In 2007 one of Taiwan's underworld godfathers died. Chen Chi-li, one of the country's most controversial figures, died not from the stereotypical causes of his trade, but from pancreatic cancer at the age of 63. The funeral "reminds me of a mafia movie that Lawrence Chung covered in the Taiwanese media and was seen by law enforcement, a public event that glorified him as the hero of the crime lords. Of course, the splendor of the event was criticized by many politicians, but it also shows the deep connection between criminal organizations in Taiwanese society.
For obvious reasons, the story of the rise and fall of gangsters has been one of the endless inspiration for the film's medium. Characters like Chen Chi-li, the controversy over their public personas and the organizations they lead can also serve as the basis for other gangster epics like "Scarface" or "The Godfather". Given the story revolving around United Bamboo, Taiwan's most influential crime syndicate, it's easy to take these aspects of Martin Scorsese's films from their boss nicknamed "The Duck King" or "White Wolf ".
Taiwan's thriving film industry, however, does not turn a blind eye to this narrative opportunity. Following the commercial success of the first "Gatao" (2015), Cheng Kuo-Yen, who had already starred in the film, took over the directing duties and thus made his first appearance in the feature film. Yen is no stranger to crime, having spent 10 years in prison for kidnapping a drug dealer in 2002. The former child actor has once again turned his attention to the world of cinema, directing several short films and writing memories of his childhood. and his criminal life.
Ren (Wang Shih-hsien) is a small crew leader who manages an area of Taipei. Though ambitious and faithfully pursued by his men, his desire for growth is met with contempt by his boss, Gui (Jack Kao Kuo-hsin).
After his friend Jian (Collin Chou Siu-Lung) is released from prison, he has become an artificial man. With huge financial backing, he quickly surrounds himself with other gangsters, quickly rising in Taipei's criminal underworld. However, when he seeks help from Ren to be able to transport the drugs, his friend refuses his request. Unwilling to accept rejection, Jian tries to win the trust of his friends, but as his methods become more and more ruthless, the Taipei gang is on the brink of war.
When a dispute between Jian and Ren's former friends turns into a gang conflict that causes mutual harm, the differences between these two characters and their "family" are shown. In one of the film's most striking sequences, the narrative takes a break from the action and violence, replacing it with moments of sadness for those still struggling. Ren's men commemorate a friend who has died by burning some of his belongings in a large bonfire in the harbor. With money, clothes, and even a big BMW toy on fire, it's safe to say that audiences have reached some of the core of the film.
After all, "Gatao 2: Rise of the King" is an over-the-top movie that has been extended to operatic proportions. With larger-than-life characters comes some accumulation, in this case cars, money, sex and expensive clothes. The pumped-up hip-hop soundtrack provides a worthy audio canvas for these characters and their conflicts, all of which are never designed to last, but to explode asymmetrically.
Needless to say, Yao Hung-I's cinematography follows the principle of excess and accumulation. With most of the scenes taking place in the evenings, the film makes use of the lively and lively streets of the Taiwan capital and the expensive club surfaces that these people often have. Dynamically edited, "Gatao 2: Rise of the King" fits the image of the stereotypical gangster film, almost to the point of fusing the setting. One of the biggest aspects of this movie is the filming of the action sequences, the huge fights and the gun fights between Ren and Jian's old grandchildren.
Of course, as a gangster film dedicated to its narrative ancestors, "Gatao 2: Rise of the King" embraces familiar themes. Loyalty, brotherhood, and family determine the foundation of the movie script written by Jerry Sun Fa-Jun and Chang Wei-jin. With Wang Shih-hsien and Collin Chou Sui-lung as the film's two contrasting main characters, the story quickly forms two contrasting images of the topics mentioned above. While Ren surrounds himself with men who are more like extensions of his own family, in one scene Jian talks about loneliness in an ivory tower surrounded by men whose loyalty is determined by their salary. At the same time, as reviewer Kevin Ma points out, these guys spend very little time with their real families with actresses Cheng Kuo-yen with little to do. Yet, it might be fitting for this character to replace a family with feelings like ambition and anger, or corporate greed in Jian's case.
"Gatao 2: Rise of the King" may not reinvent the gangster genre, but it is a crafty and entertaining record. With good action sequences and good leads, this film seems to be aimed at a non-domestic audience, providing a more universal story. This story of high moods of ambition and revenge will probably catch the eyes of its viewers despite its weaknesses, yet aiming too high or showing ambition in the film industry will pay off in the end.
| Full Name: | Gatao 2: Rise of the King Full Movie Download HD print Torrent |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2018 |
| Language: | Mandarin |
| Quality: | 1080p |
| Genres: | Thriller. Drama |
| Format: | MP4 |
| Budget: | Unknown |
| Rating: | 6.1/10 |
| Country: | Taiwan |
| Time: | 127 min. |
| Director | Yen Cheng-Kuo |
| Writers: | Red Chang, Jerry Sun |
| Starring: | Collin Chou, Wang Shih-Hsien, Cheng Jen-Shuo |
| Size: | 1.5G |
| Release: | 14 February 2018 |