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Reviews
Black Mask 2: City of Masks (2002)
Dawn of the Superhero
I love this film. As campy as it is, it also is one of the strangest films ever made. It is definitely a work of art in its own right, as are most Hark films. They exist in their alternate dimension. And who doesn't want to see a different dimension? I always have, and this film does the job.
I thought the action was amazing. It's very strange integration of martial arts action and CGI, almost coming across as a precursor to films like Kung Fu Hustle. It does a far better job than the Hollywood superhero films of the time, because it isn't afraid of the surrealist elements that comic books have. They capture it amazingly here. The lighting is nothing that would exist in this world, and for that has to be commended (similar to the surreal world of Zu).
Overall I find this to be an amazing superhero film. It's a different deal as the first film, but just as extraordinary, in my view. Watch it if you have a more unrestricted view of film as a means for artistic expressions. Tsui's like the painter of the action genre, and his films need to be treated as such.
Shin Ultraman (2022)
Amazing VfX Spectacle; should be seen at least once
Want to start by saying I loved the original Ultraman, and this takes what that show did with practical effects and does another revolution yet again. This film is an amazing visual effects feat for Japan. Sometimes it looks like a real guy standing there in a suit; I would love to see how they got away w these vfx (the lighting is immaculate), and Hollywood could learn a thing or two about grounding effects in realism like this! For non-VFX heads, this movie isn't gonna be as impactful. I found the action sequences to be something unique and astonishing; not yet recorded in cinema before. The blend here is something to witness, and the final act includes (spoilers !!!) Zetton, who engages in an alien robotic transformation that makes Transformers blush! It's a movie that is very artistic in design, yet strange and at times goofy. An odd feat of filmmaking, but in my opinion, a major feat at that. Sad many will not get it. Kind of futuristic in this way, it does seem a bit ahead of the times.
Tenet (2020)
One of the greatest action movies ever made
Nolan creates his greatest movie yet, subverting every aspect of the action genre we know. He creates a metaphysical masterpiece about the state of human consciousness. This is on the same level as The Matrix and revolutionized action in the same way as that movie and Matrix: Reloaded. We are in a promising age for mind-bending action spectacle, the likes of which no one has ever seen before, and this film is proof. We see things in this movie that no other movie even comes close to matching; movements done by human-beings that are so alien to watch, it's hard to believe any of it is real. Highest praise I can give; like watching a work of art come to life.
Ritânâ (2002)
An Unknown Masterpiece
A beautiful sci-fi film that does just about everything perfectly. It's a forgotten masterpiece that deserves to be talked about in the same circles as Equilibrium, The Matrix, Transformers, etc. One of the best time-travel plots alongside Terminator 1 and 2. And this also features one of the first well-done live action robot/vehicle transformations on screen! It's one of the few films with a time travel plot that I really enjoy. It's done exceptionally well, and the action is pure style. I think Transformers low-key owes a-lot to this movie! The Vfx are almost like a proof of concept. This movie must be experienced.
Mirai Ninja: Keiun Kinin Gaiden (1988)
Sci-fi Masterpiece that is very ahead of its time - my favorite movie of the 1980s
The best Ninja film ever made (next to Ninja Scroll), the creativity and action here is as good as movies get. The middle action scene where out heroes fight mechanical ninjas inside of a strange rock compound evokes (somehow) the first levels of Halo: Combat Evolved, with a song playing that sounds remarkably similar to Martin O'Donnell's track "Perilous Journey". And the first sequence not only features amazing tension, but the climactic score in the background echoes the main theme music to The Matrix movies. I have a hunching suspicion that more than the Halo crew and Watchowksis watched this wonder of a film. And it even beats Blade Runner for me as my favorite movie of the 80s. It's so underrated and needs a re-evaluation. The choreography and sfx are incredible. A masterpiece of sci-fi action. Shouki is one of the coolest villains ever.
Shu shan zheng zhuan (2001)
One of my favorite movies ever
One of the coolest movies ever made, bar none. As far as Wuxia / martial arts films are concerned, this one has to be seen to be believed. Some of the coolest effects and action ever put on screen. They went all out in the best way possible with the effects budget; this movie reminds me of a modern blockbuster that you'd see from Marvel, let's say, except a million times cooler and better executed in every way possible. This was choreographed by the people involved in The Matrix.... what else do you need?! It's insane stuff. Like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon meets The Matrix on alien DMT. Yep. I'll go with that for the wrap-up, and only that: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon meets The Matrix on some kind of alien DMT. Serious contender for best film ever straight up.
Ming yat zin gei (2022)
A modern visual effects masterpiece
First off, let me say how shocked I was by this movie. China has always tried its hand at CGI, with mixed results. But here we see a total spectacle on the same visual level as the latest Avatar film. The movie follows a very typical sci-fi plot line about an invading giant plant creature known as Pandora (wtf, is this the Avatar universe!?) that has come to Earth on a meteor, both simultaneously ravaging Earths cities while purifying its air. The military uses an array of highly advanced combat robots and futuristic super-soldiers to combat the threat. Let me just say, as cheesy as the plot is, I was sold from the first second. One step closer to the Halo movie, this movie is visually like the sequel to District 9 that we really needed. It's like a Blomkamp production from 2010, with the best visual effects of today, on total steroids. The action is unbelievable. And the ideas playing out on screen are all just so cool, and the execution of these concepts is done perfectly here. Literally, some of the best action scenes in a while.... even better than the new Avatar. There is a helicopter fight against a giant plant that must be seen to be believed, a multitude of aliens (they look like a cooler version of the Cockroach dude from MIB) chase our heroes through a hospital that is collapsing.... Oh, and that's not even it, then they PARKOUR OUT OF THE FALLING HOSPITAL. All while cool ass dubstep music plays mixed in w the soundtrack!? Wtf? And to top it off, an amazing highway sequence featuring one of the coolest robot battles ever put to screen. And then you have the shoot-out against the giant spider- mech at the end, which looks like it stepped out of Metal Gear Solid or Ghost In The Shell. Overall, if you love sci-fi, this movie will blow your mind. The effects are so damn good, Hollywood should just outsource and have FatHead and co. Do everything from now on. I can't believe it costs 50 million... with all the beautiful action it looks well in the 200 million range. The first movie where Hong Kong has surpassed Hollywood visuals! It's a groundbreaking film. A cause for celebration. Getting the blu-ray ASAP!