If you watch as many films as I do it's impossible to write reviews for all of them. But since I have made it my mission to review as many as I can in this lifetime I will at least share you some of my quick thoughts. Then perhaps at a later period I can come back to these and give you more on them.
So let me start with Wheels on Meals (1984).
genre: action, comedy, martial arts
This is an early Jackie Chan title I loved for many years and up until now always had considered a classic. While there are many elements in this that potentially could have made that true I think in hindsight it falls a little short.
Mainly when it comes to the action. If you view this purely as a comedy flick then perhaps you will have a better time with it. Perhaps this is the reason why I used to like it more than now. However that is one moment in this film that could and should be considered classic and that is the fight between Benny Urquidez and Jackie Chan in the finale. This sequence alone elevates the viewing experience considerably. It's always nice to see Yuen Biao, Sammo and Jackie together. And Lola Forner definitely is a good addition as the femme fatale.
I had purchased the Blu-Ray version of this film and I couldn't be more disappointed. It almost looked like it was transferred from a DVD and upscaled somewhat. But my version did appear to have been derived from a 2K source. It could very well be that the film itself was never shot properly. And there is a slight chance I might be spoiled since Police Story 3 was such an excellent copy and almost nothing can outshine that one. In that regard I should add that the image is clean and crisp.
Naturally this is a film I can recommend if you never have watched if before.
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genre: action, thriller, fantasy
So what can I say about The Story of Ricky that has not been said before?
Very little I am afraid. I can state though it's a very confusing film. A bad film for sure but often it's clear that is intentional. Although the film also takes itself too seriously which is not intentional. Regardless for the most parts it's very funny and entertaining. But I can't deny that I had expected more action wise.
The Story of Ricky is a good example where it is shown that the excessive use of blood and gore can be extremely entertaining. At the same time it also points out that blood and gore on their own also can be boring. See what I mean with how confusing this film is? For a supposed martial arts film there is very little martial arts in it. It's just brutal ridiculous violence and nothing else. I think had the film at least had some choreographed fights with the ludicrous effects it would have made much more of an impact. However that might expose the fact that this film probably was shot on a shoestring budget.
Just because it is based on a comic book doesn't mean the reference to a comic book is enough. You also need to show why a character is super powerful and invincible.
genre: drama, thriller, action, gun fu
Off the three films discussed here I think that A Company Man is the most convoluted and boring one. It pretends to be more than it actually is. The concept of the film was compelling and almost could have measured itself with the mythology created in John Wick. Except that film never forgot what it actually was. A Company Man takes itself far too seriously with a story that has been done to death. Only the way it plays out in the film is mostly uneventful. Some of the action is enjoyable. But there simply is not enough there to truly make it worth your while.
This is a prime example where pretension kills every enjoyment. Had it truly touched you or made you think of company life then perhaps I could have appreciated the satire. Had they bothered to crack a few jokes that is. It's all so minimal. Besides even if you are familiar with South Korean work culture there still is not enough there to truly make an impact.
Skip this one.
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