Movie Digest
Following the biography of Ah Qing’s story, the story takes place six years before the story of ‘Gatao 2: Rise of the King’. The story follows Chi, who plans to document her last few moments in her town of North Fort before it becomes the urban redevelopment construction program. While doing so, she meets Qing at a party with many of the Gatao leaders and senators. As she slowly discovers another side of Qing, she also slowly falls in love with him. However, they soon start to realize that their love cannot exist in the wild and chaotic world of gangsters. Will their love prevail? Will they have their happy ending? How much is Qing willing to sacrifice to be with the girl he loves? Watch the movie and find out.
The Feel-Good Part
The film’s best feature is the romance and the chemistry between the leads. You genuinely believe that there is a love blossoming between the two leads, and their chemistry is undeniable. While the movie sets out to be a drama about gangsters, violence, and bad people, you end up staying for the romance and how beautiful it is. The main leads play an excellent job as a forbidden couple that can’t be together because of their situations. It is a journey of love wrapped in a thrilling crime drama.
The Disappointing Factor
While the romance within the movie becomes the best part of the film, the gangster part of the film becomes very predictable and flat. There is a lack of girth and heart to the dangerous part of the film, which often makes it feel very surface level. If you want to watch a movie with a beautiful love story of unrequited and perilous love, then this movie is perfect. But if you are looking for a gripping crime drama, this movie does not meet the mark.
In-Depth Analysis
Above all, Gatao: The Last Stray is a look at love blossoming in hopeless places. Qing and Qi love each other a lot, but their predicaments and the places where they are in life makes it difficult for them to do so. But if the love is strong, then nothing can get in their way. This film will make you look at love in a completely different light and make you appreciate it even more.
Star Power
The film is directed by Jui-Chih Chiang, otherwise known as Ray Jiang. His most famous works include the We Best Love series, Endless Love, Gatao 2: Rise of Kings, and so much more. The two leads of the film are played by Rexen Cheng and Nikki Hsieh. Both actors nail the chemistry and intensity that comes with their characters. Both of them give a stellar performance and are the highlight of the film from start to finish. Rexen Cheng has starred in several notable films and dramas such as The Silence of Om, Han Dan, Nina Wu, La Grande Chaumiere Violette, and so many more. Nikki Hsieh has also starred in notable films and dramas such as Memory Eclipse, It Started with a Kiss, Penguins at North Pole, and many more.
Overall Opinion
If you are looking for an intense mafia movie with high-octane action and a deep plot, then this movie is not for you. But if you are looking for a film about hopeless love and the fight to protect it, then this movie is worth checking out.
