This film is a style over substance film. You get two beautiful stars in Shu Qi and Tien Hsin playing agents and Patrick Tam as a commercial director looking to woo Julia (Ms. Qi) for his new commercial and himself. This is a film you can't take too seriously, as there is some utter nonsense in it. However, it looks great, its a very vibrant film. The outdoor shots of Hong Kong are well filmed and the story is okay. The last twenty minutes are the best part of the film, up to then it somewhat meanders. If you want to see Shi Qi in a better film watch "Milennium Mambo", even if that film is decidedly not funny. Sandra Ng is in this, always welcome, but not for very long. So, if you like Shu Qi and/or Patrick Tam, check this out but don't expect profundity. They churn these films out in the U.S. all the time with an eye on the profit margin. If you're not a fan of three mentioned actors this is otherwise not essential viewing.
2 Reviews
Enjoyable spy-action-comedy-romance
gridoon202419 July 2008
Patrick Tam plays James, a director of TV commercials who becomes infatuated with Julia, a mysterious woman he happens to notice walking across the street one day (and since Julia is played by Shu Qi, who can blame him?). She is actually a high-tech industrial spy, and plans to quit the service after completing one more mission, with the help of her new partner Candy (Tien Hsin). When the women realize that they have been set up, James tries to help them and the initially hostile Julia begins warming up to him.
The hero's name, the trailer, even the DVD cover seem to suggest that this film is a James Bond spoof. It is not (James never becomes an agent, amateur or professional). It is a combination of comedy (it did make me laugh at a couple of points, usually when James' two horny buddies were involved), spy movie (Mission: Impossible - style), action and romance. It manages to keep a generally good balance between all those different ingredients. But let's be honest, the main reason this works is the cast: Shu Qi has a role that plays on her glamour, and she looks incredible in several shots. But Tien Hsin is arguably even better (and arguably even more beautiful; inarguably bustier), delivering a pitch-perfect performance as a seemingly airheaded woman who turns out to be quite the competent and serious agent when the need arises. Although some may disagree, I found her character EXTREMELY likable. It's an enjoyable film, and do sit through the closing credits: they will leave you with a smile on your face. (**1/2)
The hero's name, the trailer, even the DVD cover seem to suggest that this film is a James Bond spoof. It is not (James never becomes an agent, amateur or professional). It is a combination of comedy (it did make me laugh at a couple of points, usually when James' two horny buddies were involved), spy movie (Mission: Impossible - style), action and romance. It manages to keep a generally good balance between all those different ingredients. But let's be honest, the main reason this works is the cast: Shu Qi has a role that plays on her glamour, and she looks incredible in several shots. But Tien Hsin is arguably even better (and arguably even more beautiful; inarguably bustier), delivering a pitch-perfect performance as a seemingly airheaded woman who turns out to be quite the competent and serious agent when the need arises. Although some may disagree, I found her character EXTREMELY likable. It's an enjoyable film, and do sit through the closing credits: they will leave you with a smile on your face. (**1/2)
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