Young and Dangerous 4 1997 Starring: Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin Jordan Chan Sui-Chun Michelle Reis Jerry Lam Hiu-Fung Roy Cheung Yui-Yeung Karen Mok Wan-Wei Michael Tse Tin-Wah Alex Man Jin-Leung Directed by: Andrew Lau Wei-Keung

Synopsis

This movie begins with the marriage of Yee ( Michael Tse) to his long time sweetheart. Everyone who is anyone in Hung Hing is at the wedding. Although Ho Nam (Ekin Cheng) is the best man, he laments to Chicken(Jordan Chan) that it should have been him marrying Smartie.

Yee goes off on his honeymoon to Thailand accompanied by Ho Nam and Chicken. They are off to a branch leader meeting called to persuade the brother of their deceased head Mr. Chiang( Alex Man) to be the new head of Hung Hing. He needs a bit of convincing because he is well off in Thailand.

Back in Hong Kong the branch leader of Tun Muen is killed in Ho Nam's club by Tiger Yui-Yeung (Roy Cheung)of Tung Sing. He hopes that this will spark problems between the branch leaders of Hung Hing so that he can muscle in on their territory. The leaders decide that the position must be filled as quickly as possible. There are two condidates for the position, Chicken and Dinasaur's second in command Barbarian. Barbarian is a local of Tuen Mun and so has much more support. He is also secretly supported by Tung Sing's Tiger Yuo- Yeung. Ho Nam really doesn't support Chicken's bid for power which strains their relationship.

Mr Chiang decides to use the time honored system of dividing Tuen Mun in half and letting each show that they can manage it. Chicken is out of his depth and before long there is widespread violence, betrayal and the inevitable death of just married Yee.

Meanwhile Wasabi (Karen Mok) is teaching High School, her class contains all the best triad youth. She also meets a naive, and beautiful teacher Yan Yan (Michelle Reis). Introduced to Yan Yan by Wasabi, Ho Nam starts a relationship with Yan Yan, but nothing comes of it, especially after she becomes aware of his true identity.

When Wasabi gets hurt, Yan Yan persuades Ho Nam to stand in for her. He finds that the young triad youth hold him in high esteem. Still missing Sai and dreaming of a normal life Ho Nam reminds them that once you begin triad life there is no turning back

In the final run down betweeen Barbarian and Chicken, Mr Chiang calls for a debate. Yui-Yeung tries to help the not so bright Barbarian put two sentences together. Unfortunately the girlfriend of his brother has a few things to say about his illegal activities. Yui-Yeung unable to control the situation shoots her and is surrounded quickly by the Hung Hing boys.

Ho Nam wants the opportunity to kick the butt of Yee's killer but he is thwarted by Fat Lai who has been betrayed. Mr Chiang awards the vacated branch leader positions to Tai Fei and Chicken respectively. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether all the death and mayhem was really worth the outcome.

Review

Young and Dangerous 4 is not as good Young and Dangerous 3 despite the fact that it has the same villian. Interestingly, no one seems to notice that Yui-Yeung looks just like Crow. Unfortunately, the plot is also recycled, from Young and Dangerous 2. Although this time it is Chicken rather than Ho Nam fighting for the leadership, the difficulties and violence are similar.

Ekin Cheng gives a solid performance as Chan Ho Nam. The loss of Smartie, and then Yee allowing a drunken frenzy and increasing depression as he tries to make a relationship with Yan Yan. It just isn't going to happen.

Michelle Reis is a beautiful actress and she does a good job of tempting Ho Nam with her looks. She also sets him up to instruct the youth of Hong Kong on the evils of becoming a triad members. Unfortunately, her character isn't developed and she adds little to the film.

Karen Mok proves why she is an actress and not a teacher, but still manages to give a spirited performance, being there for Chicken at his lowest ebb.

The increasingly interesting relationship between openly gay Sister 13 (Sandra Ng) and Ben Hom ( Ken Lo) proves to be an enduring one that supported it's own spin off "Portland Street Blues".

The directors try to give a critique through these movies on Hong Kong society on the verge of 1997. In fact Mr. Chiang blatantly cites 1997 as the only reason for taking over Hung Hing.

The characters are pushed into romantic comedy, family drama, and an overarching morality play all of which are sustained by fine perfirmances by the series main actors.

The movie is available on both vcd and dvd distributed by Mei Ah Laser.