Triad
(2012/Well Go USA DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C- Film: C
The
1990s were the glory days for the Hong Kong Triads, an underground
order that has stood the test of time, stemming from an offshoot of
the Shaolin Monks that fought as a resistance to overturn the
government during the turn of the century. These gangs ruled the
Hong Kong night for decades, through controlling prostitution, drug
trades and illegal gambling.
It
was during the '90s when their lifestyle came under threat as the
Hong Kong handover to China drew near... Daniel Yee Heng Chan's
Triad (2012) is the story based on real events of a college
graduate who chose a life of crime over a future of boundless
potential to push the Triads through the tough times during the '90s
into the new millennium.
The
film isn't terrible by any stretch and features some decent
performances and production value. As expected, the film showcases a
cast of young up and coming talent as the rising gangsters, headlined
by Sun Boyz singer William Chan (Overheard) and including
Derek Tsang (The Thieves), Deep Ng (The Viral Factor)
and Michelle Wai (Lives in Flames), plus veterans Patrick Tam
(The Detective 2) and Irene Wan (Exodus).
While
Triad may be open to accusations of a lack of originality, it
succeeds in serving up the kind of action and hard-boiled fun which
fans of the genre haven't seen for some time. Director Chan does a
great job in recalling the wild heyday of the Hong Kong gang film,
and on this modest score and a decent watch if you dig these sort of
films.
The
picture and sound are fine for this DVD release - presented in
anamorphically enhanced standard definition with a 2.40:1 widescreen
aspect ratio (shot with a RED Epic HD camera) and a lossy Cantonese
Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Subtitles on the disc are in English and
Spanish.
Extras
are lacking with only a Making Of and a Trailer.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv
