This is along the lines of classic disaster suspense movies. A bus full of people discover they are the only ones left in the world. There are a few scenes that'll make you bend over with laughter. Some scenes that you just go "yeah right". Some of the dialog is forced and corny, some of it interesting. The acting however never really carries over. A remake with better acting and script might be a really interesting movie. I give it a 6 just because of some of the scenes are worth watching just for those scenes and the general idea of the movie even if it never really gets there, is a good one. The movie was probably inspired by stories and movies like The Langoliers, Vanishing on 7th st, and so on. Same basic concept. Everyone is gone except them and the attempt to solve the mystery.
14 Reviews
Interesting BUT
alice-loweecey17 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
(Spoiler)
WARN PEOPLE ABOUT RAPE SCENES DAMMIT! I skipped ahead 5 mins and I don't care if I missed something. The rapist could've had so many other reasons for being a scumbag. Just STOP with rape as a plot device already!
Other than that: Clever. Believable characters. Quite off the wall. Good use of gallows humor.
I almost didn't mind the abrupt ending because I was too busy coming up with possible reasons for everything. I'm one of the people who also didn't mind the ending of Don't Blink, either.
Recommended with the above caveats.
WARN PEOPLE ABOUT RAPE SCENES DAMMIT! I skipped ahead 5 mins and I don't care if I missed something. The rapist could've had so many other reasons for being a scumbag. Just STOP with rape as a plot device already!
Other than that: Clever. Believable characters. Quite off the wall. Good use of gallows humor.
I almost didn't mind the abrupt ending because I was too busy coming up with possible reasons for everything. I'm one of the people who also didn't mind the ending of Don't Blink, either.
Recommended with the above caveats.
Midnight After Drunk
j-penkair11 May 2015
I found this ambivalent film most annoying. If I were from Hong Kong, would I have gotten any more messages than I did as a foreigner? The first blow to this film is that the director and screenwriter do not know how to translate some serialized web stories into a coherent film. Without a coherent story and theme, no believability is established. Disbelief is not suspended, and exposed throughout. If a message is to be delivered, they have lost their audience right after the first 30 minutes. The audience simply gives up caring. Characters, supposed to be rich and various, do not matter to them, even with so many background stories laid down. The second blow is a real bad mix of suspense and humour. I feel like watching an unstable storyteller who can't keep his or her pace. One minute there is a hope, then another minute, dashed. The third point is an absolutely unnecessary length of over two hours. Too long of a half-cooked film turns the audience against it. Dialogue and sub-stories should have been made concise, and helped the flow of the storytelling. I have a feeling that director Fruit Chan must have written or re-written the script as he went along. Otherwise it would not look like a film made by a drunk. Hong Kong films are usually with certain standards. Their low-graded films are usually not so low. But this film by Fruit Chan is a few notches lower than the usual. Not recommended.
Not worth it
little_wackie1 August 2018
This movie is great at first, makes you wonder what will happen to the passengers on the bus, then ends telling you nothing. This was set up to be a great horror movie, but fell flat. 17 people get on a bus, and once the bus leaves a tunnel, they are the only ones left, everyone vanishes. You watch then try to survive their empty world and just when you think you'll get some answers......they roll the credits. This was kind-of a waste of time, could've been a great movie, but it has no ending.
likely to become a top local favourite
harry_tk_yung12 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Unambiguously SciFi and/or supernatural, Fruit Chan's latest offer, ironically, is less surreal than many of his earlier works. "Red Van" is a "screenplay based on material from another media" (for those who must have Hollywood jargon), an Internet novel, to be precise. What director Chan did was to take the template of the plot (which is quite familiar, as a matter of fact) and populated it with statements on the current political environment of the Hong Kong SAR (not the lethal disease, but Special Administrative Region, of the PRC). With the anything-goes plot and the assortment of characters as weird as he fancies, Chan has complete free rein to do whatever he wants, and the only limit is his imagination. With his previous works, director Chan has demonstrated that imagination is not something he lacks. Still, there are some borrowed inspirations – by sheer coincidence, I watched the DVD of "Murder on the Orient Express" just a couple of days before I saw "The midnight after". If you have seen both, you know what I mean.
