Review of Shanghai Grand (1996) by Joel M — 24 Jul 2009

A remake of popular TV drama called "Shanghai Tan" ("Shanghai Beach" in English, 1983) which featured Hong Kong icon Yun-Fat Chow. This one features two big names - Leslie Cheung and Andy Lau.

Both are good casting, and each of them fits well to his role. Leslie, especially, is super cool in retro-fashion with mustache. Jing Ning, who plays heroin, is a famous mainland beauty, and she shows her charm fully here with some sexy shots.

Pre-world war II Shanghai (late 30s) has something to make people want to tell stories setting there - it is not only for Chinese creators but also so many western filmmakers. The producer Hark Tsui again makes a film setting in Shanghai of this period of history following his own Shanghai Blues (1984).

Acting is pretty good, and the films has some amazing shots and set decolations, although screenplay and storytelling are not quite good. It skips the most important part of the film, which is how Leslie character and Andy character deepen their friendship and relationship to Jing Ning character.

Gunfights and spreading blood are more concerned than human drama here, and it is the weakness of Hong Kong films. Villains are too simple (childishly evil) and not attractive enough either to highten the mood of climax in the end.

The original story is full of attractive elements for a story, like revenge, friendship, love triangle, and Chinese mafia, so this could have been, gotta be better.