3. The time Milkyway Image Company

1998

In Hero Never Dies

Co-producer with Wai Ka-Fai

With: Lay Leon Ming, Lau Ching-Wan, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai

First film of Johnnie To directed after his declarations about Patrick Yau. For memory, Johnnie To announced that he directed himself the three films of Patrick Yau: The Odd One Dies, The Longest Nite and Expect The Unexpected, in order to launch this young director. A Hero Never Dies can be seen as an attempt to prove him paternity on the three films. It is true that one finds the same disillusioned environment, the same photography, the same actors... But the scenario is not very good. A Hero Never Dies is a film for sadists where the heroes are tired and mutilated. One can think that it is a trickery, a meaningless movie... One can like too. The scenes of action are once again signed Yuen Bun.

  Note: * * *

  Available in dvd at Universe.

 

1999

Where a Good Man Goes

Co-producer with Wai Ka-Fai

Assistant director: Patrick Yau Tat-Chi

With: Lau Ching-Wan, Lay Yiu Cheung, Ruby Wong Hiu Yin, Chang Siu Yin, Lam Suet

First film of Johnnie To for this year 1999. Patrick Yau was only assistant director... One find again the style of the Milkyway , on the producton and the scenario (Yau Nai-Hoi and Milkyway Creative TEAM, according to an original story of Wai Ka-Fai). Where A Good Man Goes is apart from the last movies of Johnnie To, the woman has a great place in the intrigue. As in The Longest Nite , which he produced, it is Macau which is the background of the story. Distressing Macau, looking like "Third World" where the police officers are alone and do not hesitate to persecute the suspects (and their children!). Lau Ching- Wan is perfect. In spite of its qualities, Where A Good Man Goes would not be a success.

  Note: * * * 1/2

  Available in dvd at Mei Ah.

  

Running Out Of Time

Producer

With: Lau Ching-Wan, Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Today Siu-Hung, Ruby Wong, Lam Suet, Waise Lee Chi-Hung, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai.

Scenario : Yau Nai-Hoi, Laurent Courtiaud, Julien Carbon

Second film of Johnnie To for the Milkyway in this year 1999 and big success at the box office (success which due to the publicity using Andy Lau in multiple disguises : Andy Lau in person old, Andy Lau as a woman...). It is undeniable that it is the most original story of the last productions of Johnnie To. Maybe it is due to the contribution of the two former journalists of the review HK, Laurent Courtiaud and Julien Carbon, which worked on the scenario ? Running Out Of Time is a very ludic film : one goes step by step, without knowing too much about the story. This time, Andy Lau didn't refuse a good role.

  Note: * * * 1/2

  Available in dvd at Mei Ah.

 

The Mission

Producer

With: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Francis Ng Chun- yu, Jackie Lui Chung-yin, Roy Cheung Yiu-yeung, Lam Suet, Simon Yam Tat-wah, Wong Tin-lam, Ko Hung

Milkyway, at full speed, produced for the end of 1999 a film with a basic scenario (some will say "meaningless") which shines only by the excellence of its production and the very good set of its interpreters (Anthony Wong as a hairdresser!). The gunfights are very good (particularly in the supermarket) and one can discover lot of ideas (in addtion to this, one can see a Split-screens, that used by Brian de Palma on Scarface for example). To see for the setting in scene.

  Note: * * *

  Available in dvd at Mei Ah.

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Johnnie To actor

1991

Sisters of the World Unit

Director: Choi Mei Si

By-produced and Co-scenario written by Sylvia Chang Ai-Chia

With: Sylvia Chang Ai-Chia, Sally Yeh, John Sham Kin-fun, Derek Yee Tung-Sing, Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Kenny Bee, Chan Yuk Lin, Lau Guen Guen, Johnnie To Kei-Fung, Philip Chan Yan-Kin, Gam Gwok Leung

Sisters of the World Unite is the chronicle of the love sorrows of two sisters, one producer of videos, the other cooker (Sally Yeh and Sylvia Chang). It is the single experiment of actor of Johnnie To, for the moment, in a romantic and dramatic comedy which has good reputation.