PROJECT GUTENBERG is another slick crime thriller from Hong Kong, one that suffers from a bloated running time and a little too much in the way of non-action. The complex, occasionally confused storyline turns out to be a straightforward riff on that of THE USUAL SUSPECTS, albeit with a background in the world of forgery and counterfeiting. It's the counterfeiting aspects which prove to be the most interesting and original aspects of the production, adding to freshness to an otherwise familiar premise. The other strength is the cast, all of whom do well in complex character roles with a focus on depth. Aaron Kwok is the seemingly victimised protagonist, while Chow Yun-Fat plays a real tough guy character with both charm and menace. It's not an action-packed movie, but there's one incredible shoot-out in the Golden Triangle made as a homage to Yun-Fat's KILLER days, and it's a real highlight.

Not being prejudiced but since I don't know many of good Chinese movies this one is for once a good action movie with an excellent cast. The story might be déjà-vu but nonetheless it's an entertaining movie with a fair amount of twists and turns, some good action scenes, and for a movie of this length never boring moments. In China they counterfeit about anything they want and watching them counterfeiting the American dollar is an interesting story to watch. Chow Yen Fa is the most famous actor of the cast, at least to us occidentals, but the rest of the cast did also a good job with their characters. For once a Hong Kong production that felt right, without any overacting like we're sometimes used to when it's an Asian movie.

It is ironic that a movie about counterfeiters is itself a replica of an American film. The plot is different, but the idea is basically the same. If you want to be surprised (even though I've seen where it was going since the very start) stop reading reviews now, because some people did not refrain themselves from naming the film I am talking about and then the only pleasure is the rundown of film which, frankly, is too long and bland. You might say it's a character piece, with two very good Chinese actors doing their best in a what is a pretty banal movie. If you are looking for the great visuals of Crouching Tiger or the heavy action in The Corruptor you are going to be disappointed. It's an entertaining film, though, without being anything over average.