Chinese Angels (So Close (DVD))

Member Name: chooflafla

Product:	So Close (DVD)
Date:	06/08/04 (409 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great film, Action packed, Eye candy

Disadvantages: Lack of DVD extras, Acting could improve in some places, Bit of a crap explanation in part of the plot

YES! With the help of ickkate, I finally managed to trawl through the DVD list for ?S? and find this damn category for posting my op up as it didn?t come up in the search.

Ickkate was also instrumental in helping me tweak this op as well, so a huge thanks to you!

Anyway...

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What do Shu Qi (?The Transporter?, ?Jackie Chan?s ?Gorgeous??), Karen Mok (?The Twin?s Effect?, ?Around The World In 80 Days? [Jackie Chan version]) and Zhao Wei (?Shaolin Soccer?, ?Warriors Of Heaven And Earth?) have in common? They all kick ass!

Otherwise known as ?Chik Yeung Tin Sai? in Hong Kong, ?So Close? has quickly become one of my favourite action movies. A loose comparison would be to ?Charlie?s Angels?, purely because both have three butt whooping women, but a lot better with a much superior plot.

The film was originally released in Hong Kong two years ago but has now seeped its way into the Western market and can be found in many mainstream stores such as Virgin Megastore and HMV.

?So Close? is a blend of two genres, namely a high-octane action, combined with any decent film by Akira Kurosawa and centres around three victims of circumstance who must overcome their differences and work together for some reason or other (watch the film to find out why). This would ordinarily not require an explanation as to why three people meet up and cooperate, however, two of them are professional killers and one is the cop assigned to their case!. Qi and Wei portray Lynn and Sue respectively and they are sisters as well as the aforementioned killers. Mok plays the determined cop who is hot on their tail, Hong Yat Hong. Intrigue
d? Read on?

Admittedly, the DVD extras leave little to the imagination, as there is only a theatrical trailer and the usual language set up and scene selection. The film can be watched in Cantonese or Mandarin and this is accompanied with English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese subtitles, however, this depends on where you get the disc as some of the ones I?ve seen only have Cantonese and some have more subtitle options. I believe Mok actually provides the vocals for both the Cantonese and Mandarin versions, as she is proficient in both (as well as English, Japanese, French and Italian!). Mok is quite the famous actress in Hong Kong, starring in about 35 films in just ten years. A prominent actress, Mok is also a renowned singer in Hong Kong and as well as having been in 35 films, has four albums under her belt as well. Not bad for someone who made some demo tapes ?for fun? when she was young and ended up this far!

The themes explored within ?So Close? are quite linear and don?t really need much surveying. Betrayal, mystery and secrets pave the way for the film, but as you get further into the film, the conspiracy and deception eventually unravel themselves and you are left with explosive action sequences throughout the film, as well as interesting gadgets and gizmos to aid our heroines along the way. If you were to juxtapose this with James Bond, you?d have a better idea about some of the gadgets I?m on about, however, unlike Bond, Lynn and Sue aren?t cheesy, nor do they have any corny lines! :o)

As far as I?m concerned, the acting within the film needs a little polishing up in some parts as some of the characters lack some oomph when needed and may seem a little stoical, however, don?t let this spoil an otherwise brilliant film. Mok plays her rol
e flawlessly both acting wise and action wise, in fact, all three leading ladies did, however, some of the supporting characters were a little bland. For instance, Michael Wai, who plays Ma Sui Ma, tends to over exaggerates his facial expressions. Also, Lynn?s boyfriend, Yen (Song Seung Hun) doesn?t even seem to even HAVE facial expressions as he is a emotional as a melon on heat. This is Wai?s first film admittedly, and everyone has to start somewhere, can anyone remember Cameron Diaz in ?The Mask?? Well, look where she is now so I guess I shouldn?t be TOO harsh; but I just can?t help it!

A clever use of choreography and sets are used to enhance the viewing pleasure in every single fight scene. All I want to say is keep your eye out for the stilettos in the initial fight sequence, you?ll see what I mean! Though there was a lot of action in the film, it didn?t take anything away from the plot at all. In fact, they complimented each and were congruent in respects to each other.

Admittedly, although I think this film is ace, there is a discrepancy I have with part of the plot. Without trying to give too much away, it involves the sister?s parents. I can?t really explain it without spoiling the film so I won?t, but if you?ve seen it, let me know what you think about this on my Tooyoo profile.

The choice of music used in the film was rather odd. The Carpenters ?Close To You? (think saccharine) was used quite a few times, and when you remind yourself you?re watching a Hong Kong action flick, this seems like a VERY odd choice in music though! On the other hand, this option creates an air of surrealism and may augment the film for some people.

Thanks to the amount of action and drama, ?So Close? has you ha
nging onto every word throughout the film. The movie provides a tense atmosphere and seduces you for the entire running time of 106 minutes. When you think to yourself you haven?t seen a fight in a while, one pops up to keep you amused long enough to reveal a little something extra.

The target audience of ?So Close? varies broadly and even if you?re not into this sort of film (like a friend of mine at uni I showed it to), so I recommend watching it at least once, or 12 times as my case may be. The ladies may like it as it empowers women, and the guy?ll like it as it?s full of action packed stunts and also stars three rather sexy ladies kicking ass. ;-) Qi, Wei and Mok can easily take on Diaz, Lui and Barrymore any day. With their eyes closed. And hands tied behind their backs, whilst standing on one leg.

Overall, ?So Close? has it all, from dazzling lead ladies, to action packed fight sequences, drama and intrigue and a fast paced adventurous plot.

RUNNING TIME

106 minutes (approx)

CERTIFICA& #84;E

UK15

SOUND

Dolby Digital

LANGUAGE(S )

Cantonese/English/Mandarin

Summary: