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A new breed of gangland boss

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Vivienne Chow

You might have read a lot about Jiang-hu in the papers, or when you are surfing the internet. But what is this much-hyped star-studded blockbuster really like?

Let's take a look at the plot. Andy Lau Tak-wah plays underworld boss Hung. After the birth of Hung's son, his closest supporter, Left Hand, played by Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, urges him to retire. The same night, Hung learns that someone is trying to kill him.

Meanwhile, Yik (Shawn Yue Man-lok), a power-hungry young hooligan supported by his mate Turbo (Edison Chen Koon-hei), sets out to kill a gangster boss.

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The cast and theme make Jiang-hu the most likely success since the Infernal Affairs trilogy. But for some reason Jiang-hu doesn't seem to be everyone's cup of tea.

Its unusual story-telling style could be an obstacle to mass appeal.

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The film is independent director Wong Ching-po's commercial debut. Wong, whose previous works include Fubo, is best known for his ruthlessness and quirky story ideas.

His indie style still creeps into this supposedly mainstream blockbuster.

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