Directed by Ip Kam Hung (1999)

Starring: Eric Tsang, Nic Tse, Terence Yin, Sandra Ng, Chan Wai Man

The first UFO film since Anna Magdelena (1998), but produced by Media Asia and it does have a different feel to it than previous UFO productions. Having said that, Metada is a very enjoyable picture from start to finish. The marketing campaign was tantalising, showcasing the impressive array of cameos that pop up relentlessly throughout – Sam Lee, Stephen Fung, Hsu Chi, Kelly Chan, Cheung Tat Ming, Vincent Kuk, Anthony Wong…. the list goes on.

Eric Tsang is Mountain Leopard, who leaves Brazil after 30 years for Hong Kong, apparently to kill Nine Dragons, who stole his woman before he left for Brazil. He encounters Smokey (Nic Tse), a young street punk and enlists his help for the search of Nine Dragons and the girl. Smokey is own his own search, to find his father. His mother was a whore on Temple Street and Smokey’s dad was one of her tricks. All she remembers is that he was a cop and she sits on Temple Street each day, hoping he may pass again. You have to laugh really! Anyway, Smokey agrees to help and they embark on their search, mainly by talking to old timers who were around in Mountain Leopard’s era. As they do so, Smokey discovers all is not as it seems and the Mountain Leopard is not the man he makes himself out to be. It doesn't stop there either.

A lot of work has gone into this picture and that is immediately obvious. The premise would suggest that it is a triad flick, but in fact it is more a romantic movie, without actually having interaction between two protagonists. It’s the storytelling element that provides this feeling and the picture is often focusing on someone’s version of a particular event. The main story is of Mountain Leopard’s rivalry with Nine Dragons, who are played in a ass whooping flashback sequence by Stephen Fung and Sam Lee respectively. Eric Tsang is solid as ever, and Nic Tse proves he is not the new Ekin Cheng by flexing some thespian talent. Now all he needs is a haircut and the comparisons can stop. He can give me Faye Wong while he’s at it. Some stylish camerawork is aided by a superb soundtrack, including the excellent Latino lick that played through the trailer. All in all, it’s winner. Look out for Kelly Chan, who makes up for her cardboard performance as the same character in Age of Miracles.