Tim sum fun si wong (2007) User Reviews

Super Phonies

[Coolestmovies · 3/10 · 5 July 2007]

Ostensibly a film—and a good-looking one at that—about fan worship and the merry lengths to which obsessives will stoop to be nearer their idols, this obvious, toothless misfire reveals its true intentions right on the poster, which features most of the cast of pop stars screaming at some unseen performer, waving colorful signs featuring their own names! Including Benz Hui!

This isn't about the darker side of fandom; if it was, it might be a deliciously cruel satire, a pop-psychological thriller or even a straight-up slapstick comedy. It might also be good. No, this is about a major Hong Kong karaoke conglomerate funding a film featuring a handful of recording artists and not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings. So, no "who's that really supposed to be?" moments as we watch asshole pop-idol-du-jour Sammy soundly trounce his closest ratings competitor, quiet, sensitive pop idol Kevin, thanks to the dirty trickery of super fan Charlene. And also no "what have I become" moments of introspection as Charlene wises up to her own self-deception. Of course not! Why would she, when she can so believably land the job of assistant to a big pop star simply by saving him from a comparatively more deranged fan, and later waltz right into another pop star's apartment and make friends over his favorite food, and finally blame her droopy-poopy helper, rural mailman Leo Ku, for his own love-sickness because he simply misread what her slavish devotion to superficial celebrities was all about?

One suspects screenwriter Anselm Chan Mau-yin may have based his characters on idealized notions of celebrity/fan cultures rather than any kind of known reality. Sammy chews the scenery with abandon, Kevin is a handsome non-entity, Benz Hui makes for an awkward gay man (as Kevin's manager), director Eric Kot needlessly plays Charlene's dad as a disconnected weirdo, and Charlene runs through the same pout-mumble-stomp-grin routine she's been doing for over five years now, long past the cuteness expiry date. And what's the point of the final scene?

Like the reviewers here before me, I am a huge fan of Hong Kong cinema, but I know when I'm being played. If you're new to the form, you might dig this, otherwise, stay away.

Lame at times, but reflective!

[symeon_chiam · 8/10 · 15 April 2007]

Okay, I have to admit this! I simply love and enjoy Hong Kong movies for a fact, and those of Taiwan as well... Simply because their story lines are simple to understand, catered to me, as an Asian, humorous, depicts real life events and at the end of the day, it's not that we are simple-minded, it's just that such movies tell of the ongoing routine things in our life. The purpose of making a production of such movies is to tell us and show us who we really are... I like the saying that always go that whenever we are in our own body, less is known about ourselves, but whenever others people judge, we accept not, until we adopt another human body and see through our own personalities, then only would we understand the true person we are. But that's not the moral of this movie's storyline... I will tell you in a while though.

This movie starts off with the introduction of two famous artistes, Sampson (Sammy) and Yan Cheng (Kevin Cheng) with their respective fan-based groups. Both are over-time opponents in the music and dancing industries, and this also applies true for their fans. Each of these artistes have their own true characters in which it would take no time to unravel. Sampson loves to party all night long, indulges in sexual sin, desires for intimate relationships and would go boogy all night whenever he loses control over himself. A lusty individual in which not many people would have seen, not even his fans or his wife (which was kept a secret to many). However, due to his capability to adapt through time and appeal to his fans through the help of some of them; he eventually gained remarkable popularity. His fans increased in numbers and most of which who were former fans of Yan Cheng. Yan Cheng on the other hand is a quiet and a peaceful individual who shares his interest not to numbers, but to the true love of music. You would find him a gentle person with no grudges against his opposite number, which is the main cause of leading him to lose his fans; nor was he angered with Sussie for initiating a lot of disastrous plans for each of his concerts. As he would say in the movie, he would not mind even then to sing if there is only one fan who supports him. To him, nothing matters as long as he can show his talents through the industry that he is in tune with.

Charlene Choi plays Sussie, a leader of Sampson's fan-based group in whom would go all heels for him and do anything to gain him his popularity and play prank on Yan Cheng to lead him to his downfall. She would demand a formality of oath-taking and the kissing of Sampson's poster before adopting the newbies to regular members of the fan group. How intriguing, or should I say disgusting! Ahaha... you will find out why once you watch it. Sussie has a childhood friend who stays with her after his parents passed away - Kim (played by Leo Ku). Kim as depicted in this movie, was secretly in love with Sussie but did not have the courage to speak his mind and his heart. Being overly sensitive and remarkably nice at the same time, he would go at all ends to ensure Sussie's safety and happiness. He shares most of her hobbies and interests, especially that one with the cheerleading of the fan groups; and yes, even playing pranks on Sampson's opposite number.

