films seen
17
average score
3.26*
nationality
Macau - 52 years old
status
Alive and kicking
more info

Started out doing very gritty and edgy action films, but fell into the trap of making commercial, CG-heavy fantasy epics later on. His earlier films are by far the most interesting, but Cheang's entire oeuvre is worth digging through.

Movies


Limbo

Ji Chi
2021 / 118m - Hong Kong
Thriller, Crime
Limbo poster

After a decade of mediocre blockbusters, Pou-Soi Cheang returns with a vengeance. Limbo is a gritty police thriller, a sprawling update of the film noir genre that thrills from start to finish. The stark black and white cinematography and the incredible visual density are the star of the show here, aided by Kenji Kawai's moody soundtrack. The plot is intriguing too, the performances are on point and the pacing is perfect. I had already given up on Cheang, but with Limbo he shows that he still has it in him. A truly magnificent genre flick.

Dog Bite Dog

Gau Ngao Gau
2006 / 109m - Hong Kong
Action, Thriller
Dog Bite Dog poster

Cheang flexes his directorial muscles, offering great visuals, an impressive soundtrack and an interesting story that differentiates plenty from standard Hong Kong fare.

Shamo

2007 / 105m - Hong Kong
Action, Thriller
Shamo poster

Visually beautiful, with excellent use of sound, a charismatic and memorable lead, and an unconventionally ruthless story. Cheang is a real talent and proves himself again.


Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Jiu Long Cheng Zhai: Wei Cheng
2024 / 126m - Hong Kong
Action, Thriller
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In poster

Finally a movie about one of the most legendary and cinematic places Hong Kong has ever known (Kowloon City). And to make it even better, it is directed by Soi Cheang, one of the prime directors working in Hong Kong today. The film doesn't disappoint, with lush sets, amazing action scenes, and solid performances. It's an action spectacle of a magnitude that has been seen in Hong Kong for quite a while. Hopefully, this is the start of a new wave. And if not that, I'll be happy with one or two sequels.

Mad Fate

Ming'on
2023 / 108m - Hong Kong
Mystery, Crime
Mad Fate poster

Cheang's latest film is a tough one. People expecting him to continue his Limbo streak may be disappointed by the outcome, instead, it feels more like an ode to Johnnie To and Ka-Fai Wai (think Mad Detective). It's rooted in Hong Kong folklore, and it's a film that demands the audience to follow the characters into their display of madness. A unique score, slick and colorful cinematography, and a wild plot make this another Cheang classic. I wouldn't be surprised if this makes less of an impact internationally though, as it has these strong Hong Kong signature elements that traditionally don't travel well.

Accident

Yi Ngoi
2009 / 89m - Hong Kong
Thriller
Accident poster

Accident is a very good film. Not really excelling in anything particular, but strong and stylish in every department, forming a very solid and tight whole.

New Blood

Hyn Huet Ching Nin
2002 / 89m - Hong Kong
Horror
New Blood poster

Hyn Huet Ching Nin is a good place to start if you're interested in watching a Hong Kong horror flick. Maybe it's not really all that representative, but that's what makes it easier to digest.


Kill Zone 2

Saat Po Long 2
2015 / 120m - Hong Kong
Action, Thriller, Crime
3.5*/5.0*
Kill Zone 2 poster

Motorway

Che Sau
2012 / 90m - Hong Kong
Action, Crime
3.5*/5.0*
Motorway poster

Love Battlefield

Ai Zuozhan
2004 / 96m - Hong Kong
Romance, Action
3.5*/5.0*
Love Battlefield poster

Pou-Soi Cheang is one of the better genre film directors currently residing in Hong Kong. With highlights like Shamo, Yi Ngoi (Accident) and Gau Ngao Gau (Dog Bite Dog) the man has been establishing himself as a driving force behind the international recognition of Hong Kong cinema. Ai Zuozhan (Love Battlefield) is a slightly older Cheang that bears all the potential, but ever so slightly fails in its execution.

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Ai Zuozhan would've made a pretty good Milkyway (Johnnie To's production house) film I think. The desaturated visuals are classy, the story is a bit grittier than usual and holds a few solid surprises and there's enough police work going on to make it a thematic peer to a slew of other Milkyway productions. It's not really an action flick, rather a tense and dark thriller mixed with a dash of romance.

The problem is that Pou-Soi Cheang has a thing for melodrama. In more recent film he's learned to balance it out a bit more, but here he crosses the line of the acceptable a few times too often. The finale for example is an exhilarating 20 minute climax, only to be followed by a mushy and unnecessary scene that takes the bite out of the ending. Cheang always compensates with style and tension, but in the end it makes the film just a tad too uneven. It's definitely worth a watch though, just brace yourself for a few overly emotional scenes that really don't belong.


Hidden Heroes

Zhui Ji Ba Yue Shi Wu
2004 / 108m - Hong Kong
Comedy, Sci-fi
3.0*/5.0*
Hidden Heroes poster

The Death Curse

Goo Chak Sam Fong Fong
2003 / 86m - Hong Kong
Comedy, Horror, Thriller
3.0*/5.0*
The Death Curse poster

Horror Hotline... Big Head Monster

Hung Biu Hyn Sin Ji Daai Tau Gwaai Ang
2001 / 89m - Hong Kong
Horror
3.0*/5.0*
Horror Hotline... Big Head Monster poster

The Monkey King 3

Xi You Ji Zhi Nu Er Guo
2018 / 114m - China
Fantasy, Action, Adventure
2.5*/5.0*
The Monkey King 3 poster

Third entry in the Monkey King franchise. There's still way too much shoddy CG, the acting is mediocre and the fact that it found inspiration in Wonder Woman doesn't do it any favors either. But at least there are bits that are acceptable, which is a step up from previous entries.

Home Sweet Home

Gwai Muk
2005 / 98m - Hong Kong
Horror
2.5*/5.0*
Home Sweet Home poster

The Monkey King 2

Xi You Ji Zhi: Sun Wukong San Da Baigu Jing
2016 / 119m - China
Fantasy, Action, Adventure
1.0*/5.0*
The Monkey King 2 poster

The Monkey King

Xi You Ji: Da Nao Tian Gong
2014 / 90m - China
Action, Adventure
0.5*/5.0*
The Monkey King poster