As quoted from its website,
"The movie THREE is an omnibus of Asian mystery tales, inspired by the desire of three film-makers in three very different countries - Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong - to create an exciting new movie in a proven genre which would appeal to audiences across Asia. THREE represents a true pan-Asian collaboration, as it brings together three acclaimed directors from each country - respectively Kim Jee-woon, Nonzee Nimibutr and Peter Ho-sun Chan - as well as three vibrant new film production companies - b.o.m film production, Cinemasia and Applause Pictures."
Ok, with that out of the way, below my take on "THREE"
The derivative Korean section("Memories" by Kim Jee-woon)is mediocre at best. Resorting to cheap shock tactics, it completely lacks that the hair raising mood provided by the likes of Dark Water or THE EYE(Both Asian Horror Hits over the past year).
For the Thai section("The Wheel" by Nonzee Nimibutr of "Nang Nak" fame), what can I say? To put it nicely, the film would have worked if it was made for an unjaded audience 10-20 years ago. (In short, not very scary)
But for the Hong Kong Section, that's another story.
Directed by Peter Ho-sun Chan("Comrades, almost a love story") and exquisitely shot by Christopher Doyle, "Coming Home"(its title) completely blew me away.
If I had a say, I would have rather "Coming Home" been a complete movie by itself.
Part Sci-fi, part horror, this idiosyncratic film is in a league of its own. In a strange concoction of morbid chills and genuine pathos, "Coming Home" came packed with an unexpectedly heartbreaking punch. I didn't know what hit me until its searing climax. Unbelievable...
Worthy mention goes to Leon Lai for his intensely left-of-center performance. (Spoilers) Despite portraying an initially creepy character with perversed tendency, Leon miraculously blindsided our judgement with his overwhelming conviction to his wife, whose love he had for, is beyond simple words. This was indeed a tour de force performance deserving of award recognition come year end. Had he not completely discarded his pop idol veneer, this film might have fallen apart like its two other Asian counterparts.
Having been mis-marketed as a straight horror flick, audiences who went into "THREE" were thus sorely disappointed. Coupled by the disappointments of the first two installment, "Coming Home" may as a result be denied its rightful chance to shine. And shine it did.
"Coming Home" dared challenge the artistic threshold of its audience. Transcending its genre origins, this profoundly moving film brims with ethereal beauty, stirring soul and most of all, a sincere heart. I am going out on a limb here but I think "Coming Home" can qualifiably rank as one of the most poignant films to come out of Hong Kong cinema in recent years.
At the very least, when all the hoopla dies down, I can take comfort that films like this remain as treasured cult classics for discerning movie lovers out there.
"The movie THREE is an omnibus of Asian mystery tales, inspired by the desire of three film-makers in three very different countries - Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong - to create an exciting new movie in a proven genre which would appeal to audiences across Asia. THREE represents a true pan-Asian collaboration, as it brings together three acclaimed directors from each country - respectively Kim Jee-woon, Nonzee Nimibutr and Peter Ho-sun Chan - as well as three vibrant new film production companies - b.o.m film production, Cinemasia and Applause Pictures."
Ok, with that out of the way, below my take on "THREE"
The derivative Korean section("Memories" by Kim Jee-woon)is mediocre at best. Resorting to cheap shock tactics, it completely lacks that the hair raising mood provided by the likes of Dark Water or THE EYE(Both Asian Horror Hits over the past year).
For the Thai section("The Wheel" by Nonzee Nimibutr of "Nang Nak" fame), what can I say? To put it nicely, the film would have worked if it was made for an unjaded audience 10-20 years ago. (In short, not very scary)
But for the Hong Kong Section, that's another story.
Directed by Peter Ho-sun Chan("Comrades, almost a love story") and exquisitely shot by Christopher Doyle, "Coming Home"(its title) completely blew me away.
If I had a say, I would have rather "Coming Home" been a complete movie by itself.
Part Sci-fi, part horror, this idiosyncratic film is in a league of its own. In a strange concoction of morbid chills and genuine pathos, "Coming Home" came packed with an unexpectedly heartbreaking punch. I didn't know what hit me until its searing climax. Unbelievable...
Worthy mention goes to Leon Lai for his intensely left-of-center performance. (Spoilers) Despite portraying an initially creepy character with perversed tendency, Leon miraculously blindsided our judgement with his overwhelming conviction to his wife, whose love he had for, is beyond simple words. This was indeed a tour de force performance deserving of award recognition come year end. Had he not completely discarded his pop idol veneer, this film might have fallen apart like its two other Asian counterparts.
Having been mis-marketed as a straight horror flick, audiences who went into "THREE" were thus sorely disappointed. Coupled by the disappointments of the first two installment, "Coming Home" may as a result be denied its rightful chance to shine. And shine it did.
"Coming Home" dared challenge the artistic threshold of its audience. Transcending its genre origins, this profoundly moving film brims with ethereal beauty, stirring soul and most of all, a sincere heart. I am going out on a limb here but I think "Coming Home" can qualifiably rank as one of the most poignant films to come out of Hong Kong cinema in recent years.
At the very least, when all the hoopla dies down, I can take comfort that films like this remain as treasured cult classics for discerning movie lovers out there.