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Starring
:
Ronald
Cheng
Karena
Lam
Sam
Lee
Sammy
Leung
Kenny
Bee
Rain
Lee
Chan
Chi Hung
Cheung
Tat Ming
Ricky
Hui (cameo)
Law
Kar Ying (cameo)
Tats
Lau (cameo)
Producer
:
Vincent
Kok
Director
:
Vincent
Kok
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SUPER
MODEL (2004)
A.K.A.
- Supermodel
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
The
fashion industry remains so ripe for lampooning that it
provides rich material for film comedy; the self-importance
and pretensions of the models and designers lends itself
perfectly to a comic scenario. Ben Stiller enjoyed a partial
success with the enjoyable, but flawed 'Zoolander' while Hong
Kong's latest comedy star, Ronald Cheng, sets his targets on
the very same inspiration. 'Super Model' does owe a huge debt
to 'Zoolander', but tries to put a unique Chinese spin on the
production.
Mandom
(the outrageous coiffured Cheng) is at the pinnacle of his
field. Adored by rabid fans, elevated by his contemporaries,
Mandom is practically untouchable in the world of male
modelling. Two things conspire to end his dominance of the
fashion world: Firstly there's the gradual ascendancy of new
model Fantasy (Leung sporting a mullet from the depths of
hell); More worrying is a threatening letter Mandom receives
from a mysterious antagonist. To help him with the latter
challenge, the Hong Kong police assign young detective Karena
(Lam) to protect him and uncover who is behind the conspiracy.
Initially there is an expected friction between these two very
different professionals - the frivolity and banality of the
fashion world agitates Karena while Mandom is flustered by his
protector's lack of grooming. Karena follows Mandom and his
two best friends around as they engage in public events and
fashion shows, while also finding the time to make extended
visits to the beauty salons. As she finally sees beyond his
ostentatious facade, Karena sees the insecurities and humanity
within Mandom and (expectedly) the two fall in love. However,
the threatening letters return, Fantasy wins the lucrative
'Peking Duck' contract from Mandom and the supermodel now has
the onerous task of meeting Karena's grotesque Mainland
family.
Ronald
Cheng's career is on the rise after the success of 'Dragon
Loaded 2003' and this hugely popular hit. Combining some
of the grimaces of a young Chow Sing Chi with his own camp
persona, Cheng is a winning personality on screen. Despite my
misgivings about him, Cheng proves to be a natural comic with
a freakish countenance that transcends the language barrier.
Prancing around like a Chinese Marc Bolan, Cheng is excellent
as Mandom, clearly relishing the opportunity to be necessarily
over-the-top. Clothed in the most ludicrous attire ever to hit
the screens, Mandom makes Zoolander look like John Major and
eats up the screen with his larger-than-life characteristics.
The charming Karena Lam is suitably serious, acting as a
perfectly incongruous screen partner to Ronald Cheng and his
brand of cinematic insanity.
I
usually find myself criticising Vincent Kok's awkward
direction, but here he sets the tone and pace perfectly.
Unlike many of his productions, where things like consistency
are cast to one side, 'Super Model' has enough of a hook to
keep the viewer's interest despite its
relatively long running time. Kok doesn't interrupt Cheng's
energy with his own ideas of humour, but instead he lets his
star flourish in the lead role and help the audience forgive
the film for the unimportant blackmail storyline. Kok's only
real failing here is that he pays a little too much detail to
'Zoolander'; a few scenes and even more gags are guiltlessly
plagiarised from the Ben Stiller film. The fact is that 'Super
Model' has enough of a Chinese spine to make the imitation of
its Hollywood counterpart completely unnecessary and appear a
tad lazy. Vincent Kok's direction is far more reliable here
than it has been in many of his other big productions, so when
Kok has to steal major jokes from other films it is especially
pointless.
Despite
the constant reminder that 'Zoolander' is its influence,
'Super Model' manages to create its own identity and avoid
just becoming a pale imitation. The very Chinese moments of
humour - including Mandom's meeting with his future in-laws -
are among the film's funniest scenes, making use of the
localised brand of humour. 'Super Model' is also crammed full
of celebrity cameos, some brief, some extended. Kenny Bee's rejuvenation
continues with the former idol playing another cackling
villain, while its once again a pleasure to see Sam Lee tuning
into his comic side in a big local production. The most
surprising appearance - and probably the most enjoyable - is
Ricky Hui as the creaky 'King Of Models'; in his ten minutes
on screen, Hui is delightful despite looking quite ridiculous
in his outlandish outfit. The whole cast give the impression
that the film was as much fun to make as it was to watch.
'Super
Model' is, for the majority, a superior comedy that bursts
forth with copious amounts of energy and imagination. Ronald
Cheng perfects the art of being brash without becoming an
annoying presence and gives plenty of indication that Hong
Kong may have a new pretender to Chow Sing Chi's comic crown.
While many stars have been groomed as 'the new Chow Sing Chi',
Ronald Cheng is one of the few examples of a comedian who has
found his own style without just copying Chow. As his films
continue to succeed at the box-office, it would seem like
Ronald Cheng is here to stay. On the strength of this
entertaining feature, that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Rating:
  
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