1985 Hong Kong film
Hong Kong Godfather is a 1985 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Wang Lung-wei, who also served as action director and appears in a supporting role, and starring Bryan Leung.
Plot
Mad Wai (Bryan Leung) is a former triad member who has retired from the underworld to raise his daughter after his wife died. When rival triad Jiaxi Lan (Wong Chun), who led a gang in Chinatown, Manhattan, decides to take over territories in East Tsim Sha Tsui belonging to Wai's former boss Han (Shih Kien), Lan manipulates Han's cowardly underling Rotten Chi (Shum Wai) to betray and kill his boss. Upon hearing the death, Wai vows to seek vengeance for Han. At this time, Lan also kidnaps Wai's daughter. Wai, alongside his old friends Playboy Lung (Norman Chu) and Sergeant Lam (Richard Cheung), engage in a bloody battle against Lan to avenge their former boss and save Wai's beloved daughter.
Reception
Critical
Hong Kong Godfather received generally positive reviews. Jean Lukitush of Kung Fu Cinema rated the film three and half stars out of five and gave a positive review praising its brutal and realistic action scenes and the performance of the cast.[1] Paul Taggart of Far East Films rated the three out of five stars and writes "Hong Kong Godfather keeps it straight and simple, offering bloody thrills with a cast and crew honed on kung fu movies smashing their way into the gangster arena."[2]
On the other hand, Roy Hrab of DVD Verdict gave the film a mixed review and writes "Gratuitous nudity, extreme violence, plentiful bloodletting, cheesy sets, even cheesier fashion, discount special effects, and lousy acting; it's all on display in Hong Kong Godfather, a Shaw Brothers production that makes for a fairly entertaining distraction."[3]
Box office
The film grossed HK$3,213,478 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run 27 October to 8 November 1985 in Hong Kong.[citation needed]
