Reviewed by: mrblue Date: 08/02/2010 Another entry in the long line of Hong Kong gambling films, Bet to Basic flirts with actually being a good movie at several points during its' running time. But ultimately, it tries to leverage too many laughs out of the same few lame chestnuts that weren't great to begin with, and loses the viewer in the process. Reviewer Score: 4

Reviewed by: j.crawford Date: 05/20/2007 Summary: imitation of good. They say that the sincerest form of flattery is imitation; whoever 'they' are. In the Hong Kong movie business, a feature film that garners any sort of box office success is sure to generate a rash of copycat projects. Bet to Basic copies all the good material from Wong Jing's popular Kung Fu Mahjong [2005], its sequel and borrows from every gambling themed film since the early 80's. Veteran producer Billy Chan Wui-Ngai gathers an eclectic, charming cast that, on paper, should provide some funny, entertaining performances. Screenwriter turned director Paul Chung Shing-Yuen gets tripped up on his first feature by his cast and his screenplay. With so many veteran actors to work with, Chung seems content to let Chin Kar-Lok, Jordan Chan, and Yuen Wah run wild with their improvisation skills. [español] Dicen que la forma más sincera de adulación es la imitación, y el que "ellos" son. En la industria del cine de Hong Kong, un largometraje que ha ido acumulando todo tipo de éxitos de taquilla está seguro de generar una ola de proyectos de imitación. Apuesta a las copias básicas todo el buen material de la popular Kung Fu Mahjong de Wong Jing [2005], su secuela y toma prestado de todas las películas de temática de los juegos de azar desde la década de los 80. Veterano productor Billy Chan Wui-Ngai reúne una, molde encanto ecléctico que, sobre el papel, deberá proporcionar algunos divertidos, espectáculos de entretenimiento. El guionista convertido en director Paul Chung Shing-Yuen consigue tropezó en su primer largometraje de su elenco y su guión. Con tantos actores veteranos que trabajar, Chung parece contento de dejar Chin Kar-Lok, Jordan Chan y Yuen Wah rienda suelta a sus habilidades de improvisación. [Deutsch] Sie sagen, dass die aufrichtigste Form der Schmeichelei Nachahmung ist, wer "sie" sind. Im Hong Kong Filmgeschäft, ist ein Spielfilm, der jede Art von Kassenerfolg erntet sicher einen Ausschlag von Nachahmer-Projekte zu generieren. Bet to Basic Kopien all das Gute, Material aus beliebten Kung Fu Wong Jing Mahjong [2005], dessen Fortsetzung und leiht sich von jedem Glücksspiel themed Film seit den frühen 80er Jahren. Veteran Produzent Billy Chan Wui-Ngai sammelt eine eklektische, charmante Besetzung, die auf dem Papier, ein paar lustige, unterhaltsame Aufführungen bieten sollte. Drehbuchautor drehte Regisseur Paul Chung Shing-Yuen auf seinen ersten Spielfilm wird von seiner Besetzung und sein Drehbuch ausgelöst. Bei so vielen erfahrenen Akteuren zu arbeiten, scheint Chung Inhalt zu lassen Chin Kar-Lok, Jordan Chan und Yuen Wah Lauf mit ihrem Improvisationstalent. Reviewer Score: 5

Reviewed by: STSH Date: 04/26/2006 Summary: They try hard A low rent and pale imitation of the highly successful God Of Gamblers franchise. The major restriction here is the light-on-laughs idiotic script. It is always a pleasure to see Jordan Chan and Yuen Wah on screen, no matter in what twaddle they appear. Jordan looks old and tired, and seriously looks as if he'd rather be somewhere else ...... anywhere else. He slouches through proceedings like he's just got out of bed. Despite this, there's still his wonderful deep voice, and even in this zombic state, he still has more screen charisma than many other HK actors I could name. Like most HK movies about mahjong, BTB plays to an audience who know the game inside out. I always feel a bit lost with long scenes featuring sets of tiles presented for two or three seconds, which the Hongkies in the audience grasp without hesitation. I learned that winning combinations include Self-Made, Purity and Heaven, but it didn't really help in following the proceedings. There are several very long scenes of game play, which will be a drag if you don't know the rules. Yuen Wah and the rest of the major actors really try hard. They go all-out to add fun and zest to the hopelessly lame script. The scene where Yuen and Eric Kot jive around in yellow and red afro wigs is an example. A really stupid idea animated by a couple of great old troopers. And for those who still can't get over their abiding hatred of Eric Kot (c'mon, out up your hands, guys), you'll experience a frisson of shadenfreuder (go look it up) as he is knocked to the ground then has the bejesus kicked out of him. The normally manic Kot is quite subdued in BTB, only resorting to his trademark irritating screech in one short moment, and his performance is pretty good. Samuel Pang is terrifically malevolent as Morpheus, and I was hoping to see more of his character on screen. Honestly, I think giving this movie 1.5 stars out of 5 is a bit too high. I tilted it that way because of the great cast who, for the most part, did their best with what they were given. What this movie desperately needed was Wong Jing. Love him or loathe him, Jing is the undisputed king of gambling movies. Just compare with the greatest gambling film ever made (God Of Gamblers Return), or even God Of Gamblers - The Early Stage (which also featured Jordan Chan). 'nuff said. Reviewer Score: 3