Cast:
Louis Koo
Nick Cheung
Athena Chu
Christy Chung
Lai Tai
Ben Lam
Yasuaki Kurata
Joe Cheng
Leung Ka Yan
Wong Tin Lam
Zuki Lee
Summary:
Nick Cheung is just a typical triad guy who hangs around bowling alleys and clubs with girlfriend, Christy Chung. Louis Koo is his idol who heard many stories of but yet to meet. On his trip to Japan with his girlfriend, they happen to come across a Chinese restaurant who owner is no one else but Louis. Since their first meeting, Nick is confirm that Louis is the legendary conman that he admires. Nick found out that Louis comes every morning to take a sneak peek from afar of Athena. From Louis, Nick realizes that the reason Louis disappear from the gambling world is much due the lost of his girlfriend, who is now in vegetative state. Apparently, Louis’ best friend is jealous of Louis’ success and was plotting to destroy Louis. He married to Athena to make Louis’ life miserable.
With much persuasion from Nick, Louis decides to kidnap Athena back to Hong Kong and come back to the gambling world. Fortunate enough, Athena woke up from her vegetative stuff and Louis is more happy than ever. Nick begs Louis to teach him all his skills which Louis agrees. In come the Japanese guy who is eager to challenge Louis in a poker match. Louis best friend kidnaps Athena and Louis has no choice but to comply which him – that is have a dual with the Japanese guy. However, it turns out to be a trap by his best friend to lure them together to kill them off.
When Louis rescues Athena, she without any hesitation stabs him. But Louis has predicted that she is going to do that because he knew that that is not the real Athena – she is Athena’s twin sister. He has his doubt since the first day she woke up so he sends Christy to Japan to find out and tis its true. Louis’ best friend kills the twin sister and plan to escape with a helicopter. Louis caught up to him and while they were fighting and they were caught up in the helicopter engine. Nick came to Louis rescue while the best friend died blowing up to pieces. Louis decided to go away with Athena to live quietly while Nick continues his usual ways.
Comments:
This is a typical formulaic movie dealing with gambling. I have seen numerous other movies of the same genre dealing with similar storyline. What I like about this movie is the casting of Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, and Athena Chu. Louis Koo looks as hot as ever while Nick Cheung is excellent as a wacky sidekick. I just love his ridiculousness sometimes. I haven’t see Athena Chu in movies lately and the last time I watch her series was back in the Condor Heroes 94 with Chi Lam. She looks a lot older and it really shows on her face. This movie doesn’t require a lot of her acting so no comment on her. I don’t really see any chemistry between Athena & Louis or Louis & Nick for that matter. But I like this movie thanks majority to Louis Koo for looking so damn good.
What irritates me most is they didn’t dub the Japanese guy voice and the version that I saw have no English subtitles either so whenever he talks, I go huh. I have to listen to how other people respond to him to be able to guess what he’s saying. What I found weird is the Japanese man talks in Japanese while everyone else reply back in Chinese.
