Once A Gangster (2010): The Triads Get A Mortgage!

You know, when you seen a gazillion triad movies, it’s hard to bring something new. Ok, not quite that many, but I’ve been privy to the teenage triad movie, the betrayal triad movie, the female triad movie, the triad comedy, the triad tragedy, the triad drama.  So when I heard that finally the triad parody was on tap, I was ready.

Now, I realize that one movie cannot spoof every triad film known to man.  But I have to say, it was a certain stroke of genius to cast Ekin Cheng and Jordan Chan in Once A Gangster.  Who didn’t love them in the sprawling Young and Dangerous saga? I bet if Andrew Lau made Young and Dangerous: The Grandkids, people would go see it.

What I liked about the film was that it references the big triad films, and you recognize it right away.  What REALLY warmed my heart was it referenced my favorite Andy Lau movie of ALL TIME!  (If we are Asian film siblings, you know what that is.) That was special. And while I usually tell you all the good stuff, I’m going to let you see for yourself.  Just think of how difficult it would be to be a triad member in these hard economic times. Is it still profitable to be a gangster, when you have to send your kids to school? How best can we use social networking for criminal enterprises? These and many more questions are answered. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more spoofing of more films!