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Starring
:
Charlene
Choi
Gillian
Chung
Ekin
Cheng
Edison
Chen
Anthony
Wong
Josie
Ho
Mickey
Hardt
Jackie
Chan (cameo)
Karen
Mok (cameo)
Action
:
Donnie
Yen
Producer
:
Carl
Cheung
Bey
Logan
Director
:
Dante
Lam
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THE
TWINS EFFECT (2003)
A.K.A.
- Vampire Effect
Reviewed
by Pat King
Charlene
Choi and Gillian Chung make up the hugely successful pop duo
Twins, and as the title 'The Twins Effect' suggests, this is
primarily a vehicle for them. This also features the first
Hong Kong outing for Swiss born Mickey Hardt. Raised in
Luxembourg, he was discovered by Donnie Yen while studying
acting in Berlin. Donnie then cast him in the first European
martial arts TV series 'Puma' for a German TV station in 1999.
Reeve
(Eking Cheng) is a member of the Anti-Vampire League who loses
his partner (who is also his love) in a battle with
arch-vampire Duke Delicates (Mickey Hardt). Reeve then takes
on Gypsy (Gillian Chung) as his new assistant as he returns to
Hong Kong. Helen (Charlene Choi) his sister however is not two
impressed when she comes home to find Gypsy in her bed. While
it becomes apparent that Gypsy is besotted with Reeve, Helen
is indulging in courtship with Kazak (Edison Chen). Kazak is
however a Prince of the vampire royalty who has had to flee
Eastern Europe as Duke Delicates has been taking the blood
essence from the royal vampires, as this is the key to opening
the book "Day for Night". A vampire opening this
book would result in him being able to walk freely in
daylight. Helen is oblivious to Kazak's disposition despite
his reluctance to eat in front of her and his aversion to
sunlight. Being royalty, Kazak refuses to “suck” blood.
But when Kazak and his attendant Prada (Anthony Wong) run out
of blood, and Kazak confesses to Helen his distinctiveness,
this does not faze her and she conspires to steal from the
hospital blood bank. However when Reeve discovers that his
sister is dating a vampire, he raids Kazak's den only to find
Duke Delicates who then uses Reeve an Prada as bait to lure
Kazak so he can extract his blood essence and open "Day
for Night". Helen, Gypsy and Kazak must team up to rescue
them.
'The
Twins Effect' is different in that it features European
vampires as opposed to the traditional Chinese hopping
vampires as seen in the classic 'Mr
Vampire'. This is much more akin to 'Buffy the Vampire
Slayer' and, as you might expect, 'The Twins Effect' is more
victorious in it's achievement. There are however no Taoist
rituals, no crosses, no garlic or solid silver weapons.
Piercing the heart or decapitating the head is sufficient to
kill these vampires and considering the lack of real martial
artists, the choreography is surprisingly intricate. The
opening 10 minute sequence would make a worthy climax and for
the duel between Charlene and Gillian, despite it being
obvious that neither are real martial artists, they really
give it their all so it still works and remains one of the
highlights of the film. Another notable sequence is the alley
way duel between Ekin and a vampire. Donnie Yen has handled
the action very well and has refrained from using some of his
more dubious techniques such as severe undercranking. If this
is just a taste of things to come then I look forward to his
future projects.
'The
Twins Effect' is not flawless however. The pacing is actually
quite uneven but despite this it remains absorbing which is a
credit to the energy and charm of the performers. Even Edison
Chen puts in an adequate performance. Anthony Wong however
exudes eminence but sadly his most amusing sequence involving
him being unable to protract his fangs while attempting to
"suck" a young woman is relegated to the end
credits. The special appearances by Jackie Chan and Karen Mok
don't really do anything to advance the story but are pleasing
all the same.
Despite
what flaws 'The Twins Effect' has, it never actually suffers
as a result of them as it always retains the viewers interest
and successfully juggles comedy, action and horror. The CGI is
of a high standard for a Hong Kong production and for the most
part is integrated well. It also has a fun catchy song during
the end credits sung by Jackie and Twins. If mere
entertainment is all you require from a film then 'The Twins
Effect' comes highly recommended. It might not win The Golden
Horse for best film, but it will stand up to repeated viewing.
Rating:
 
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