My Wife Is a Gangster 3 (2006) User Reviews

Insanely good

[ebiros2 · 7/10 · 8 June 2011]

What do you get when you have the best Hong Kong movie elements mixed with the best Korean movies ? You get My Wife Is A Gangster 3.

Aryoung (Shu Qi) is in hiding in Korea because she's been marked for a hit in Hong Kong. She's under custody of Korean gang Ki Chul who's been ordered by his boss to protect her. He has enough trouble of his own as he needs to keep rival gangs from encroaching into his territory. It turns out that he's the one who's getting protection from Aryoung as she beats the rival gangs at every turn. Aryoung causes enough commotion to be targeted by the rival Korean gangs also. What would Ki Chul do to protect Aryoung ?

You really need to see this movie to appreciate how well it's made. There's action, and comedy that's pretty superb. Shu Qi puts in great performance, keeping the quality of the movie high. There are intriguing development of the story at every turn that keeps this movie going. Good action, and not so bad romance are woven into the script also.

This is one of the great action drama/comedy to come out of Asia. You really need to see it to appreciate it.

A Nutshell Review: My Wife is a Gangster 3

[DICK STEEL · 6/10 · 30 June 2007]

Director Cho Jin-gyu of the original action-comedy My Wife is a Gangster returns to direct this sequel. However, without the return of the titular Wife Cha Eun-jin (Shin Eun-Kyung), this movie is nothing more than just a namesake, but there's no stopping the linkage with the box office success of the earlier movies. The new Wife here (though she's actually a guest rather than a Wife) is none other than sultry looking Shu Qi, who plays Aryong, the daughter of a triad leader (what else) in Hong Kong, starring Ti Lung in a supporting role.

There are some bits shot in Hong Kong, and in the Cantonese language, which is all fine and dandy (given it's rare here to hear complete Cantonese dialogue in movies no thanks to the Speak Mandarin campaign), but what was bad in these scenes were the plenty of subtitles - in English, Mandarin and Korean, which cover almost 50% of the screen.

As the story goes, Aryong offends some gangsters in her homeland, and in a bid to ensure her safety, her father gets her packing overseas to take cover from the impending gangland war. She gets packed to where else, Korea (it's a Korean production after all), and becomes a guest to some Korean mafiaso, with Ki-Chul (Lee Beom-su) and his posse being the hosts and guardians of Aryong. But with the bumbling inept fools, you're quite certain who's the protector, and who's in need of protection here.

It's a fairly average movie with the usual lost in translation jokes, the clashing of cultures and of course, societal norms in a male dominated society. Mistaken intentions and deliberate translation errors to pursue individual character ends are the staple here, and some of them are genuinely funny, but like the adage, too much of a good thing cheapens it, especially when it continues to milk and replay scenes, such as over the dining table. You can see most of the jokes coming your way, and it depended very much on the actors' skill in delivery - that exaggerated body language, or that wide-eyed stare of disbelief and suspicion.

The action sequences are nothing much to wow about, especially with Shu Qi's superwoman Aryong character, who's almost only the character here who can fight. Given the number of goons thrown at her, you can't help but feel that many action scenes remind you of The Bride in Kill Bill, as she dispatches henchmen with so much ease, she rarely breaks into a sweat. And most times, with that deliberate long hair obscuring her face, you can bet your last dollar it's a stuntman taking over that lithe frame.

Some cheap shots were incorporated into the storyline, playing to Shu Qi's ex-vamp, slutty image of yesteryears. Guess you can't help it when you have some notoriety in your history, and scenes of boob grabs and woman-on-top staircase-induced gyrating scenes were in the movie quite unnecessarily, if nothing more for some juvenile laughs.

But all said, it's still a tad enjoyable, especially when you can't get tickets into the other blockbuster movies like Transformers and Die Hard 4.0 currently showing. Sometimes, movies like this when released at the same time of the expected sold-out movies, makes its cash by being the catch-all net from the expected overflow.

Swords, Style, Some Laughs

[polsixe · 5/10 · 2 March 2008]

Not having seen the MWiaG "1' and "2" earlier versions this was viewed as standalone with no expectations of being part 3 of a trilogy. Story begins in Hong Kong, a gangster turf war between high style pros, a daughter is sent away for safety and chooses.....Korea. Switch to Seoul and the local mob are somewhat less slick and professional. Chinese gal and Korean gang live for a time in small house, throw in a Korean/Chinese translator who puts her own spin on the conversations, a Korean gang turf war, a hit squad, chase scenes, martial arts, swordplay, a budding relationship...A definite homage with Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon type action (G rated). So far so good. The downside is some highly cringe-inducing romance, why does Aryoung fall for Ki-chul anyways? And the over-the-top buffoonery.

