God of Gamblers 3: The Early Stage
Year: 1996
Director: Wong Jing
Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Anita Yuen Wing-Yee, Jordan Chan Siu-Chun,
Gigi Leung Wing-Kei, Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Chung King-Fai, Cheung
Tat-Ming, Tsui Kam-Kong, Ngai Sing, Moses Chan Ho, Ho Ka-Kui, Ng
Chi-Hung
Review
Because Chow Yun-Fat will not return to Hong Kong, Wong Jing
decided to go back in time. This origin story sans Chow tells of Ko
Chuns start as a young boy to his eventual crowning as the God of
Gamblers. In a debatable move, Sky King Leon Lai subs for Chow. If
this sounds like a mistake - it isnt. Wong Jing actually pulls
together a good one here, with decent production values, a fun
script, and terrific performances.
The story picks up as Ko Chun prepares to hit the gambling circuit
with his godfather (Chung King-Fai), and his two gambling partners
(Gigi Leung and Francis Ng). However, money is ultimately the
devil's candy, and Chun is betrayed by those he trusts most.
Luckily, he's taken in by Sister Seven (Anita Yuen), who's been a
long-time admirer of Ko Chun. With her help, he prepares to take
back what he lost, which is pretty much the theme of every God of
Gamblers film ever made.
Even more help arrives in the form of the young Lone Ng, who was
essayed by triad producer Charles Heung in the other God of
Gamblers films. In this prequel, he's played by Jordan Chan, who
simply owns this picture. Chan shows an amazing charisma and
physical presence that completely blows Leon Lai out of the water.
Lai doesn't really do such a bad job himself, but his version of Ko
Chun is essentially another version of his usual acting mode. It's
the co-stars who save this film; both Chan and Anita Yuen (who
turns in one of her patented loveable turns) are terrific, and
effectively carry the picture.
The rest of the film is the usual mishmash of typical Wong Jing
elements, meaning time outs for action, laughs, and some overdone
romanticism. As commercial Hong Kong pop cinema goes, this movie is
tough to beat. (Kozo 1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UHSyT21C0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_eXBlfsLgk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsG2kEorOtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3qaqtpIDvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89NAaFrLxFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mzpJBX1mFk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iozPR47_kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVwwGylr2MM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-01DcogfH_E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVi--mreSXY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPGQQr56JA0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdhcW4VQq0
