Young And Dangerous

Within a little over a year, three sequels were released and the "Triad youth" genre was born. Since then, there have been two other sequels, three prequels, two "spin-off" movies as well as many imitators or outright ripoffs. The series continues to be popular, with a new installment premiering during the summer of 2000.

While a lot of critics like to blather on incessantly about the parallels between the story and China's takeover of HK or how the characters reflect society, I tend to take the Y&D films for what they are -- pop entertainment. Sometimes I think film "experts" tend to forget that people watch movies for sheer enjoyment, not for deep philosophical meaning. And that is why I think the Y&D series is so popular -- it's just quite enjoyable to watch these young men, in a sense, grow up in front of us. The emphasis here is really not on the Triad antics -- though they of course figure heavily into the story -- but rather the relationships. You could think of it of a Hong Kong version of The Sopranos; it may be the violence and tough talk that draws you in, but it's the interaction between the characters that keeps you watching each new "episode" (movie).

It doesn't hurt that director Andrew Lau (not to be confused with the pop star/actor Andy Lau) packs quite a visual punch in the movies. Using steadicams (hand-held cameras) and working with sync sound, the Y&D movies have a fresh, flowing feel to them that perfectly captures the fast-paced lifestyle of Hong Kong in the late 20th century. Acting-wise, the cast list for the Y&D series reads like a "who's who" list of HK celebrities, from veterans like Simon Yam and Anthony Wong to newcomers such as Jordan Chan and Sam Lee. Combined with the intriguing, long-running narrative and well-paced, often violent turns in the story, it's no wonder why Young and Dangerous became such a phenomenon.

After working on Y&D, director Andrew Lau went on to work on some of the highest-grossing home-grown films in recent HK history, such as The Storm Riders and A Man Called Hero. The series' top stars ($$ID=Ekin Cheng$$ and $$ID=Jordan Chan$$) have become two of Hong Kong's -- and Asia's -- biggest box office draws, appearing (often together) in such high-profile movies as Hot War and Tokyo Raiders.

Review Courtesy of Neil Koch