Johnnie To Kei-Fung, Wai Ka-Fai and Lau Ching-Wan collaborated again in "Mad Detective" (2007), which made a lot of fans full of expectations. Wai Ka-Fai used the theme of demon police to play a big role, and the detective Bun (played by Lau Ching-Wan) could see people's inner demons. Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai visualized this inner demon. In the film, it's a new attempt and breakthrough for similar films.
The storyline is meticulous and closely interwined. Although Wai Ka-Fai made it easier for the audience to understand, the dialogue and images were written quite plainly, not as difficult as "Running on Karma" (2003). However, the film's negative image of women has been criticized by many film critics and cultural authors. In addition, neither of them has put forward a reasonable discussion of this negative female image, which has become the only shortcoming of the film.
However, looking back at the film itself, whether it's Lau Ching-Wan, Andy On Chi-Kit and Lam Ka-Tung who played the demon policeman Ko Chi-Wai, as well as the actors who played the demon, especially Lam Suet, etc., and many actresses Lau Kam-Ling and Flora Chan Wai-San who have been on the screen for a long time, and actress Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei all performed well. Among them, the detective Bun played by Lau Ching-Wan cuts off his ears in the opening scene. Using Van Gogh to interpret the detective is a genius, and it also brings out the theme of multi-layered discussion in the film. In the end, the inspector Ho Ka-On, played by Andy On was unable to defeat his inner demon and became the handle of another demon policeman. It has Wai Ka-Fai's usual tragic mood, insight into the world and sad thoughts, which is thought-provoking.
From "Mad Detecive", we can see that the golden combination of Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai is indeed very valuable. The two parted ways for their own reasons, but the films they directed alone have major gains and losses, but this cooperation can be achieved.
By Kam Po LAM (original in Chinese)
The storyline is meticulous and closely interwined. Although Wai Ka-Fai made it easier for the audience to understand, the dialogue and images were written quite plainly, not as difficult as "Running on Karma" (2003). However, the film's negative image of women has been criticized by many film critics and cultural authors. In addition, neither of them has put forward a reasonable discussion of this negative female image, which has become the only shortcoming of the film.
However, looking back at the film itself, whether it's Lau Ching-Wan, Andy On Chi-Kit and Lam Ka-Tung who played the demon policeman Ko Chi-Wai, as well as the actors who played the demon, especially Lam Suet, etc., and many actresses Lau Kam-Ling and Flora Chan Wai-San who have been on the screen for a long time, and actress Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei all performed well. Among them, the detective Bun played by Lau Ching-Wan cuts off his ears in the opening scene. Using Van Gogh to interpret the detective is a genius, and it also brings out the theme of multi-layered discussion in the film. In the end, the inspector Ho Ka-On, played by Andy On was unable to defeat his inner demon and became the handle of another demon policeman. It has Wai Ka-Fai's usual tragic mood, insight into the world and sad thoughts, which is thought-provoking.
From "Mad Detecive", we can see that the golden combination of Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai is indeed very valuable. The two parted ways for their own reasons, but the films they directed alone have major gains and losses, but this cooperation can be achieved.
By Kam Po LAM (original in Chinese)