Against All: Quick Takes

It's nigh on impossible NOT to think of A Moment Of Romance as the inspiration for Andrew Lau's directing debut here. While the similarities are not always the same in terms of the romance structure, having main characters also into racing clearly cements the aim of the filmmakers here. Lacking heart and power that the enduring Andy Lau classic always will have, what we're left with in Against All is a hideously uncharismatic Nick Cheung (acquired from the Dorks "R" Us store apparently) and rarely is there sparks flying between him and Ng Suet Man. Lau also pads out the running time by at least 8 minutes due to song numbers for Ng, creating little MV's in the process.

Against All is not convincingly executed filmmaking but does possess some bearable traits, starting with the fact that Lau doesn't drench the film in cinematography tricks in favour of storytelling, which is something you see from time to time when directors of photography turns to directing. He also collaborates well with action director Tung Wai and the film has a fine amount of intense triad brawls, action and haunting violence. Danny Lee does done the cop role again (traffic cop actually) but plays more the protecting uncle. A role Lee is definitely very right for. Shing Fui On, James Ha, Wu Ma, Ha Ping and Barry Wong also appear.