Fantasia '18 Film Review - Loi Bao

Tam ( Cuong Seven) has a charmed existence. He's doing what he loves working on a graphic novel project. Has an adoring wife Linh (Nha Phuong) who runs a successful restaurant and a precocious kid who is always asking questions and challenging adults. His fortunes change with he received a diagnosis of a terminal illness numbering his days. He turns to a long timefamily friend Uncle Ma (Hoang Son) who tells him about a medical procedure that is highly experimental but if successful could eradicate his illness. Tam agrees to the procedure, is cured and gains enhanced, strength, agility, fighting skills but also the side effect of cellular memory of the donor.

Tam takes these new powers out for a spin doing good deeds in the community gaining the moniker of local hero. He is living the actions of the main character in his graphic novel Loi Bao. But his actions bring public attention and the interest of underworld figures who were familiar with the skills of the donor now on public display. As they close in the stakes rise along with the risk for Tam and his family.

Director Victor Vu presents a superhero tale that is part free running, a sprinkling of pseudoscience topped with a big dose of hand to hand combat. Vu film is high on production quality. The sound department has all of their levels cranked as even a production car coming to a stop vertebrates around the theatre. The fighting scenes benefit from the contribution of Vincent Wang who has experience on Marvel and James Bond sets on his resume. Wang's influence stands out especially in the crisp tight quarters hand to hand combat sequences especially in the climactic fight in a river setting.

Loi Bao is an action film that has several workable parts but the end product just doesn't hang together properly. The narrative has some wild elements that the audience is willing to buy momentum is stunted by a needless subplot stirred up by exaggerated cellular memory feelings. If your a fan of parkour and willing to double down on action over the odd flawed plot point then this film is worth a look

** 1/2 Out of 4.

Loi Bao | Victor Vu | Vietnam | 2017 | 105 Minutes.

Tags: Graphic Artist, Graphic Novel, Terminal Illness, Transplant, Assassin, Organ Trafficking, Mask, Coffee Shop