This film reminds me of what made Last House on the Left so effective, and so unnecessary in some parts. What works well in here is the horrific disregard for human life. What doesn't work at all is the humour. In fact, the film almost didn't work for me as it seemed to concentrate too much on the bumbling cops trying to get laid and their fascination with breasts and behinds. When it gets sidetracked and goes for the humour, it is actually quite terrible. Fortunately, the film smartens up and becomes an all out gorefest and changes it's lackadaisical tone to one that becomes horrifically serious.
I too came across this film on a whim. I ordered Men Behind the Sun from Amazon.com and one of the recommendations was this film. I checked it out, and then bought it blind. It obviously has a cult status and for good reason.
I'm sure people that are reading this already know what makes it so cult like, and that is the violence and the graphic nature of the film. This is different violence that what we see here in North America. It is unapologetic, graphic, bloody and perpetual. The only complaint I have is that the camera doesn't show all that it could. If film makers like Argento and Fulci can find a way to show the violence, then so can Herman Yau. We see the blood, we see the body parts being tossed aside, but for a film that made it's reputation on its gore, it would be "nice" to see some more of it. Gallons of blood is cool, but seeing a limb severed is even better.
The crowning moment in the film is the slaughter of the family. It did remind me of Reservoir Dogs, but it is much more gruesome. And that is what makes the film so intriguing for sickos like us. You won't find anything like this in North America. As mentioned in the first line of the review, it does have that Last House on the Left feel to it. Anthony Wong is sickening brilliant in this film and he reminds me of Krug from LHOTL. He kills because he needs to. He wants to taste blood and if this is based on a true story, then he is one sick character. There are children losing their heads in the film, rape by chopstick, grinding of human meat and buckets and buckets of blood. If this sounds like your kind of film, you will not find one better.
Another interesting aspect of the film is the police brutality. You would never see such an admission of these sorts. And it is quite refreshing to see what might have gone on behind closed doors. It is treated like it is normal, like it is part of police procedure. You won't see that in a North American film either.
7/10 Only the comedy brings it down, or it would have been a 9.
I too came across this film on a whim. I ordered Men Behind the Sun from Amazon.com and one of the recommendations was this film. I checked it out, and then bought it blind. It obviously has a cult status and for good reason.
I'm sure people that are reading this already know what makes it so cult like, and that is the violence and the graphic nature of the film. This is different violence that what we see here in North America. It is unapologetic, graphic, bloody and perpetual. The only complaint I have is that the camera doesn't show all that it could. If film makers like Argento and Fulci can find a way to show the violence, then so can Herman Yau. We see the blood, we see the body parts being tossed aside, but for a film that made it's reputation on its gore, it would be "nice" to see some more of it. Gallons of blood is cool, but seeing a limb severed is even better.
The crowning moment in the film is the slaughter of the family. It did remind me of Reservoir Dogs, but it is much more gruesome. And that is what makes the film so intriguing for sickos like us. You won't find anything like this in North America. As mentioned in the first line of the review, it does have that Last House on the Left feel to it. Anthony Wong is sickening brilliant in this film and he reminds me of Krug from LHOTL. He kills because he needs to. He wants to taste blood and if this is based on a true story, then he is one sick character. There are children losing their heads in the film, rape by chopstick, grinding of human meat and buckets and buckets of blood. If this sounds like your kind of film, you will not find one better.
Another interesting aspect of the film is the police brutality. You would never see such an admission of these sorts. And it is quite refreshing to see what might have gone on behind closed doors. It is treated like it is normal, like it is part of police procedure. You won't see that in a North American film either.
7/10 Only the comedy brings it down, or it would have been a 9.