Watch Once a Gangster

Once a Gangster is a 2010 Hong Kong crime comedy film directed by Felix Chong. Starring Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, and Alex Fong, the movie tells the story of a modern-day triad gang and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in. The movie opens with two triad brothers, Dragon (Ekin Cheng) and Tiger (Jordan Chan), being released from prison. As they make their way back to their old neighborhood, they find that the triad world has changed drastically in their absence. Younger and more reckless members have taken over, leaving the former leaders struggling to regain their footing.

Dragon, the more level-headed of the two, decides to go straight and earn an honest living. He opens up a restaurant with his soon-to-be-ex-wife (played by Candice Yu) and tries to distance himself from his past life. But Tiger, unable to adapt to life outside of the triad, decides to form his own gang in an attempt to reclaim his former glory.

Meanwhile, a new rival gang makes its presence known. Led by the manipulative Crazy Ball (played by Alex Fong), the rival gang engages in a turf war with Dragon's old gang. In an attempt to prevent bloodshed, Dragon and Tiger strike a deal with Crazy Ball to merge the two gangs together. But Crazy Ball's true motives are unclear, and the resulting partnership leads to a series of absurd misadventures.

Throughout the movie, Once a Gangster manages to balance gritty crime drama with lighthearted comedy. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The performances by the lead actors are particularly strong, with Ekin Cheng and Jordan Chan showcasing excellent chemistry as the two reformed triad brothers.

One standout aspect of the movie is its use of humor. The movie never shies away from poking fun at the ridiculousness of the triad world, and the humor is often used to undercut the tension of the more serious scenes. Even in the midst of a violent showdown, the movie manages to maintain a sense of levity and self-awareness.

Despite its comedic tone, the movie doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of the triad world. The violence is often shocking and visceral, and the movie doesn't sugarcoat the consequences of engaging in criminal activities. But at the same time, it also acknowledges the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty that exist within the triad world, making for a nuanced and complex portrayal of the criminal underworld.

Overall, Once a Gangster is an entertaining and well-crafted crime comedy that manages to balance humor and drama seamlessly. The performances by the lead actors are strong, and the movie's self-awareness and willingness to poke fun at itself make for a refreshing take on the crime genre. Whether you're a fan of Hong Kong cinema or simply looking for a fun and engaging movie, Once a Gangster is definitely worth checking out.

Once a Gangster is a 2010 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.