Anthony Wong, Michelle Reis and Andy Lau conspire to save the world

Hong Kong goes sci-fi existential with this end-of-the-world mystery starring Andy Lau as Dr. Ken, a top scientist who gets targeted by a strange cult. Called “The Brotherhood of Technology,” they’re a secret cartel who have banded together because they believe that the end of the world is nigh. To validate their claims, the Brotherhood of Technology use spontaneous combustion to off the non-believers. Now it seems Dr. Ken is next on their list. Making things weirder is Dr. Ken’s dead girlfriend Michelle Reis, who pops up now and again in ghost form to confuse everyone. Of course, this is tied into the Brotherhood of Technology, which begs the question: are these crackpot Nostradamus wannabes correct?

This is a big budget flick that showcases HK’s current infatuation with the X-Files. Like Chris Carter’s popular TV show, this film delves into the unknown and the possibly mystical or spiritual. There are some interesting ideas behind the film, but it’s hardly original and the ending could be seen by some as a cop-out. Andy Lau does a credible job in a rather subdued role, but this sort of brooding introvert really isn't his strong suit. As usual, Michelle Reis is just scenery, but she’s scenery par excellence. Anthony Wong appears as the best friend/cop to Lau’s prettyboy scientist. If you start watching this film, you’ll most likely finish just to find out what’s going on. After that, judge for yourself whether the film does anything of real import. Only in Hong Kong could Andy Lau be chosen to decide the fate of the world. (Kozo 1997)