never had coherent progression. If the film makers were going for realism, they ruined it with a ridiculous and lame romance subplot involving a gang leader and a beautiful young woman who apparently loves to chat up weird looking middle aged men wandering alone late at night. (And no, the character is not a hooker) That subplot does lead to a hilariously unrealistic death scene so perhaps there is a small payoff.

I saw this film last week at a cinema in Guangzhou, and although I enjoyed it, I was wondering how to classify it. It has a lot of humour in it, but it is certainly more a film about organised crime than a comedy. I won't spoil any plot details by giving character names, but one death in the film is particularly sad, and the scene is rather well done. Also a rather amusing scene involving a minor car accident had the audience laughing too, and I must admit it made me laugh! This is an interesting film, but I think it will be difficult to find a print of this film that has English subtitles for a while yet. Still, check it out if you can!