End Game

The original version is still the best (Luck Key), The copy cat is always worst.

This movie entertained me . I found the general level of acting , script , action sequence and story line sufficiently intriguing .

However for me the ultimate joy of this movie was the presence and performance of maestro Andy Lau - while the story line/script and production on the whole may not have been exactly a grand production (not that it was meant to be ), there was sufficient platform for Andy's typical charistmatic personality and acting magic to spring forth , uplifting the movie to well above average .

Originally a Japanese comedy film released as 'Key of Life' in 2012. Then it was remade in 2016 by the Korean film industry as, 'Luck Key' and now 5 years later, forward to 2021, its China's turn to remake it as, 'End Game'. I am at odds to understand why it was deemed worthwhile to warrant three releases by three different nations? The story is not that impressive and the script lacks a comedic touch altogether but, I believe that is because this is a black comedy drama that would be served best as a purely live Theatre stage performance. It would have much more freedom to express both verbal and visual comedic expression. As a film its to restricted and hampered by less flexible rulings!

I love Andy Lau as an actor (I have done since I first saw him in film some 20 plus years ago) and he puts in a good, but subdued hands tied, performance. His costars are perfectly in balance with their roles but it just doesn't kick-start into top gear at all. In fact I found myself so bored with the first 15-20 minutes of the film that I almost stopped play (and I have never done that with an Andy Lau film...ever!). However it suddenly started to up the pace which helped keep my continued viewing but, it still had a lackluster flow to it...not a rubbishy film but rather a dragging its heels meander! Its a bit much when the star factors of a film turn out to be lighting, cinematography, camera work and editing.

Not the best film of the year and so I would hope we won't see another Asian country remaking it but, it could be worse I suppose...you could have some Hollywood idiot decide to give it a go, Oh HELL NO! Because we all know what happens when Hollywood tries to remake Asian films in a Western way, don't we?!

Superb performance by Andy Lau which is flawless that bring u to its character. This movie mostly reflect Andy lau acting career and HK movie Industry highest peak era. But many thing seems force to add into it out of logic.Xiao Yang too exaggerating acting and relationship with Wan Qian not very convincing in this movie.Andy Lau deserve a better script as his contribution to Movies industry. There still a lot of laughter in the theater.thank u for the memories, Andy Lau.

Comparing Japanese and Korean version, I would rank JP first then this Later Korean version. Main characters personalities sculpting is good, but storyline contains some minor problems. 1 star to Andy Lau, 4 stars to base storyline, 2 star to the laughter it brings in upcoming new year. 1 star to encourage Chinese comedians.