The storyline leading the audience to question who's the murder? The mysterious part was ok but the actress is so bad. Her look and acting just not fit the story at all. And it's so lame a half blind woman is almost unbreakable. Really lame and not convincing. But given it's a hk production, it's good enough comparing to other hk films.
5.6Plot summary
The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions. Insurance agent Sean is called to visit Tak and Ling's home to follow up on a life insurance policy. When he goes into the bathroom, he is shocked to see their son's corpse hanging above him. When he sees Tak's cold, emotion-less response to the child's death, Sean - a righteous and kind-hearted man dedicated to his job - begins to suspect Tak and Ling may have murdered his son for the insurance money. When the police conclude that there was no foul play at work and the insurance claim is approved, Sean decides to lead his own investigation instead. However, as Sean becomes obsessed over Tak's guilt, his kind nature is used against him by the real perpetrator. Sean begins to receive one disturbing threat after another at home, and the people around him are put in danger.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 1005.09 MB
1280*470
Chinese 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Good story bad acting
Reviewed by
Ruin the original
The story is based on Japanese novel and I love the story. I also watched the Korea version which is a good thriller. The HK version has made a lot of changes in casting and setting. One big error is about the actress's creepy appearance which completely destroying the turning point in the original work. Also, there is no sense of fear and horror. The director's shooting style is old fashion e.g. the actor seeing a big lobster monster creates laughable and weirdo atmosphere. Insurance agent, step-father and psychologist's overacting makes it worse. So directing, acting, cinematography don't come well all together!
Reviewed by
A walk on the dark side.....
Set in Hong Kong "Legally Declared Dead" is a glimpse into how the lure of money can attract the darkest and most desperate aspects of humanity.
I believe this its actually based on the work of a Japanese writer. Irrespective, its tale of how how money can realise the absolute worst aspects of human nature is universal.
Themes of psychosis, nihilism, inequality, entrenched criminality, addiction, betrayal, inhumanity and its converse, are all explored. A warning up front too. This is a deeply dark film. It pulls no punches and it is, by any standards, disturbing.
Its well paced, with a creepy menace that slowly intensifies as the film scuttles, slinks and slithers towards its troubling conclusion.
Acting is outstanding too, with believable characters that are sympathetic and at the other extreme, utterly abhorrent.
Perhaps its only downside is a lack of any real sense of hope. That said, sometimes what you see is what you get and what you get, may or may not be what you and others, might feel you deserve.
8/10.