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MONGA (Taiwan)

 ABOUT THE MOVIE

Genre: Drama
Starring:
Ethan Juan, Mark Chao, Ma Ju-Lung, Rhydian Vaughan
Director:
Doze Niu
Rating: M18 (Some Violence and Coarse Language)
Year Made: 2010

 

 


 SPECIAL FEATURES

- Singapore Star Tour
- Making of & Interview
- Trailer
- TV Spots




 

 


 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Languages: Mandarin & Taiwanese
Subtitles: English/Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/DTS Surround
Running Time: 2 hrs 21 mins
Region Code: 3
Distributor: Simply Fun

 

 

SYNOPSIS: 

Mosquito, Monk, Dragon, White Monkey and A-Po, five teenagers joined "Prince Gang", simply because Mosquito's lunch was snatched on his first day transferred to the high school in Monga and they are all tired of being bullied.

As the young men enjoy their newfound status as gangsters in Monga, they have no idea that other gangs have also set their eyes on this prosperous area. Under the guidance of a veteran gangster, the youngsters are taught the heritage created by the founders of the borough of Monga. He has no idea however of a storm brewing...

MOVIE REVIEW:

It’s probably a guy thing, to feel all energized and hyped up whenever a group of testosterone filled macho dudes get together for some male bonding. On a good day, this would involve blowing wolf whistles at pretty girls, while a more violent day would involve gang fights that results in bruised egos and bloodbaths. No? This isn’t a correct depiction of gangster’s life? It’d probably be impossible to feel what it’s like to be a gangster in our safe and protected country of Singapore, so we have to turn to movies like this to get and idea of what it’s like to experience the hot bloodedness of a gung ho gangster.

The year is 1986. The handsome Mark Chao plays a lonely teenager who has just moved to Taiwan's Monga district. When he shows some local gangsters that he is not one to be pushed around with, he becomes part of a five member gang, and this newfound friendship results in getting into fights around the streets, and not forgetting the usual themes of loyalty, betrayal, hunger for power and a small dose of romantic relationship with a prostitute.

There is really nothing much we haven’t seen before in this lavish production. The gang is made up of stereotypes – the showy gang leader, the competent fighter, the goony comic relief and the silently strong pillar hiding a secret. But we are not complaining, because the grittiness of these characters are well illustrated in this Doze Niu directed commercial flick, which is authentic in production values and more importantly, storytelling.

You emphatise with the characters in the movie as they each have an objective which causes tension and conflict with the others. You feel the anguish and pain as they lose their innocence and loved ones in the rowdiness of things. And although it is indulgently long at 141 minutes, you sit through the drama as it becomes gradually more melodramatic along the way.

The feelings and emotions of the characters are raw and unabashed, complemented by an aggressively spirited soundtrack score by the talented Sandee Chan. The well choreographed fight scenes are lyrically beautiful, with capable cinematography by Jake Pollock. The cast delivers engaging performances too. Chao is joined by the equally handsome Ethan Juan, as the two bring bring surprisingly fine performances in their big screen starring roles. The brooding Rhydian Vaughan plays the steadfast gang leader, while the ever dependable Ma Ju Lung and Niu himself turn in first rate acting when placed beside their younger co stars.

Guys would wish they could be part of this brouhaha of violent gang fights and power struggle. Girls would swoon over the very handsome Chao and Juan as they gratuitously show quite a bit of their hot bods. For the rest of us who will not be living a life of a gangster anytime soon, we can only watch on and imagine what it’s like to throng the streets wielding choppers and fighting for brotherhood.

SPECIAL FEATURES :

This Code 3 DVD Two Disc Special Edition DVD is loaded with extras with a total duration of 61 minutes, of which most are mainly materials from the Singapore Star Tour some months back. Arriving at the Airport, Press Conference, Mall Event, Gala Premiere and Hall Gathering are footages shot on your consumer video cameras which chronicle Chao, Juan and director Niu’s journey from location to location in Singapore. If you were part of the star chasing group, try to spot yourself at the different locations like Bishan mall and VivoCity theatres. There is also a 23 minute Making Of which provides an insight on the production of the movie. See the bonding of the cast which is evident the sincerity of their interview responses. Rounding up the platter are the movie Trailer and two TV Spots, as well as trailers for Japanese movies like Kaiji and Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva.

AUDIO/VISUAL:

There is nothing to complain about the movie's visual transfer. It is presented in its original Mandarin and Taiwanese dialogue in either Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 audio tracks.

MOVIE RATING:




DVD RATING :

Review by John Li

Posted on 2 August 2010

 
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This review is made possible with the kind support from Simply Fun

 

 



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