Youth (2017)

bromance galore!!!

created an account just to leave a review for this amazing show so here goes...
1. the cast - every single one of them is adorable and their acting is amazing!! every single microexpression and look in their eyes conveys so much. this movie had so much potential to be cheesy because there are so many fight scenes but somehow everyone manages to exude that effortlessly cool aura. especially shi yuan ting, those biceps, seriously... and edward chen has that lean, cat-like grace that makes the two of them great contrasts against each other. and that brings me on to my favourite part: the bromance!! this is seriously a story about how a close male friendship develops, from the initial antagonism to eventual relying on each other. there were moments where you would go "is this a friendship or........" just because of how sexually-charged their interactions were (lol). some of the comments on the youtube video where this movie is fully available (w english subs!!) also mentioned this so it's not just me ok.
other than their looks/relationship the characters are p solid on their own; although they're gangsters they still have a code of chivalry which they stick to. wang hu (the transfer student) just wants to mind his own business and gets mixed up in the gang rivalry by accident, but in the end he still helps them out when they need help which is just!! like, he's such a nice guy?? even though he looks and acts and dresses like a thug?? what
there's a female character who seems quite badass but a little bit dumb. oh well. wish she had more of a role. haven't watched the 2nd part though so maybe she'll talk more there??? lol
2. the plot - although it isn't particularly deep or anything - sometimes they talk about the characters' post-high-school aspirations and then you remember "oh, they're just students not actual gangsters, i forgot lmao" - but there aren't really any other overarching themes other than loyalty and friendship, i think. but can i just say, if you understand even just a little bit of chinese this movie is EXTRA HILARIOUS. the contrast of the taiwanese accent (sprinkled with some hokkien) and the northeastern chinese accent is *chef's kiss* LOVE IT. esp in the beginning when they couldn't really understand each other lmaooooooo but even if you don't understand chinese it doesn't matter bc this movie is still crazy funn! there were scenes which were just comedy gold. won't spoil it but suffice to say you'll laugh. a lot.
overall - a nice feel good movie dealing with the development of a strong male friendship which i'd happily rewatch!!

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