Not what I expected

[hellbent_64 · 6/10 · 18 April 2007]

When I watched this movie, I expected a continuation from the 2nd movie, not having previously read that Eun-Kyung Shin was either pregnant or replaced. As the other commenter noted, this film was/may have been been bought out by Miramax. This movie was good, but I expected the story to connect to the 2nd at some point, and left me puzzled. After an hour and a half, I realized that something was wrong. No Eun-Kyung Shin, no Zhang Ziyi. This movie could have been named something else entirely. Instead it is a totally different movie loosely based on gangsters, a strong female lead that can kick butt, and a goofy guy. I gave it a 6/10.

quite amusing

[chrichtonsworld · 6/10 · 13 May 2007]

The title of this movie is a bit misleading! I haven't seen the first two parts but what I gather that this third part is different from the earlier movies! Overall the movie is a comedy with some action in it! This is not a gangster movie! There is no real plot concerning gangs and their politics! It is about the daughter of a Chinese gangster who is accused of murdering another gangster! She has to hide in Korea under the protection of a business partner of the father! Other than this fact it has nothing to do with gangsters! Shu Qi is excellent as the main character! She is beautiful and one bad ass chick! So is Lee Beom-su as Ku Chil (from "City of violence)! He is quite the opposite from Shu Qi! The usual jokes about not understanding each other or wrong translation really gets tiresome! The subtle love story is nice and not annoying! There is just enough action to show that Shu Qi is not a girl to mess with! But satisfying it isn't! With the lack of real danger and tension the story is quite boring! In my opinion they should have put in more threatening action to compensate! Thanks to the performances of the actors this movie is quite amusing!

My Wife is a Gangster 3

[mr_popcorn · 7/10 · 13 October 2008]

"In December, Big Sister is arriving from Hong Kong."

Aryoung is sent away from her homeland of Hong Kong by her father . Her father is a powerful gang leader that is in the midst of a major power struggle. He is worried about the safety of Aryoung and thus gives her the choice to stay in another country until things settle down in Hong Kong. Aryoung picks South Korea, mainly because her mother is Korean and now lives somewhere in that country.

When Aryoung arrives at the Incheon airport, three Korean gang members are there waiting for her. The gangsters were assigned to protect Aryoung by their Korean boss. Unfortunately the three unwitting gangsters were not informed of Aryoung's background, nor are they aware that the person the would have take care of is a woman. Aryoung can't speak Korean and the gangsters can't speak Chinese. Thus an uncomfortable acquaintance period is endured until the gangsters hire a Chinese translator. The gangsters soon learn that Aryoung has quite a few more surprises behind her pretty appearance.

One of the funniest foreign films that I've seen so far and most probably, one of the best Korean films that I've seen but that really isn't something because I haven't seen a lot of Korean films, only Taegukgi comes to mind so this easily takes one of the top spots. Take note that I haven't seen the previous two installments so my review of this film is purely a stand alone and not in any way will it be judged and compared to the previous two films.

My Wife is a Gangster 3 is a movie that blended comedy and action really well. The comedy are courtesy of the three lovable gangster wannabes who were assigned to protect the Wife, portrayed by Shu Qi, but it turns out they were the ones that needed protection. The action mostly came from Shu Qi and if you put these characters together you get a hysterical laugh-out-loud fest that won't stop until it ends. Add to that the blossoming romance subplot involving lead gangster wannabe Ki-Chul and the Wife and you get an impressive K-flick that's worth the watch.

Americanized!!!!

[raymond-lanier · 3/10 · 27 March 2007]

The first comment is just one opinion. Now I'm giving you another. Miramax didn't buy the rights to the movie series for nothing! Jopog manura 1 & 2 were excellent! I was very disappointed to find out that Eun-Kyung Shin was no longer in the lead role. To put Qi Shu as the lead "Americanized" the film. Qi Shu was good in "So Close" but in this role where she's filling the shoes of a very strong actress. She just doesn't cut it. In my opinion, she's not that great. When you have a winning formula why change it? The movie execs should have done everything they could to keep Eun-Kyung Shin in this movie. Sissors and all! If you can, pick up Jopog manura 1 and 2 to enjoy yourself!

Comedy and action mixed quite well

[sendoh15 · 10/10 · 24 May 2007]

I loved this film even though im not familiar with the first two. I had no idea of what was in store before watching this, except that the title itself projects a sense of violence. I love gangster movies and after seeing this i even loved it more. It's different than the average gangster genre given that it has quite a lot of comedy interplay with the story. The actors aren't familiar to me except Qi shu which portrayed the role in a hardcore tough yet so fine and sexy way.

The comedy was very funny at times see for yourself. I liked the car chase scene it's something new, fresh, comic and a very sensual idea(you'll understand when you see it). It's cool to see interesting movies once in a while and this one is certainly the one you can't miss. Truly entertaining, overall funny, cool action scenes and a bit of that comic romance. Watch it, its worthwhile.

