Reviewed by: mrblue Date: 05/10/2011 With 2002's The Wall, Marco Mak travels down the well-worn path of a gangster trying to go straight. The film's uninventive script and Mak's workmanlike direction don't break the mold for the genre, but solid performances from Jordan Chan and Patrick Tam end up making this movie still worth a viewing if you're not particularly picky and in the mood for some triad shenanigans. Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: j.crawford Date: 01/25/2006 Summary: Interesting Melodrama Uber-editor turned director Marco Mak helms interesting melodrama about 2 men defined by their very different roles in triad society. Jordan Chan and Patrick Tam are cast as the two men reunited after Chan serves a long prison sentence for a crime both committed as teenagers. The film is awash with metaphors and homoerotic undertones as Chan tries to live honestly while circumstances draw him back to the triad life where, of course, Tam is now a big boss. Based on a story by Simon Loui and the director, the tight, colorful screenplay is very well produced. The two lead actors have good chemistry and the supporting actors are well cast. Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: magic-8 Date: 09/12/2003 Summary: Wallflowers Marco Mak's "The Wall" is a tired, triad tale that doesn't pave any new ground or set any trends. What makes the movie tolerable is veteran actor Jordon Chan along with Mak's ability to get some good performances from the rest of the cast. Chan plays an ex-con trying to start a new life after being incarcerated for over a decade. All the typical cliches of attempting to go straight against the tide of old ties and associations in the criminal life are used throughout the movie. The lame script wasn't helped at all by the pedestian camera work and lazy direction. Patrick Tam is Chan's old childhood friend who has made a name for himself in the triads. At first Chan tries to avoid any dealings with his past, but cannot separate himself for long. The film's small budget proved that shoddy sets and unimaginative locales are limiting. There are several scenes where voices were looped in post production that clash with the synch sound work, in particular with Cherrie Ying, diminishing the production values. "The Wall" is passable entertainment, with a by-the-numbers script that telegraphs all of the major plot elements to the point of tedium. The film needed a jolt of energy, but never received any resuscitation from being choked by its own inertia. Mak needs to cut his teeth and be more daring, instead of just hitting "The Wall."

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy Date: 05/27/2003 Summary: Agree with Blue shadow Not a blockbuster but a good movie none the less. Great characters but the end was a little disappointing. not much action, a lot of good drama and the main theme of friendship. Worth a look!! 6.75/10

Reviewed by: 27jewels Date: 05/03/2003 Summary: Stay Away ! *DOA* To put it kindly, this movie was very disappointing. Jordan tries his best, but not even his talent could get a pulse and bring this film to life. Casting agents who continually sign up Patrick Tam as a "baddie" should be shot. He does not make a convincing baddie, let alone a boss? I'm sure if you hit him hard enough he would cry! He is bland, emotionless and would be better suited as an background extra. Cherrie Ying provides eye candy and little else in the form of acting.As much as I think Cherrie is absolutely HOT!, I would have gladly shot her to stop her crying near the final scene, it's truly pathetic. Had they cast better actors to support Jordan, I feel this could have been a great movie. If you see this movie at the shop, do yourself a favour and stay away, its Dead On Arrival.

Reviewed by: Blue_Shadow Date: 09/02/2002 Summary: A Story of Friendship... This is not a review of the storyline but more of my review on the film itself. Not a very exciting film to be honest and when I first saw it, I could tell it was no box-office material. However, it doesn't mean the film sucks and not worth watching. The Wall is a tragic story about friendship, loyalty as well as regret. Both leading men play their characters extremely well despite their characters' different backgrounds. While the genre of ex-triad-trying-to-start-anew is getting quite common nowadays in HK films, this film has a side-plot that exceeds others...Friendship. The story of friendship is very touching here. Cherrie Ying co-stars and is quite good, having to play a character who seems more older and more mature than she is in real life. But the guy who plays the bad guy (don't know his name) is really annoying! He has been getting a few bad-guy roles recently and it really pisses me off having to see his face all the time! His acting ain't too bad but it's something about his expressions that makes it tiring! By the way, he has some ugly guy working for him who seems like such an Ekin-wannabe...see if you guys who watch this film know who I'm talking about... The film has an excellent and touching themesong by Jordan Chan that really blends into the film's plot. In conclusion, I give it 6/10. The film's "dark" atmosphere makes it kind of dull but has quite a good and straight-forward storyline.