There was no shortage of various film production companies in Hong Kong during the golden age, and Galaxy Image was not necessarily the best developed among them, but it was undoubtedly the most special one. The label "Produced by the Galaxy, Must Be a Fine Product" may not be absolutely correct, but its balance between art and commerce is certainly not amazing.
Looking at the portfolio of films produced by Galaxy Image, it is not difficult to find a clear boundary between art films and commercial films, the two are clearly distinguished, on the one hand, there are "author films" with strong colors, and on the other hand, comedy romance films that obviously cater to the market, while Andy Lau usually appears in the latter, acting as a balance between the galaxy walking on the tightrope between business and art.
Galaxy relies on the high box office brought by the latter to support its continuous exploration of the former to achieve a virtuous circle, but there are always exceptions to everything, and this 1999 "Dark War" directed by Du Qifeng is this surprise accident, which has achieved great commercial success while expanding the narrative space of the former to strengthen the sense of fatalism.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-center-line" > sense of fatalism throughout</h1>
Speaking of galactic films, it is necessary to mention its discussion of fatalism, whether it is the interpretation of what kind of ending different behaviors will lead to in "The Birth of a Word", or the sudden gun battle at the end of "Very Sudden", all convey to the audience the fatalistic theory that life cannot be controlled, and everyone in the story is like a delicate doll in this grand game, with only the right to accept fate.
But the emergence of "Dark War" seems to have brought some changes, its story framework is indeed still limited to the established fate, Andy Lau only has four weeks of life left, he wants to complete the wish to avenge his father while fighting with Liu Qingyun, but no matter what the outcome, after four weeks he will go to the end of his life.
However, unlike other films in which the protagonist is dazed and ignorant of his own fate, and thinks that he is clever but falls into a well-arranged whirlpool, director Du Qifeng is obviously much milder in this film. Andy Lau has known his end from the beginning, but he is not afraid, does not escape or be negative, just accepts calmly and begins to actively complete his plan, and then waits alone for the day to end.
As the saying goes, "You never know which tomorrow or the unexpected will come first." Maybe there really is a certain sense of fate in this world, but so what, until that moment comes, we can still actively enjoy life and have our own precious memories.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" > unique settings for female characters</h1>
This film, which depicts a duel between two men, should have been devoid of any room for female characters. Because if it is forced to set, it will either weaken the tense stimulation of the duel between the two males, or it will be suppressed by the two males to lose their due flashes and charm.
Therefore, "Dark War" decided to do the opposite, simply creating a character with no name and only five lines (Meng Jiahui). She only appears after each confrontation between Andy Lau and Liu Qingyun, and her brief encounter with Andy Lau is like a sudden episode in life, although there is no verbal communication, but the ambiguous atmosphere of the undercurrent is enough to make the audience move.
But that's exactly what happens, and the more romantic it gets to start with, the harder it ends. His story with her begins on the bus and ends on the bus, a string of "fake" jewel necklaces, a "friend" who never appears again, perhaps in this race against fate, Andy Lau did not stand to the end, but who can say that he lost?
Such a romantic and gentle ending not only allowed Andy Lau to stay in the hearts of Liu Qingyun and Meng Jiahui, but also did not let him occupy a place in our hearts. Maybe he'll suddenly appear again and startle you?