In the mood for a fun and funny battle of the sexes? Try "Men Suddenly in Black," a lighthearted screwball comedy/triad gangster spoof with a great ensemble cast. Eric Tsang (recently seen as the gangster boss in "Infernal Affairs") is the inspiration for a group of fellows who just want to let loose and have a little adulterous fun. The only problem is that their wives and girlfriends are constantly keeping an eye on them and thwarting their plans and schemes.
But one day the four women plan a short trip to Thailand. Opportunity! Time to make plans! The movie follows the men as they conspire to drink, skirt-chase, and engage in other male-bonding rituals while the girls are away. It seems that the poor guys just miss their bachelor days and gee, what the girls don't know won't hurt them, right? Oh, but the ladies are not stupid. Their suspicions peaked, they take us on a cat-and-mouse adventure as the guys try to stay one step ahead. Elaborate deceptions and near-misses ensue.
What makes this movie so enjoyable are the cast and the vignettes that the guys go through. The plan allows for each guy to engage his own separate pursuit while still allowing for episodes of group activity (such as a visit to a cyber sex café and a hotel room party). All this is intercut with the ladies planning their own traps for the guys.
And these vignettes are nothing short of hilarious. See the guys try to negotiate for better looking and more interested "dates" at the cyber café (and learn that what is advertised is not exactly what you get, especially when you are trying to do it on the cheap). In one especially inspired episode, the guys are almost caught by camera-wielding paparazzi (the last thing the guys need is to be on the evening news). The whole scene plays out as a spot-on send-up of a John Woo film. Slow motion flying through the air, and, well, I don't want to give it away, but when you see what they use instead of guns, I dare you not to laugh out loud.
Another funny episode involves "Ninth Uncle." It seems that in an earlier escapade, Ninth Uncle (played by Tony Leung Ka Fai, "The Lover"; Johnny To's "Election") took the fall when the girls showed up, thus allowing the other guys to make a clean getaway. Now he is a prisoner in his own home (his wife won't even allow him to read "porns," poor guy!). Very funny stuff here.
As I mentioned before, the cast is great. In addition to Tsang and Leung, the movie features Jordan Chan, Chapman To, Teresa Mo, Candy Lo, Tiffany Lee, and a number of cameos.
