Leofwine_draca ENTER THE PHOENIX is a lowbrow Hong Kong comedy about a youthful Triad who takes over his father's business; the only problem is that he's also gay, a situation which causes some consternation amid the conservative values of the Triad members. This film was written and directed by actor Stephen Fung, who also has a small role, and it's not as funny as his following year's HOUSE OF FURY. The humour is very broad and of the type that doesn't really translate well to non-Asian viewers. The main stars are fine but the comedy supporting actors quickly irritate with their constant mugging and gurning for the camera.Daniel Wu headlines the production and gives an assured turn, although I was disappointed to find out that Yuen Biao's role is a mere cameo. Jackie Chan and Nicholas Tse have other cameos. Chan Wai-Man is a welcome presence and not at all typecast as a Triad boss, while Karen Mok makes her presence felt too. The rest of the film is a mish-mash of exaggerated jokes, plenty of gay stereotypical humour, and some poorly-choreographed action bits.

yduric Well well, this waste of celluloid has probably been labeled 'gay-friendly', although the ONLY non-stereotyped element is that the character played by Daniel Wu can fight: oh, what a surprise it is, did he really think that this would redeem him for all the disgusting stereotypes he inserted in his so-called 'film', or did perhaps this no-brain sick head think that it was revolutionary to suggest that gay men are able to fight? Talking of these disgusting stereotypes, there are two that are particularly repulsive in this strong bias of a waste of celluloid: 1) a scene where a gay triad member puts his entire hand into a roasted pig's arse!!! 2) another scene where one of the female characters asks the character played by Daniel Wu: 'When did you first know you were gay?' and we see immediately an image of him as a child with a thermometer in his rectum!!! That clearly borders, or even fully is, ... pedophilia.Well, checking Stephen Fung's background, it comes as no surprise, since he started acting in 'Bishonen', another falsely 'gay-friendly' film, that of course ends badly: this was, I am sure, the only reason why he starred in this previous crap, because he probably thought, like a huge quantity of empty brains like his, that it couldn't be otherwise: since it ends badly, the general, good straight-laced morale was preserved, so contrarily to what many think, he wasn't putting his actor image at risk AT ALL.And it goes the same way in this commercial crap, since the so-holy disgusting venerated stereotypes are inserted and overused: I do therefore not acknowledge him as a director, but just as a lousy film cutter at best. Moreover, it should also be noted that in his next film, 'House of Fury' although it doesn't deal with homosexuality at all, he couldn't help himself inserting a gay stereotyped character.I, and I am sure, many viewers don't give a damn about his homophobic obsessions, and definitely wish that his career will be ruined one day: he deserves it far more than Edison Chen, whose only fault was to bring his computer to repair without erasing the photos of him having sex with actresses, that a bigot employee with no respect for private life at all, (After all, these women were all adults) and with a super straight-laced morale like Stephen fung's, was so eager to display to the view of the whole population of Hong Kong...

Anne Under It's not a simple task, giving this movie a review. Especially, I should add, because I've seen it right after seeing the movie "Bishonen", whose two stars are featured here as well, one even directs the movie.Keeping this in mind, you may not be as surprised to hear that I was greatly thankful for the movie. Whereas "Bishonen" broke my heart, this movie revived it, and it was no easy task.The plot starts with a face-off of the Triad's highest ranking members, which results in an accidental killing. Following this, said members swear not to harm one another any longer. However, a little boy is left an orphan, and he will seek to avenge his father later on.25 years later and the "Big Brother" is dying. He asks his second in command to bring back his son and make sure he takes over the crime organization. The son, however, is gay and not interested in the job. His straight roommate is. So the switching of roles begins.It's a light-hearted comedy which sets out to make fun of the usual clichés and does so extremely well. I think the moments dealing with the clichés are some of the best in the movie. At the same time, it also oozes with coolness during some scenes (the swearing of the new "Big Brother", the final action sequence at the end of the movie).Not all is perfect with this movie. Some jokes are a bit crude, some comic scenes are somewhat over-acted (the fake son crying at his father's funeral, for example) and the plot doesn't always make all that much sense. Still, it made me laugh out loud at times, it was also had touching moments that ran deep in a way a lot of serious dramas don't manage to, Daniel Wu's character - the real son of "Big Brother" - is interesting and wonderful, not to mention stereotype-breaking as a gay man you *would* want to head a Triad.Personally, I'd love to see a sequel, and that in itself says a lot. I even have the basic plot figured out, so I have no doubt it can (and should) be done.

buffylover1985 This movie rocks! * The jokes are genuinely funny, and have quite broad appeal. The action at the end is gloriously over the top and the performances are excellent. The plot is quite clever and irreverent. One of the most positive elements of the films is the portrayal of gay characters. Apart from one quite distasteful scene involving a doctors checkup the gay characters are presented as real people not stereotypes and can even kick butt if the need arises. Hollywood take note this is how it should be done . ****/*****