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FATE

 ABOUT THE MOVIE

Genre: Action
Starring: Alan Kuo, Deep Ng, Yeung Oi Kan, Po Po
Director: Yip Wai Man
Rating: M18 (Some Sexual Scenes)
Year Made: 2007

 


 SPECIAL FEATURES

- NIL

 


 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Languages: Chinese & Cantonese
Subtitles: Chinese
Aspect Ratio: -
Sound: -
Running Time: -
Region Code: VCD
Distributor: Scorpio East

 

 

SYNOPSIS: 

"Cross Street" is a place for youngsters to hide themselves away from the reality. After losing one eye in a vengeance, Fei (Alan Kuo) hides himself at "Cross Street" to reminisce his mother. Nana (Yeung Oi Kan) is looking for Fei because he is the only one who can get rid of her nightmare. King (Deep Ng) loves Nana, but Nana lost all her memories of King. PS (Po Po) will never leave Fei because only his teardrop can give her warmth. Can they find what they want in "Cross Street"?

MOVIE REVIEW:

Fate is not to be confused with the similarly titled Korean 'brotherhood' flick starring Kwon Sang Woo and Song Seung Heon.

Instead, this "Fate" is the latest Andrew Lau-produced gritty action flick that makes its way direct to home video. And like earlier movies that boast his “An Andrew Lau production” banner, it is shot on a shoestring budget, and features a cast of relatively unknown newbies from Hong Kong.

Unfolding under the guise of a fairytale, Fate tells the story of Nana who is looking for Fei to help relieve the terrible nightmares she is plagued with. Her search brings her to a place known as Cross Street, and as the other characters who guide her along the way would tell you, it is a dark and dangerous place that you cannot leave once you enter.

But for director Yip Wai Man, probably best known for Portland Street Blues, Cross Street becomes an allegory for disillusioned youths who seek refuge from reality and are henceforth forever trapped in their world of escapism. Mind you, this is not a pleasant place- Fei finds himself there after losing his eye in a heated attempt to avenge his mother after she is arrested trying to smuggle drugs for a triad kingpin.

It is an interesting premise, and at the hands of a better scriptwriter and director, potential sharp social commentary at youths who have become victims of many of society’s ills. But alas, Fate gets muddled up in a love triangle between Fei, Nana and another girl, PS. Were the characters less one-dimensional, this love triangle would probably by more engaging. As it is, however, it is mundane, and the relatively novice actors do little to help.

Worse still, Fate is severely lacking in the technical department. The CGI used in conveying a grim Cross Street-scape looks like a poorer copy of the Pang brothers movie Recycle, and is immediately discernable by its amateurish quality. Director Yip also chooses to use jerky handheld shots with even cheaper CGI for many of Fate’s action scenes, which is plain annoying.

So here’s a warning to those whose curiosity is piqued by Andrew Lau’s name on the cover: Fate is not a good movie. It frustrates with its wasted potential, and infuriates with its bad production values. Yes, it’s that kind of movie that after watching it, you just want your one and half hours of time back.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Gabriel Chong

 
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This review is made possible with the kind support from Scorpio East

 



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