Young and Dangerous 3
Reviewed by YTSL
Omigod! What IS it about Hong Kong moviemakers
that make them seem to exponentially increase the grimness and violence quotients
of successive installments of (what at least started off as) popular series?!
Granted that matters don't get as chaotic and overwrought in this third part
of this Triad Boyz saga as in the final segment of the "Swordsman" trilogy.
Also, neither is the change of tone as sudden and extreme than that which
greeted fans of "The Heroic Trio" in "Executioners" (since it occurred over
three rather than two films). Still, I actually wondered when watching
the first few minutes of the work -- which not only featured unfamiliar faces
but also quickly established a character played by Roy Cheung as arguably
the most heinous villain encountered thus far in the "Young and Dangerous"
series -- whether I had the right tape in my VCR. And even if it is
granted that I may tend to get more affected by what I behold in movies than
many other individuals, it surely still says quite a lot that: Close
to one full week after viewing this intriguing triad drama, certain shocking
scenes contained within it remain painfully and vividly etched in my psyche
as well as memory.
Although Ho Nam (who is portrayed by a more and more shell-shocked looking
Ekin Cheng), Chicken (Jordan Chan turns in another mature performance), Smartie
(Gigi Lai makes one really feel for what may otherwise have been a rather
pathetic character) and many other characters with which viewers of the two
previous "Y&D" productions are familiar (including those played by Jerry
Lamb, Michael Tse, Spencer Lam, Anthony Wong and Simon Yam) will be found
in YOUNG AND DANGEROUS 3, gone are the cartoony sections and inserts of the
kind which director Andrew Lau stated he had previously put in "to remind
people "it's only a film!"" (In Miles Wood's "Cine East", 1998:64-65).
In their stead, unfortunately for non-readers of Chinese characters (like
yours truly), are untranslated paragraphs of what I assume are contextualizing
texts re goings on within and involving triad society at large as well as
the Hung Hing gang; together with a definite sense that life and those things
integrally related to it are meant to be taken seriously by this movie's
viewers as well as characters (N.B. Although those behind it may have started
off the series with entertainment as its main aim, perhaps in reaction to
criticisms of their (earlier) work effectively being triad recruitment
films, I doubt that that is the only -- or even primary -- goal here).
This is not to say that YOUNG AND DANGEROUS 3 is entirely bereft of deliberately
(as well as probably inadvertently) funny bits. Much of the light relief
is provided by a very welcome fresh personality in this
surely not glorious world of "rascals" (as the English
subtitles refer to Ho Nam, Chicken and Co.): The newly returned from
England, foul-mouthed and sexually playful preacher's daughter (who is very
well portrayed by Karen Mok). Her interactions with Chicken, notably
that which takes place in what they thought was a deserted -- bar for themselves
-- religious space, contain a lot of spark as well as wit. The surprisingly
touching scenes centering on Smartie in the middle of the film ought to make
one smile as well as warm one's heart too. Certain rather surreal sections
of an Amsterdam interlude -- especially those that involve supporters of
the local soccer team -- should also amuse as well as bemuse.
Still, I cannot emphasize enough how dark -- and mean as well as menacing
even? -- is the tone of much of this gripping Andrew Lau-Manfred Wong collaborative
effort. Hopefully without spoiling things too much, the (potential)
viewer ought to be forewarned of the existence of at least three scenes in
this involving movie that some people will find disturbing; not just because
of what occurs to certain characters but also by the manner plus the length
of the time period in which it happens. Shelly Kraicer was NOT exaggerating
when he wrote in his review of this 1996 film that it contains a scene which
"explodes with a force I haven't seen in HK films in quite a while"...and
let me underscore that he undoubtedly was referring to an immense, exhausting
and negative emotional rather than just physical force.
Lest all of my words thus far strike the reader as unfavorable ones, I wish
to make it clear that I am actually majorly impressed by this well-made work.
After all, it is not like every movie -- not least one whose main character
are gangsters (and their girlfriends) – can actually cause me to react and
feel so intensely (and not entirely badly, I should add). Though the
result is not aesthetically pleasing, the devastating combination of rawness
and polish in this movie makes for a rather unique experience. For
those who have viewed the first two films in this -- thus far --compelling
series, I think it will be inducement enough to watch this one when I state
with the utmost certainty that: You still ain't seen nothing yet until
you watch YOUNG AND DANGEROUS 3. To people who have yet to view any
of this now infamous set of movies, I honestly think that this powerful episode
-- whose Chinese title is an enigmatic "Wise Guys 3: Single Hand Covers Sky"
-- can actually stand by itself, and also hold its own against many other
quality Hong Kong cinematic offerings.
My rating for this film: 8.5
DVD Information:
Distributor - Universe
The transfer is excellent - deep colors, sharp
image.
Letterbox
Trailer
Previews: Young & Dangerous V, Portland Street
Blues
8 Chapters
Subs - English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified
Chinese or none
Easy to read subs on black border, though titles
introducing scenes are not translated.
Star information on Ekin, Jordan, Simon Yam, Andrew
Lau (director), Manfred Wong (writer)