Comic King (2001) [N/A]
Featuring:
Julian Cheung, Eason Chan, Ruby Lin
Written by:
Ding Kin Lau
Directed by:
Sing-Pui O
Release Date:
January 19, 2001
Original Title:
漫畫風雲
Alternate Titles:
Maan ung fung wan
Genres:
Drama | Romance
Production Countries:
Hong Kong
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 94
Two popular comic writers who are good friends start a comic publishing company but fall in love with the secretary, simultaneously, creating a rivalry that threatens to split their friendship and destroy their business.
As both a comic book fan and an Asian cinema buff, I was predisposed to liking this movie, and I did. It's an easy going, from A to B, kind of flick, and for what it is, it's entertaining. Basically, it's about a couple guys who get into the comics biz, and a girl comes between them. Yeah, that's pretty much it, but you can't judge Asian films by American standards; they're like night and day. The film moves at a quick, straight-forward pace, void of American gimmicks, but full of subtleties and nuances rarely found in American films that overdo and melodramatize everything. And that makes for a conundrum when it comes to putting this into a genre. It's not funny enough to be a comedy, and not serious enough to be drama, so yeah, I guess you would have to call it a romance, even though that's not the main focus of the plot. Now, understand, this is not a great film; it's good, not great. But at least it can't be so easily pigeon-holed, and for that it deserves credit. Hey, if you like comics, and you're open-minded about foreign flicks, give it a go. Otherwise, steer clear. It's no teen movie, and it's no star vehicle. It is suitable for the kids, but I doubt they'd like it. Overall, decent movie.
