30 Aug 2006

Initial D

Original Title: Tou Wenzi D

Director: Andrew Lau, Alan Ma

Language: Mandarin with English subtitles

Starring: Jay Chou, Anthony Wong, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, Anne Suzuki, Jordan Chan, Kenny Bee

Screening: 2005-06-28

The movie that's overtaken every other movie at the box-office
is the turbo-charged racing drama Initial D.


Based on the wildly popular Japanese manga of the same name, it
stars Prince of Pop Jay Chou as the moody son of a tofu seller (Anthony
Wong) who can execute racing drifts (a term used to describe a high-speed
corner turn) better than any speed demon in town.


No one knows about his excellent driving skills except his father.
Jay himself is too shy and introverted to show them off. But when
Jay is asked to race against Shawn Yue, Edison Chen and Jordan Chan
at various times, he takes up the challenge?No trophies for guessing
who reaches the finish line first.


Though you could see the twists and turns of the plot from miles
away, Initial D is still a very enjoyable popcorn movie.
It boasts adrenaline-pumping, fast and furious racing sequences.
And it is also peppered with silly humor — thanks mostly to
the antics of Chapman To, who plays Jay's best friend, and Anthony
as Jay's father.


To be honest, Jay is a rather wooden actor. The best — or
rather, the only — facial expression he is capable of is to
look moody. Shawn and Edison are equally one-dimensional. But then
again, no one expects any of them to be Tony Leung. We just expect
them to smirk and strut about, and make our engines go a little
faster.