Movielogr
The Game Changer (2017)
Directed by Gao Xixi
Twitter Facebook Google+Overview
Two escaped prisoners join one of the most powerful gangs in Shanghai, the Green Gang, as the right-hand men of the head boss Mr. Tang. When Mr. Tang tries to gain total control over business dealings in Shanghai, he discovers his closest allies are not who they seem and turns against his own men to protect his power.
Length 126 minutes
Actors
Wang Xue-qi | Choo Ja-hyun | Jonathan Kos-Read | Jack Kao | Guli Nazha | Miura Kenichi | Huang Zitao | Qing Huo | Long Meizi | Peter Ho | Xu Zixin
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/12/2021 | Home Theater | DVD | Library | 7 stars |
| (Average) 7 stars |
Viewing Notes
Firstly: this is a terrible title for this movie! Just terrible!
Secondly: the trailer literally spoils key moments including the VERY END OF THE MOVIE! Fuck that noise.
Thirdly: I suppose I could make some assumptions as to why this has low ratings on both IMDb and TMDb but whatever.
I like this movie and its soap opera storytelling. I knew it was adapted from a tv series and it certainly shows. Fortunately two hours is more than enough time to establish these characters and be invested in their journey. I’d get this on Blu-ray if available bc everyone looks so pretty. I’m floored that Peter Ho was born in 1975 as he looks the same age as his counterparts both born in the early 1990s (Coulee Nazha and Zitao Huang). Through the miracle of movie magic Nazha always looks stunning even in the most frantic moments. She really has the 1930s glamour nailed, just gorgeous in every scene. Huang looks and acts like he was dropped in from an early ‘00s actioner.
Recently I’ve watched a few of these modern made 1930s period Chinese films and I can’t help but feel the anachronistic vibe they have due to the action and setpieces. The CGI I can get past but the wildly elaborate stunts and camerawork seem to pull me out of this world. This is conflicting given all the crazy HK period films I’ve seen from the 1990s. These new movies use a visual style and action moves that feel so out of place in this period. Sometimes it’s very minor things like in FINAL MASTER or CLIFF WALKERS or it’s many things like the opening setpiece for this movie (and continues throughout). It’s like such an unrealistic maneuver or stunt for that time period. But it’s certainly fun to watch!
This was my first solo movie in the Secret Cinema! That was nifty on its own. Still pissed at that trailer for giving up so many of the key moments.
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