Seventeen people in a public passenger transportation van coming out of a tunnel after midnight find that the world as they know is no longer. No, this is not about post-nuke devastation – the places are all intact. It is the people who are gone (a little bit like Stephen King's "The Langoliers" but not the same), except for some "masked people". From here on, as I mentioned, it's everything goes.
The interesting cast should be well hailed: international star Simon Yam, local favoruite Lam Suet, teen idol Janice Man, old time "Shine" duet Chiu Tien-you and Wong You-nam, hottest local sort of "Step Up 3" discovery Cherry Ngan (wonderful in "The way we dance"), Fruit Chan's "picked up from curbside" discovery from his acclaimed debut "Made in Hong Kong" Sam Lee, iconic and talented Vincci Cheuk who shocked Hong Kong's broadcasting world nearly (but not quite) two decades ago as the youngest (something like 16) DJ with an immensely successful show, and veteran Kara Hui who won best actress in the first ever Hong Kong Film Awards in 1982.
By all indications, this movie is going to be among all time local favourites.
Seventeen people in a public passenger transportation van coming out of a tunnel after midnight find that the world as they know is no longer. No, this is not about post-nuke devastation – the places are all intact. It is the people who are gone (a little bit like Stephen King's "The Langoliers" but not the same), except for some "masked people". From here on, as I mentioned, it's everything goes.
The interesting cast should be well hailed: international star Simon Yam, local favoruite Lam Suet, teen idol Janice Man, old time "Shine" duet Chiu Tien-you and Wong You-nam, hottest local sort of "Step Up 3" discovery Cherry Ngan (wonderful in "The way we dance"), Fruit Chan's "picked up from curbside" discovery from his acclaimed debut "Made in Hong Kong" Sam Lee, iconic and talented Vincci Cheuk who shocked Hong Kong's broadcasting world nearly (but not quite) two decades ago as the youngest (something like 16) DJ with an immensely successful show, and veteran Kara Hui who won best actress in the first ever Hong Kong Film Awards in 1982.
By all indications, this movie is going to be among all time local favourites.
Not great but not bad, patience and a mature thought process needed.
niehow18 October 2017
Certainly not a film for an average American used to seeing the marvel "super-hero" movies that proliferate Hollywood. If you need action, guns, and 5th grade plot structures then you won't be able to follow a film that has atmosphere, characters and the need for Intellect. A good film is one that needs many viewings and asks questions that can't be answered. Also, there is such a culture divide for china it takes many years living their to even begin to understand (been there, done that). With this all said i would still give this film a try, it's much better than most others.
A closing comment, another reviewer of this film degraded himself by actually ridiculing the director's name! Exactly like a fifth grader would do, which is probably the limit of his intelligence.
A closing comment, another reviewer of this film degraded himself by actually ridiculing the director's name! Exactly like a fifth grader would do, which is probably the limit of his intelligence.
Seneseless waste of time
trulygrate15 September 2014
The first 30 minutes of the story is very suspenseful. In the second half, the story stagnates real quick and goes no where for the rest of the movie because Fruit Chan decides to insert hidden political messages about Hong Kong's society or whatever the hell that no one cares for except the director. Worst, 3 quarters of the story is riddled with empty dialog and filler scenes that doesn't flow or do crap; very annoyed to see the film go no where, especially since the story is an adaptation of a popular online fiction that was actually enjoyable.
The movie had no climax and no resolution. At the end, I was like...What the F did I just watch? Was the director f-ed up? How can anyone in the production team approve this trash of a film? This movie is an epic failure and an utter disgrace to film making.
Oh, please just stop directing movies, Fruit Loop. You suck, just like your actual name.
The movie had no climax and no resolution. At the end, I was like...What the F did I just watch? Was the director f-ed up? How can anyone in the production team approve this trash of a film? This movie is an epic failure and an utter disgrace to film making.
Oh, please just stop directing movies, Fruit Loop. You suck, just like your actual name.
