The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon

This had to be the best Chinese film I watch this year. The chasing fight was intense and brutal , powerful script writing that bring u in character changes. All cast superb in their acting. Bring a lot of memories when it's show the style of classic Hong Kong filming..Too bad this movie not well publize to some Country due to its sensitive content. Taiwan movie really improve year by year , willing to challenge all type of content. Its show to some movie maker u don't have to bring in traffic star or big production to make a good movie. This the only Chinese film I proud to show my foreigner friends in 2023.

This extremely entertaining Taiwanese neo-noir works both as a pitch-black comedy and as a slick action thriller.

Lone hitman Chen Kui-lin, the film's protagonist, enters the scene with swaggering charisma, murders a gangster, then proceeds to daringly escape from policemen through buildings and rooftops. All of this shot with plenty of energy and bravado. And that's just the first 15-20 minutes of the film.

Soon he learns he's got stage four lung cancer, news that, understandably, put him in a depressive mood. But then he finds out he's only the third most wanted criminal in Taiwan, so he sets out to eliminate his competition before time runs out.

The premise is promising and lets you know you're in for some premium east Asian fatalism. You know that mix of melancholy and unpredictable, extreme violence that permeated the works of, say, Kim Jee-woon or Park Hoon-jung? Couple that with some twisted humor and you've got a winner.

In fact, I've mentioned those directors because this film has distinct two halves, and the first one resembles A Bittersweet Life or Night in Paradise somewhat. Until the second hour, it's a crime thriller with bursts of solid action, polished to a fault. Then it turns into a contemplative drama that reveals the film's more spiritual, reflective side. But surprises are still in store for the viewer.

I love tonally uneven genre films and this one sure fits the bill. Some might not like how it swerves into so many directions before settling down, but I felt like it only added to its charm. Director Wong Ching-Po isn't new to this type of film (if you've seen Revenge: A Love Story, you'll have some indication about how this one turned out), and his script extracts some great performances from the actors. Ethan Juan, as a homicidal protagonist, and Yi-wen Chen, very memorable as a spiritual leader, are standouts.

In all, this is a technically polished, fantastically shot and scored crime thriller which offers more than just surface-level genre pleasures. It's also got a deeply cynical worldview and an aura of eccentricism that work in its favor. Big recommendation.

I've been a fan of Asian movies overall since I'm from the same region so I had my instinct saying to watch this as it would tickle my movie buff in me and it sure did.

The main character is a serial killer. It displays the world of crime and it is thrilling to The movie will keep you guessing from the start to the end. This movie is a story within itself. It starts out on a bang and ends on a bang too.

Acting and the cast has been brilliant on the movie. They have been hard at acting and don't let you down for a second. The soundtracks in the movie are so amazing. I love all of them especially the theme song "The New Creation" by Enno Cheng. Huge shoutout to all the people involved in the movie especially the musical department.

The only thing why i didn't rate it a perfect 10 is due to the fact that they dragged the cult religion segment more than needed. Other than that the movie is 10/10.

To those suggesting the film is from mainland China, it's important to clarify that, although I am from mainland China myself, this movie was entirely produced in Taiwan. The title may draw inspiration from a Chinese fable, but the creation is Taiwanese. It's crucial not to misattribute achievements or claim recognition undeservedly. Acknowledging our current position without misleading ourselves is vital. I've observed a significant increase in the quality of Taiwanese TV series and films recently, which meet international standards and indicate a thriving industry. In comparison, the market in mainland China faces different challenges. I greatly respect and admire the Taiwanese film industry for its distinct path and the quality it has achieved.

Oftentimes, I refer to IMDb for the reviews of the show before watching it.

True to its rating (7.5 at the time of writing), it's a show with depth. This is unlike other movies you've watched.

I liked that the synopsis provided an insight, yet not enough for you to expect what is to come for the show. I could not find any roles that had acted badly in the show, all the actors/actresses were befitting to their roles albeit small/big. Ethan has yet again showed that he's really the new blood.

The 140mins spent on the movie was really worth it. Catch it, you won't regret it.

It's laughable that someone had given 3/10.