mizmaus This movie fits to the formula of the genre (i.e. disco dancing triumph of the underdogs) but the setting in Singapore and the local color makes it special. Engaging performances and solid production values. I prefer not to recount the plot since the plot is obvious and has few surprises. What makes it interesting it the location specific components - the local dialect was authentic (per my limited knowledge), the subplot with the transgender brother added poignancy. I find this especially interesting as an example of global culture - what starts out as a US cultural icon (in fact an urban east coast cultural moment) spreads not only through the US but worldwide. Who'd have thunk it?

Lori S I checked this out from the library - I figured, what the heck, it's free, and I'll get a campy laugh from it. But the movie is in fact sweet & affectionate. OK so the guy playing Travolta who walks off the screen looks nothing like him & is actually doing a slightly Southern accent. The lead actor (playing Hock) looks a lot like Bruce Lee and turns out to be a good dancer as well as great at kung fu. Nobody has yet mentioned a minor subplot, of the idolized older brother - a med student who needs money for a sex-change operation. The father disavows the med student son in anger. The 70s costumes are good fun and I like the kid sister character who's hooked on romance novels. It reminded me in a way of "Strictly Ballroom" (a much better Baz Lehrman film than "Moulin Rouge" BTW!) And everybody's speaking quite good English - no terrible dubbing! So check this one out & enjoy.

spunkboy i saw this movie over the summer. then i saw saturday night fever for class. while not an exact remake, there are a lot of similarities between the two films. the brother that becomes the family pariah. the disco contest. room decor. but there are a couple of crucial differences that make seeing this movie worthwhile. if nothing else, the kung fu fight scene performed in disco attire.

Sean (risen_feenix) On it's own this film is as good as anything Hollywood puts out. But if you understand the dynamic that exists between Asian traditions and Western Cultural influence, like there is in Singapore, that pushes the story over the edge into the realm of great film. Most Americans (I am one, Irish and Norwegian, but aware of the situation there) won't appreciate the subtleties and the subtext, but it IS wonderful.