I enjoyed the movie but hated the ending.
berg-7453210 October 2021
I really having nothing else to say then my title. The story was good pretty unique and the movie gave an interesting glimpse of Hong Kong and for 1 hour and 50 minutes I really enjoyed it and I can only assume this is a culturally acceptable way to end a movie like this. That's my interpretation is it accurate I have no clue but all that being said I would definitely recommend watching it my perception of the ending and my dislike for its ending might not be yours.
film leaves you hanging - no discernible ending
lcocsj27 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
there are many schools of thought out there about this being an allegory of the state on Hong Kong. balderdash. while this film may be based on a web-novel, it's clear the director took too many liberties and destroyed what was originally intended by the author. if the book is a political message, the film is basic - - - 17 astronauts are trapped in hypersleep. they wind up being lost in space for 6 years and are slowly realizing that they must find a way home. they were all chosen for the mission because they all needed large sums of money. while the film has no ending whatsoever, this is what can be determined from all of the images and personal stories we see in the film. some things are still unanswered (why does one girl appear somewhere when she is not really there? an alien doppelgänger perhaps?). the film started out great, and fell flat before the final inconclusive scene.
be clear here - this is a film directed by a guy named Fruit based on a novel by a guy named Pizza. there you have it, in a nutshell. a senseless directionless film. don't invest your time.
be clear here - this is a film directed by a guy named Fruit based on a novel by a guy named Pizza. there you have it, in a nutshell. a senseless directionless film. don't invest your time.
Um.......
hildebrandt_e15 November 2021
It was interesting until the end where NOTHING was explained!!!!!!!
I mean it had a lot of potential a lot of good attention grabbing concepts but the ending ruined it you ruined it I told you nothing it explained nothing. It didn't even leave it up to the imagination it just gave you nothing it just ended but ended no explanation no Full circle no nothing. Basically, frustrating would be the best word to explain my feelings about this movie.
It could've been really good I had a lot of great ideas and an interesting take on how to tell a story but in the end it fell dead.
I mean it had a lot of potential a lot of good attention grabbing concepts but the ending ruined it you ruined it I told you nothing it explained nothing. It didn't even leave it up to the imagination it just gave you nothing it just ended but ended no explanation no Full circle no nothing. Basically, frustrating would be the best word to explain my feelings about this movie.
It could've been really good I had a lot of great ideas and an interesting take on how to tell a story but in the end it fell dead.
Good movie
dkelsbury10 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I read some spoiler reviews first, so I was prepared to be disappointed in this movie, especially knowing the ending leaves you hanging. Maybe being forewarned helped, but I did enjoy this movie and I'm glad I took a chance on it. Your experience may be different, particularly if you haven't watched many Asian movies before this.
The cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity was a brilliant scene. Some seemingly random things happen that are not clearly explained by the end of the movie. For example, people getting sick and crumbling into ash or catching fire. Some hints may have been nothing more than false leads to keep the mystery going (like the Morse code phone messages). But I felt the last scene made it plain that the passengers were actually traveling on to the next life as everyone talked about loved ones and voiced their regrets.
To give credit where it's due, the movie still didn't make complete sense to me until I read the review. A bus crash would explain about 80-90% of the puzzling events such as people burning suddenly, bruises appearing. Also the words of the man in the gas mask (a medic) saying "I'm trying to help you." This makes some scenes quite poignant when you think back on them. I remember the last line as the bus is driving away from the city and one of the women says "I'm going to miss it." She's not talking about the deserted city of Tai Po- she's saying she is going to miss the living world. The passengers start to mourn their lives at the end because they are moving on to the next life and will not be returning to their families.
The cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity was a brilliant scene. Some seemingly random things happen that are not clearly explained by the end of the movie. For example, people getting sick and crumbling into ash or catching fire. Some hints may have been nothing more than false leads to keep the mystery going (like the Morse code phone messages). But I felt the last scene made it plain that the passengers were actually traveling on to the next life as everyone talked about loved ones and voiced their regrets.
To give credit where it's due, the movie still didn't make complete sense to me until I read the review. A bus crash would explain about 80-90% of the puzzling events such as people burning suddenly, bruises appearing. Also the words of the man in the gas mask (a medic) saying "I'm trying to help you." This makes some scenes quite poignant when you think back on them. I remember the last line as the bus is driving away from the city and one of the women says "I'm going to miss it." She's not talking about the deserted city of Tai Po- she's saying she is going to miss the living world. The passengers start to mourn their lives at the end because they are moving on to the next life and will not be returning to their families.
Spoilers - What I think this movie is.
entropyjx4 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is not a bad movie.
But it will make many people angry because nothing is answered.
