Review by: Andrew Chan FCCA AACTA
Review Date: 17 March 2007
Released on DVD across Asia

Starring: Theresa Fu, Tsui Tin Yau, Amanda Lee, Steven Cheung, Toby Leung, Don Li
Directed by: Chin Man Kei

Wholly average and hampered by a stupid twist…

Sometimes you wonder why the hell the director had to include a stupid and lame twist at the end that is so predictable. It ruins an otherwise, immensely average flick that may actually be adequate with lower expectations. The flick is cultivated by crap and almost non-existent acting from almost the entire cast. When Theresa Fu and Tsui Tin Yau are considered as the best thing in the movie, both in terms of acting and steer presence, you probably already know the type of picture you are getting. However, the poor acting is given some sort of credibility by some quality producing and out of place cinematography from a little guy named, Andrew Lau (“Infernal Affairs”). Along with director, Chin Man Kei, whose body of works includes “Sex and Zen 2” and assistant director of “Infernal Affairs 3”, making this below average script into something that is extremely adequate and borderline average to endure.

As mentioned before, the best thing in the flick is probably the slightly above average acting from Theresa Fu and Tsui Tin Yau, as both performs in a far more relax manner than the entire cast of teens. In reality, it isn’t really saying much, as Steven Cheung was plain annoying, Don Li acted like a stone forced to love and perhaps with the exception of Toby Leung, who showed some sort of promise, getting through the acting of these lads, can be quite enduring. Needless to say, Theresa is somewhat pretty and is probably given her first ever slightly juicy role that requires her to at least do some acting. Surprisingly she performs adequately without exceeding expectations and likewise, Tsui Tin Yau shows some much needed promise that is so elusive from the entire cast.

To be honest, the premise of this movie is actually pretty stupid, but as mentioned before, full credit must be given to Andrew Lau for producing a flick that actually looked like a movie. There are strikingly well produced and well-shot sequences, but sometimes it makes you wonder, whether these sort of images is served better in a better material. There aren’t any memorable scenes to mention about, but it must be commented that the lighting of the toilets does provide a pretty good backdrop. It is unfortunate that Lau and Chin both fail to captialise on that.

All in all, “The Haunted School” is not only hampered by crap acting, but also a stupid and lame twist ending that is so predictable that it is not funny or shocking at all. All it does is leaving the audience from feeling mediocre to feeling stupid. As the saying goes, if the twist is not witty or smart, it is better off not ending with one. Lau and Chin make a terrible mistake, but with that being said, they still managed to turn around a crap script into something wholly average. It isn’t a big accomplishment, but at the very least it is better than this year’s House of Invisibles by a huge margin. Still, it is without doubt an underachievement from producer Lau and director Chin, as both have done far better work. Perhaps, Chin is far more suited in movies along the calibre of “Sex and Zen 2” than the teen horror genre… (Neo 2007)

I rate it 6/10

Review by: Andrew Chan (Neo) FCCA AACTA
Review Date: 2007
Re-edited: 25 September 2012

Charlene tries hard in an ultimately lacking flick. “Super Fans” is really an extremely light take on the issue of obsessive fans and the result is leaving the audience with a feeling of lacking in almost every department.

It’s been since the “Confession of Pain” that I have been at the cinemas for a Hong Kong film, but why I decided to venture again remains a mystery. Going to the counter, I did not know what movie was on and randomly he asked for whatever Hong Kong movie that is currently showing. The result is sitting in an almost empty cinema, embracing the antics of the alarmingly cute, Charlene Choi and the disappointing effort from director Eric Kot, who “once upon a time” directed a film that even Wong Kar Wai wanted to be associated with. It is a film with three acts and unfortunately the first act is bloody annoying and at times stretching to the point of boredom. Luckily, Kot realized the above flaw and set about redeeming the movie with a fine 2nd and 3rd act. However, the film is still too manufactured, too predictable and too cloying for the audience to buy into it. Perhaps the film is a direct comment about what happened to Andy Lau and his obsessive fan issues recently, but the social commentary never reaches those heights, nor does it seems to be aiming that direction.

No matter what, this is ultimately a film for Charlene Choi to showcase her ultra-cute acting antics. As mention in an earlier review, the Twins are better off separated. Once again, Charlene is more comfortable by herself. Here she jumps up and down, laughs like she always does, scream as though she is possessed and cry when she feels like it. The effect is pretty much a performance that we have all seen before and no matter how hard she tries, she offers nothing new, other than being adorably cute. Still, she is by far the only good thing that the film has to offer and carries the film for almost its entire duration. As for Leo Koo, his role of being a Mr. Nice Guy isn’t exactly something to boast about, but at the very least he is likeable enough. However, the casting of Sammy as the ultimate super star is both rather lame and stupid. Perhaps, Kot is commenting on the superficial natural of the Hong Kong entertainment in emphasizing how someone so shallow and hallow can still have so many obsessive fans. Nonetheless, the choice of Sammy is clearly a bad decision, as it adds to the unbelievable nature of the flick. After all, who in the right mind would claim that Sammy is cool and handsome. In fact, one that note, I am starting to feel the need to go to the toilet for some vomiting.

It is really saddening to witness how far Eric Kot has fallen by directing this flick. While he was so promising in a little film called – “First Love”, so much so that even Wong Kar Wai provided some finishing touches to it. However, in “Super Fans”, we can see no evidence of that former flair and the result is an non-adventurous and a shallow look at the entertainment industry problem of obsessive fans. Adding to the disappointment is an annoying cameo performance from Kot, an actor who have matured in the past two years with some quality supporting display.

All in all, “Super Fans” is really an extremely light take on the issue of obsessive fans and the result is leaving the audience with a feeling of lacking in almost every department. It is sad to that filmmakers nowadays will think of a good idea and then will go straight into filming the picture, without adequate prior planning. The casting of Sammy adds to the frustration and the first act remains quite boring. However, the film is saved by an outright trying performance from the ever energetic Charlene Choi and a somewhat redeeming 2nd and 3rd act. Still, at the very best the film is still average and thanks to the antics of Charlene Choi, this movie contains some enjoyable and fun scenes. With that being said, I used to be a Twins fan… (Neo 2007)

I rate it 6.25/10.