Watchable

[rich7354 · 6/10 · 28 December 2021]

While not a particularly great movie, it is a watchable mix of romance (some), action (some), and humor (some).

I do have to admit, however, the translation jokes did get old after a while.

Better than expected

[talonjensen · 8/10 · 4 November 2018]

This was better than I expected, especially for a 3rd installment. I am a little biased because I lived in Hong Kong for several years and speak Cantonese. I'm not going to recap the show because there are enough reviews here that do that.

While I liked Shu Qi's performance, for me, the translators steal the show, especially the female translator, Hyun Young. I did have a little trouble buying into the main romance, I just didn't see as much chemistry between them as I would expect, but there was enough it didn't detract from the show. Most of the Korean actors intentionally come across as buffoons which was a little too cartoonish, but very common in Asian shows.

This had a good balance of action with comedy, which I enjoy. Now I'll have to watch the first two, and I will try and withhold judgment even though I've already read they don't have much comedy.

A excellent comedy......

[thebanquet · 10/10 · 26 December 2006]

Let me just say that I was very happy when I first heard that in Jopog manura 3,Shu Qi was going to replace Shin Eun Kyung as the lead role. Although I have nothing against Shin Eun Kyung, I feel that the character of a female gangster requires just more than having a scary face. I was very disappointed when I saw Jopog manura and Jopog manura 2. I expected something truly funny with tons of mega kick action, but it turned out to be just another cliché Korean gangster film. But Jopog manura 3 is totally different from it's predecessors, having the right mix of comedy,action,and melodrama.(although I think that this movie should change it's title, given that the movie itself is totally different from it't title.)

Jopog manura 3 revolves around Ah Ryoung(Qi Shu), who is framed of murdering a crime boss from a rival gang to her father's. When her father(a spectacular performance from Lung Ti who starred in the legendary Hong Kong film "A Better Tomorrow")tells her to evacuate Hong Kong until the heat dies down, she chooses to go to South Korea, a country where her unknown mother was born. A Korean mob boss, who is friendly with Ah Ryoung's father, orders his third in charge Ki Chul(played by Lee Bum Soo, star of "The City of Violence" and "Oh Brothers")to protect Ah Ryoung during her stay. What started as a mutual relationship between Ki Chul and Ah Ryoung slowly develops into passionate love.

If I say more, I would be adding spoilers so I'll stop right here. But let me just say again that Jopog Manura 3 was the best movie that I have seen in a long time.

Rom Com with a Mary Sue

[bemyfriend-40184 · 10/10 · 20 February 2021]

Of course she's a Mary Sue. But we love her anyways; because she defends her boys. She is a form of nobility, in their world. Our male lead is not. He's a small fish (pun) in a big sea. He's not nobility; but he is noble. Which makes him her equal, in her eyes. The translator jokes, both male and female are great. This movie is not intellectual. But it is heartfelt, and heartwarming. I give it a ten.

The daughter of a triad leader is accused of murder. To escape death, as well as to find her estranged mother, she flees to Korea, bunking with a trio of gangsters.

[Gracelovesmovies · 10/10 · 6 September 2007]

Before i geared up to watch this movie, I hadn't expected much (which perhaps fuelled my enjoyment even more) as other reviews on the internet promised bad fighting sequences and flat acting. I beg to differ, however. The korean lead brings with him a series of quirky expressions and is very likable, and Shu qi's stoic attitude makes his wild expressions stand out all the more.

Despite not knowing each other's mother tongue, it is altogether believable that their marriage would work out, given Shu qi's entourage's quirky mistranslations that turn anything they say into sweet nothings. (Think about it, they would never have the chance to argue!) I entirely recommend watching this, as it had me rolling around in laughter. The first 5 minutes or so may be a bit of a drag, though-however, it is well worth enduring.

My advice for anyone who has yet to watch it? Don't take it too seriously!

An astonishing action movie!

[zhupenglan · 10/10 · 15 December 2023]

I have never seen the original. But at least in this case, this movie has no connection to the previous movie, so there was no need to find those two to understand this movie more deeply. And if I had, I would have simply done something wrong in life, given the overall lightness of most Korean comedies. I think I have made it clear that I love the country of Korea and parts of its culture. Most of the Korean movies I watch simply because they're made from that country. Although I know they probably won't do well and will eventually succumb to melodrama (they are known for melodrama, believe me). I think it's far from a good movie. But whatever it was, it was a surprisingly good movie. Then again, maybe it was a terrible movie and I was just in a good mood and could have been more forgiving, but I didn't have a problem with it in the slightest. Korea, like many other cultures around the world, is male-dominated. From business to music to media, this culture is very male-centered.