War of the Under World (1996) User Reviews

It's OK...but the talents of the actors were really wasted

[thebeautifulones · 5/10 · 27 December 2005]

The film had a good theme going but the talents of the actors were really wasted. I wouldn't be harsh and rate it as 3/10 or something, because there was a good story going. But the script was just horrendous, and it was like the director crammed the story to fit into the running time. I felt, that if the show had been a bit longer, and more development was given to Tony's and Jordan's characters, it would have been better.

Carman Lee is a total babe in the film, that's true.

And TLCW's character dies in the end, so that really bothered me. He could have lived, they could have knocked more sense into him.

Solid story spoilt by sappy direction

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 11 May 2020]

WAR OF THE UNDER WORLD is one of the 'youth gang' thrillers that was doing the rounds in Hong Kong cinemas in the late 1990s. The story itself, a kind of reworking of old 'martial world' themes told via the tableau of a rival triads tale, is quite interesting, but what spoils and sours the whole experience is the direction of Category III stalwart Herman Yau. He goes way over the top with his obtuse camera angles, shooting everything jauntily and like a hyperactive kid; the end result is silly-looking and headache-inducing. Elsewhere, we get HARD-BOILED's Tony Leung playing the overaged son of a Triad legend, as played by Shaw legend Ku Feng; tragedy strikes and the pace moves fast with lots of sprawling, brawling, violent action. Watch out for another Shaw stalwart, former venom Lo Meng, as Leung's racing rival.

watchable, but dont expect too much from this

[locosam · 7/10 · 10 September 1999]

Well, its not good, but it aint bad either. This film uses kinda the same premise of young and dangerous, but it suppose to be set earlier. The thing is, that it isnt really a prequel cause things just dont, and cannot flow on to young and dangerous. Just take this movie as maybe and alternative prequel to young and dangerous in another world.

The plot is pretty bare, so are the lines, but the chick, Carmen lee, is a total babe! This film is all style over substance, unfortunately theres not much style, and even less substance.

When watching, just dont think about the other young and dangerous films, i guess this is a kinda stand alone film. I wouldnt pay money to watch it in the cinema, but its good enough for video. Oh, the film is about two rival societies, but mainly about the son of one societies leaders. Father and son arnt on good terms, but something happens to father, so son has to avenge. You know the deal. The son is played by tony leung, who is supose to be great with the knife...Bits of starwars here, dont see, feel! and also a little bit of bloodsport as well! Jordan Chan plays his loser sidekick, pretty silly at times. His character is meant to be the same as young and dangerous, but theyre pretty much different. Anyway, enough from me. Its ok to watch, but nothing to write home about.

Sam