Content area
Full text
A dizzying and dazzling action-fantasy thriller from China’s Han Yan also showcases a slyly commanding Michael Douglas
‘Animal World’
Dir: Han Yan. China. 2018. 132 mins
A Chinese proverb warns that “a little gambling is soothing and relaxing; heavy gambling can affect your mental health”. The youthful protagonist of Animal World (Dongwu Shije), though, has little choice in the matter as regrettable circumstances force him to play an almost unbearably pressurised game of chance, causing buried personal demons to rise to the surface. It’s a scenario that is realised in extravagant fashion by writer-director Han Yan, whose heightened sensibility oscillates between dazzling and dizzying, often in the same elaborately designed sequence.
Animal World’s gaudily colorful aesthetic will certainly capture the attention of those who salivate at the prospect of outlandish Asian fare
A frenetic marketing campaign promising a Chinese spin on the contemporary action-fantasy fare that is usually the domain of Hollywood imports and the popularity of rising star Li Yifeng should make this manga-derived feature a box office winner locally, possibly kicking off a new franchise. Receiving a day-and-date limited international rollout on June 29, Animal World’s gaudily colorful aesthetic will certainly capture the attention of those who salivate at the prospect of outlandish Asian fare while the presence of Michael Douglas in a significant supporting role may pique further interest once Animal World