What I think actually happened in the movie is: The bus driver was distracted, he crashed into another truck carrying fuel. Many passengers are burned alive (the students, the husband, the impotent). Other passengers die from the impact instantly (Lavina). The rest of the passengers die from blood loss (red rain at the end), and they are taking the "mini bus" to the afterlife, which either Kwoloon or the mountain.
The men in the masks and trucks are actually paramedics and ambulances, trying to save their lives.
As they die, some of the passengers are reminencing about their loved ones, and regretting that they have to go.
Although black comedy is woven throughout the film, I've never seen a movie that has made me feel so vividly:
1) Creeping dread 2) Fear of inevitable death 3) Panic 4) Grief of losing a loved one.
The acting is quite good, especially the leads.
So my theory is that the movie is the director trying to replicate the feeling of David Bowie's "Space Oddity", which is about Major Tom who launches into space, loses control and contact with Ground Control and dies stranded in space, trying to send a last message to his wife that he loves her. Perhaps the same feeling as many of the characters feel as they lie dying from the crash.
But it will make many people angry because nothing is answered.
What I think actually happened in the movie is: The bus driver was distracted, he crashed into another truck carrying fuel. Many passengers are burned alive (the students, the husband, the impotent). Other passengers die from the impact instantly (Lavina). The rest of the passengers die from blood loss (red rain at the end), and they are taking the "mini bus" to the afterlife, which either Kwoloon or the mountain.
The men in the masks and trucks are actually paramedics and ambulances, trying to save their lives.
As they die, some of the passengers are reminencing about their loved ones, and regretting that they have to go.
Although black comedy is woven throughout the film, I've never seen a movie that has made me feel so vividly:
1) Creeping dread 2) Fear of inevitable death 3) Panic 4) Grief of losing a loved one.
The acting is quite good, especially the leads.
So my theory is that the movie is the director trying to replicate the feeling of David Bowie's "Space Oddity", which is about Major Tom who launches into space, loses control and contact with Ground Control and dies stranded in space, trying to send a last message to his wife that he loves her. Perhaps the same feeling as many of the characters feel as they lie dying from the crash.
Getting political
kosmasp14 February 2016
The movie itself start off very mysterious and it maintains that mystery all through the end. And while I haven't read or seen the story this is based on, therefor cannot comment on similarities, I can say even from far away, that this movie loves analogies. And it dares its viewers to think and is not just an entertainment piece.
While very violent and strangely funny at times, it will be hard to keep track of events if you don't keep up with it. The actors are all amazing and while dialog choices might feel benign and without meaning in general, I'm pretty sure you can get a lot from even the simplest exchange. The Hong Kong allegory and everything that comes with it (uncertainty and more) was not an easy thing to achieve. It's not being seen lightly upon making stories that are political or have a strong message. Which makes this movie even more powerful ... if you are into this thing. Obviously not everyone is, though try not to get personal, if you don't like a movie ... Tastes are different, especially when it comes to something that is artfully done, but maybe not your thing
While very violent and strangely funny at times, it will be hard to keep track of events if you don't keep up with it. The actors are all amazing and while dialog choices might feel benign and without meaning in general, I'm pretty sure you can get a lot from even the simplest exchange. The Hong Kong allegory and everything that comes with it (uncertainty and more) was not an easy thing to achieve. It's not being seen lightly upon making stories that are political or have a strong message. Which makes this movie even more powerful ... if you are into this thing. Obviously not everyone is, though try not to get personal, if you don't like a movie ... Tastes are different, especially when it comes to something that is artfully done, but maybe not your thing
Great look into HK allegorical writing
eileenpa11 August 2018
Many people have expressed their opinions regarding the screenplay and director's intent regarding this mystery in Hong Kong. As someone who loves watching international movies to gain insights into other cultures, I was looking forward to watching this movie. I was pleasantly rewarded.
I wouldn't say that the movie answers every question, or that the ending ties up everything in a neat bow. However, the acting ensemble is extremely good, and more than one viewpoint can be argued for threads throughout the film. It definitely provides insight into Hong Kong culture post-GB.
Highly recommended.
I wouldn't say that the movie answers every question, or that the ending ties up everything in a neat bow. However, the acting ensemble is extremely good, and more than one viewpoint can be argued for threads throughout the film. It definitely provides insight into Hong Kong culture post-GB.
Highly recommended.
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