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Cast:
Ronald
Cheng
Stephy
Tang
Eric
Tsang
Sam
Lee
Cheung
Tat Ming
Lo
Ka Ying
Miriam
Yeung (cameo)
Jacky
Cheung (cameo)
Producer:
Vincent
Kok
Director:
Vincent
Kok
Score:
 
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DRAGON
LOADED 2003
AKA:
Dragon Loaded
Year:
2003 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
After
moments of comic promise with supporting roles in such films
as 'My
Lucky Star', Ronald Cheng finally confirmed his status as
a rising comic star of the future with the box-office success
of 'Dragon Loaded 2003'. Unlike some of his contemporaries -
particularly Nick Cheung - Cheng seems to have cemented this
promise by following up a surprise hit with other financially
impressive comedy films, honing his screen persona with each
one. 'Dragon Loaded 2003' still has enough of the attributes
that Cheng has since refined in his work and, therefore, is a
good indication of what potential viewers will make of his
future films.
Idle
layabout Dragon (Cheng) is more interested in flouncing
through Hong Kong's chic city with his friends rather than be
involved in his father's sportswear empire. When the future
heir is told to prove himself or face seeing his fortune
cut-off, he is forced to join the police force along with his
two best friends (Cheung Tat Ming, Sam Lee). On arrival,
Dragon is horrified to see how restrictive the police academy
is and he wilts under the disciplined training he is subjected
to. Desperate to leave, but aware of his father's demands,
Dragon and his cohorts decide to try every trick to get thrown
out of the academy and have their responsibilities lifted.
Their attempts are scuppered, however, by the superintendent's
promise to Dragon's father that the work-shy threesome
will finish their training. On top of this obstacle, Dragon
finds himself falling for a fellow trainee (Stephy Tang) and
resolves to prove his maturity to her. While his initial
approaches are rebuffed, a joint assignment for the pair is
the perfect opportunity for love to blossom.
'Dragon
Loaded 2003's shameless plundering of 'Police Academy' is so
bare-faced, it's difficult to know whether to admire it or
criticise it. Much, of course, depends on the potential
viewer's interest in the original. Nevertheless, what is more
obvious is that 'Dragon Loaded 2003' is rough around the
edges, lacking the kind of cohesion that keeps more successful
comedies consistently amusing. While Ronald Cheng's
personality explodes onto the screen without apology, the
surrounding areas i.e. storyline and script, are less
impressive. 'Police Academy' wasn't high art, but it took its
simple premise and kept it focused throughout the duration
without getting too bogged down in sub-plots. 'Dragon Loaded
2003' staggers erratically through its 100 minute running
time, only periodically hitting its comedic targets
successfully.
Though
Ronald Cheng's outrageous, cowardly demeanour is on full
display here, director Vincent Kok doesn't allow the character
the freedom to flourish that he deserves. 'Super Model' veered
drastically from the original storyline, but had enough wit
and whimsy in its incidental scenes to make the entire film
work. Kok wastes a storyline that has been rich pickings for
the genre in the past and, instead, relies on Cheng's energy;
though not necessarily a fault in itself (many of Chow Sing
Chi's earlier films have utilised their star to maximum
effect), it is problematic when there seems to be little
direction for the characters. There's a lack of invention in
the expected spoofs of popular films of the time - something
that Kok again has to take some blame for.
'Dragon
Loaded 2003' pales in comparison to 'Super
Model', though there are brief moments of promise that
shine through the pedestrian nature of the film. One
refreshing aspect is the chance to see Sam Lee and Cheung Tat
Ming appearing as Cheng's hopeless sidekicks; their dopey
mugging provides the manic energy of Ronald Cheng with able
support. The romance between Cheng and Stephy Tang is less
engaging though; it starts off sweetly, but is eventually
blocked by the fact that the characters are so incongruous.
'Dragon Loaded 2003' is a typical Hong Kong comedy with a
little injection of romance, but never rises above the
ordinary. Thankfully, Cheng's follow-up proved to be more
capable.
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