Reviewed by: jfierro Date: 12/21/1999 Maybe it was all these negative reviews, maybe it was because I was in a good mood, maybe it was because I am a sucker for these movies where slick con-men work with simple, naive characters. For whatever reason, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I liked it at least as much as MACK THE KNIFE and more than TWENTY SOMETHING, two other UFO efforts. It was funny, touching, and made it's point in a reasonable and not over-stated way. Not to mention that Jordan Chan gives a great performance as the simpleton who has no idea that he is being used as a pawn by everyone. Sure, some of the digs against the media were too bitter and calculated, and some of the overt symbolism was distracting, but this film works on many levels. My advice is not to concentrate on what the message is (not worth it) or on the characterization (it is weak), but just enjoy the ride.

Reviewed by: hktopten Date: 12/21/1999 For awhile now, the HK film industry has been in a depression, partially due to lack of originality and heart in a lot of work; but you can always count on UFO to do something entertaining to deliver a message -- that is, until now. In Heaven Can't Wait, the latest from UFO, the message is unclear, like much of the film. The story lacks focus and directions: it can't decide on rather focusing on the prodigal son bit with Tony Leung Chiu Wai or the savior of the world bit with Jordan Chan Siu Chun. Mr. Chan, who always shines in UFO films, appears to lack the skills and experiences to carry this film. The pleasant surprsie was Karen Mok Man Wai, whose stint as a selfish reporter was dead on. Otherwise, much like Da Da's followers in the film, this film is totally lost and clueless. Comparing to Mack the Knife, which did a much better job protraying evil realizing its evil ways and decided to change, this film is a dud. The most emotional scenes at the finale seems lacking. Overall, a film that is worth a look, but not recommendable; one of the lesser efforts from UFO.

Reviewed by: shelly Date: 12/09/1999 Another typical UFO product: designed to appeal to sophisticatedurban professionals. Nicely made, but it tries to be too smart: too cleverly mapped out. There's no magic (in a movie ostensibly about religion, magic, fakery, credulity, and the ways these are exploited in a pressure-filled fin-de-siecle Hong Kong). It's not stirring, or affecting, or really funny (as Mack the Knife managed to be, intermittently): just sort of admirable. Good performances by Tony Leung and Jordan Chan, who once again gets to show of his physical screen magnetism. But things just don't light up. Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: kjohnson Date: 12/09/1999 Good but not great. Tony Leung and Jordan Chan are great, but I found the story unclear at times. The plot is about a con man (Tony) who hires a stooge (Jordan) to act as a religious media idol in order to compete with a former partner who's been outdoing him in the same business. Worth seeing.

Reviewed by: hkcinema Date: 12/08/1999 One of the more disappointing UFO products. Producer/director/screenwriter Lee Chi-Ngai tries to put too many things in one setting and in the process made the whole film perfunctory. The story might have improved if it's not constantly sidetracked by attempts at self-conscious sarcasm towards "negative influence of mass-media" and modern Chinese materialistic attitude towards magic (paying money for it). Despite good performances by the cast (particularly Jordan Chan as Dat-Dat in a role against his usual type), the leading characters are actually not very well-defined. The story took a decidedly bizarre twist after Dat-Dat's gnosis (as a result of saving the Tony character). At least this Moon Festival movie has a few clever takes on Chinese Moon symbolism and mythology. (6/10) [Reviewed by Christopher Fu]

Reviewed by: spinali Date: 12/08/1999 Summary: NULL Tony Leung (who's always had an uncanny ability to pick solid movie pro jects) here plays a con-man with none of the actor's success in life. With affluent New Agers willing to spend their disposable cash on magic crystals, tonics, and other snake oil concoctions; with the proliferation of cults, and an emotional climate as changable as the weather, it's almost too easy to cash in on latest fears and fads. Leung finds a borderline idiot on the streets (Jordan Chan) doing this Chinese Jesus imitation to panhandle; upon noting his uncanny resemblance to an obscure Chinese deity, the poor sod is dubbed Monk Da Da, and a series of escalating cons increase his net worth (and Leung's profits) from ten to a hundred million bucks over just a few weeks. By chance (or maybe not), several of his predictions, including a horserace and an impossible stock tip, actually come true. Soon, he thnks he can change the weather, or stop the sun from rising. While the movie starts off poorly, the satire gradually gets better and better. The final act of the film goes gleefullly over the top, as Chan's promoter decides to stage the monk's immolation on live TV, culminating with the monk's bequeathment of all spiritual authority to him. More than one person has claimed this to be the top HK satire ever. Maybe, maybe not; but it would take a little time for me to come up with a better one. (3.5/4) [Reviewed by Steve Spinali] Reviewer Score: 8