Things however got awry when Sussie was taken in as a new assistant for Sampson where their first assignment was to travel to Beijing for a contest on Beijing's Best Singer Award. Sussie was deliberately forced on by Sampson (who I would have all the reason to believe at that time being sexually deprived and being banned from having visitors to his room after the incident with another hot chic singer) though she managed to escape from the room untouched. Unknowingly to the both of them, Sussie had switched on her cellphone to record the incident until of late when she finds out her guilt and would want to turn over a new leaf. The decision lies strictly and predictedly on getting Sampson on his knees and losing his final award of course, but then again, watch the REAL thing to enjoy! The moral of the story lies most on the personality of Kim (Leo Ku), whom being so extremely nice to Sussie; when questioned by Sussie on why so; he remained speechless. Now that's not the way to get things through a relationship; furthermore, it's really his loss when in actual fact, he's been given an ample time of opportunity to tell her that he loves her. But of course, having known her from childhood up till now, that three words would have become a hard rock phrase to utter, hence explaining the 'above and beyond the call of duty' actions of his to help out Sussie whenever she is in trouble, in hoping that one day, just one day, that Sussie will take notice of him through his actions. He took her fall, he took her troubles and he took her sadness into his but the girl did nothing to appreciate his personality as a whole openly from top to bottom; not until now (the last part of the movie). Kinda irritating to learn that, but then again, the first step lies on the guy's side! =)

HK Neo Reviews: Super Fans

[webmaster-3017 · 6/10 · 21 July 2010]

Charlene tries hard in an ultimately lacking flick… It's been since the Confession of Pain that Neo have been at the cinemas for a HK flick, but why he decided to venture again remains a mystery. Going into the counter, Neo did not know what movie was on and perhaps randomly he asked for whatever HK movie that is currently showing. The result is sitting in an almost empty cinema, embracing the antics of the alarmingly cute, Charlene Choi and the disappointing effort from director Eric Kot, who "once upon a time" directed a flick that even Wong Kar Wai wanted to be associated with. It is a film with three acts and unfortunately the first act is bloody annoying and at times stretching to the point of boredom. Luckily, Kot realized the above flaw and set about redeeming the movie with a fine 2nd and 3rd act, but still it is ultimately too manufactured, too predictable and too cloying to buy. Perhaps the flick is a direct comment about what happened to Andy Lau and his obsessive fan recently, but the social commentary never reaches those heights, nor does it seem to be aiming to be.

The movie goes like this: Basically Charlene is one crazy fan who is obsessed in everything that Sammy does. Leo Kuo is a hopeless romantic who drools on his house mate who is Charlene. Leo is willing to help Charlene to do whatever she requests and soon Charlene realise that Sammy is not someone worthy of being idolised… No matter what, this is ultimately a film for Charlene Choi to showcase her ultra-cute acting antics. As mention in an earlier review, the Twins are better off separated and once again, Charlene is more comfortable by herself. Here she jumps up and down, laughs like she always does, scream as though she is possessed and cry when she feels like it. The effect is pretty much a performance that we have all seen before and no matter how hard she tries, she offers nothing new, either than being adorably cute. Still, she is by far the only good thing that the film has to offer and carries the film through it entire duration. As for Leo Kuo, his role of being a Mr. Nice Guy isn't exactly something to boost about, but at the very least he is likable enough. However, the casting of Sammy as the ultimate super star is both lame and stupid. Perhaps, Kot is commenting on the superficial natural of the HK entertainment in emphasizing how someone so shallow and hallow can have so many obsessive fans. Nonetheless, the choice of Sammy is clearly a bad decision, as it adds to the unbelievable nature of the flick, after all who in the right mind would claim that Sammy is cool and handsome. Man, Neo is starting to head to the toilet for some vomiting.

It is really saddening to witness how far Eric Kot has fallen by directing this flick. While he was so promising in a little film called – First Love, so much so that even Wong Kar Wai provided some finishing touches to it. However, in Super Fans, we can see no evidence of that former flair and the result is a non-adventurous and a shallow look at the industry problem of obsessive fans. Adding to the disappointment is an annoying cameo performance from Kot, an actor who have matured in the past two years with some quality supporting display.

All in all, Super Fans is really an extremely light take on the issue of obsessive fans and the result is leaving the audience with a feeling of lacking in everything department. It is sad to that filmmakers nowadays will think of a good idea and then will go straight into filming the picture, without much prior planning. The casting of Sammy adds to the frustration and the first act remains quite boring. However, the film is saved by an outright trying performance from the ever energetic Charlene Choi and a somewhat better 2nd and 3rd act. Still, at the very best the film is just average and thanks to the antics of Charlene Choi, this movie contains some enjoyable and fun scenes. With that being said, Neo is a former Twins fan…

I rate it 6.25/10.

• www.thehkneo.com

Funny as hell, very touching

[trex3567 · 10/10 · 15 June 2007]

Charlene Choi from the pop duo TWINS stars in this tongue-in-cheek comedy as Sussie, a super fan of dancer/singer Sum Lee. When Sussie gets a chance to join Sum's entourage as an assistant, however, she is surprised to discover that her No.1 idol is a total jerk. Disappointed, Sussie soon finds herself attached to Sum's rival singer Yee instead. SUPER FANS is an amusing and satiric look at Hong Kong teenage girls' craving for extreme idol worship. it's worth your time. much better than I had expected. was not hoping for much, when I went in, but after I saw it It was satire right to the point. poke fun at everyone you should try it rent it you won' regret. acting was great