Brandon Chiew
A theme grounded on contract killers has reaped its rewards
Nearly a week to reflect the assassin drama known as Death By Zero, and I can truly say it is an entertaining, engaging and nicely executed TVB drama. Words that is hard to associate with TVB dramas these days.
STORY
The plot revolving around Overbeck, a world of assassins was signs that Death By Zero was going to an unusual route but a refreshing and unique change. It centres around two of the greatest assassins to be in the game, Yim Mou (Wayne Lai), once the best, before a family tragedy not only led to his downfall but also ushered into a new era of the current best assassin in Zero/Kiu Sing (Moses Chan). Respectively, being a punk and a cafe owner as cover to protect their identities. Of course, female characters are just as important, Cash (Ali Lee), a single mum but cute, quirky and money-hungry comes into Zero's life but not what it seems to begin with before showcasing affection to one another. Haan (Elena Kong), Yim Mou's good friend, who always provides closure and comfort towards him in desperate times.
For the first 75% of the drama, sophisticated storytelling of what lies around the lives of assassins led to huge potential going from the previous episode to the next. With side stories sometimes can affect the overall theme, but in this instance, certainly did not. Zero, Yim Mou, Cash and Haan all had motivation and purpose to immerse and engage into fantastic storytelling. Whether it is Zero's purpose is avenging his brothers, Yim Mou wanting to reconcile with his long-lost daughter back to good terms or Cash doing everything she can to support both her mum and son, just them plot arcs was brilliantly accomplished. Into the finale week, some plot holes were left unanswered and from the beginning of episode 26 towards the end, it did slightly fall away from narrative. More scenes featuring both Zero and Yim Mou would've been nice to excel it even further. Thankfully, the final episode, showed restraint but in a good way, which delivered what was a touching and well thought out ending to pick up where it begun.
CHARACTERS
Two veterans in the business such as Moses and Wayne, always garner attention and for good reason. Both are able to sound so convincing when playing their part but also give that flair and charisma which is lacking in today's generation of actors and actresses. No drama would be complete without relationships but involving the main two, huge props to not only Zero & Cash/or should say Speed but also to Yim Mou and Haan. Both showed amazing chemistry in two different aspects, Zero & Cash displaying the humour and cuteness (sometimes Aegyo), and Yim Mou & Haan showcasing more of towards the emotional side. Can I just say, is there any role Ali Lee can not do? Like seriously, she is so versatile and can play any character given the opportunity. She is definitely TVB's best actress! As good as the main cast was, the support crew delivered mixed results. Dark Angel (Katy Kung), delivered her best performance but was a confusing character to read at times, the storyline involving Mun Mun (Kaman Kong) dragged for too long, Tet Yan (Jimmy Au) had potential but was a complete afterthought, Dino (Anthony Ho) tried his best but just doesn't seem to fit the antagonist role and the main villian Parker (Brian Tse), again a breakthrough but lack of story build up hurt his overall character. In contrast to Sum Sum (Samantha Ko), a temple keeper by day & a sweeper by night, a love interest of Zero and Cash's best friend showed her true capabilities. An honourable mention to both of Zero's and Yim Mou's respective agents Charlie Chan (Timothy Cheng) and Fong Taai (Helen Ma), showed great chemistry with their clients, especially Zero and Charlie Chan, such bromance between the two and always expect comedy between them.
SOUNDTRACK
Short but sweet, James Ng's track Unselfish who happens to play the role of Fung Sir, a cop investigating these matters, reminds of a superhero opening that hypes the audience into watching the episode, couldn't have thought of a better opening intro.
Again, Death By Zero is TVB's best drama of 2020 (so far), for its excellent showcase of surprise elements in enlightened storytelling, superior characterisations and style. But taking a risk in using sequences of events and the characters’ actions to tell the story, created consistency to the majority of Death By Zero really paid dividends and huge benefits came out of it. A difficult job knocking off the perch for upcoming TVB dramas of 2020.
STORY
The plot revolving around Overbeck, a world of assassins was signs that Death By Zero was going to an unusual route but a refreshing and unique change. It centres around two of the greatest assassins to be in the game, Yim Mou (Wayne Lai), once the best, before a family tragedy not only led to his downfall but also ushered into a new era of the current best assassin in Zero/Kiu Sing (Moses Chan). Respectively, being a punk and a cafe owner as cover to protect their identities. Of course, female characters are just as important, Cash (Ali Lee), a single mum but cute, quirky and money-hungry comes into Zero's life but not what it seems to begin with before showcasing affection to one another. Haan (Elena Kong), Yim Mou's good friend, who always provides closure and comfort towards him in desperate times.
For the first 75% of the drama, sophisticated storytelling of what lies around the lives of assassins led to huge potential going from the previous episode to the next. With side stories sometimes can affect the overall theme, but in this instance, certainly did not. Zero, Yim Mou, Cash and Haan all had motivation and purpose to immerse and engage into fantastic storytelling. Whether it is Zero's purpose is avenging his brothers, Yim Mou wanting to reconcile with his long-lost daughter back to good terms or Cash doing everything she can to support both her mum and son, just them plot arcs was brilliantly accomplished. Into the finale week, some plot holes were left unanswered and from the beginning of episode 26 towards the end, it did slightly fall away from narrative. More scenes featuring both Zero and Yim Mou would've been nice to excel it even further. Thankfully, the final episode, showed restraint but in a good way, which delivered what was a touching and well thought out ending to pick up where it begun.
CHARACTERS
Two veterans in the business such as Moses and Wayne, always garner attention and for good reason. Both are able to sound so convincing when playing their part but also give that flair and charisma which is lacking in today's generation of actors and actresses. No drama would be complete without relationships but involving the main two, huge props to not only Zero & Cash/or should say Speed but also to Yim Mou and Haan. Both showed amazing chemistry in two different aspects, Zero & Cash displaying the humour and cuteness (sometimes Aegyo), and Yim Mou & Haan showcasing more of towards the emotional side. Can I just say, is there any role Ali Lee can not do? Like seriously, she is so versatile and can play any character given the opportunity. She is definitely TVB's best actress! As good as the main cast was, the support crew delivered mixed results. Dark Angel (Katy Kung), delivered her best performance but was a confusing character to read at times, the storyline involving Mun Mun (Kaman Kong) dragged for too long, Tet Yan (Jimmy Au) had potential but was a complete afterthought, Dino (Anthony Ho) tried his best but just doesn't seem to fit the antagonist role and the main villian Parker (Brian Tse), again a breakthrough but lack of story build up hurt his overall character. In contrast to Sum Sum (Samantha Ko), a temple keeper by day & a sweeper by night, a love interest of Zero and Cash's best friend showed her true capabilities. An honourable mention to both of Zero's and Yim Mou's respective agents Charlie Chan (Timothy Cheng) and Fong Taai (Helen Ma), showed great chemistry with their clients, especially Zero and Charlie Chan, such bromance between the two and always expect comedy between them.
SOUNDTRACK
Short but sweet, James Ng's track Unselfish who happens to play the role of Fung Sir, a cop investigating these matters, reminds of a superhero opening that hypes the audience into watching the episode, couldn't have thought of a better opening intro.
Again, Death By Zero is TVB's best drama of 2020 (so far), for its excellent showcase of surprise elements in enlightened storytelling, superior characterisations and style. But taking a risk in using sequences of events and the characters’ actions to tell the story, created consistency to the majority of Death By Zero really paid dividends and huge benefits came out of it. A difficult job knocking off the perch for upcoming TVB dramas of 2020.
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