WAR OF THE UNDERWORLD

REVIEW:

                     More triad melodrama starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as Hong Fei, rebellious son of the Hung Hing triad boss. Despite his (or Tony Leung's) lack of stature, Hong is a master of the blade and a legendary figure amongst the triads. He saves wimpy triad Jordan Chan Siu-Chun and becomes Chans idol. When first meeting Hong, Chans sister (the increasingly appealing Carman Lee) is immediately smitten. Hong is a triad hero from the classic mold, yet he wants no part of Hung Hing. However, thanks to the scheming of the rival Tong Sheng gang (who want Hung Hing to traffic in drugs), Hong is called into leadership after the Tong Shengs try to off his pop.
                     War of the Underworld is basically a darker Young and Dangerous that doesnt really glorify triad life, though it does jazz it up with hard rock tunes and overly cool characters. The whole thing is a little too glossy and commercial to be considered an indictment of its subject matter.
                     Tony Leung Chiu-Wai is reasonably solid as Hong Fei, but he pulled off this sort of coolness more effortlessly in Chungking Express and Dr. Mack. At times he seems distant, and the film doesnt do much to compensate. Chan is less likable than usual, and Lee doesnt really do all that much. Making things stranger are bad guy Ngai Sing, who apparently studied Ricardo Montablans performance in Star Trek II, and more Dutch angles than you can shake a stick at. This is not a special film, but its a decent watch. To be honest, Im really getting tired of triad movies. [REVIEWED BY KOZO 1996]