Despite being the 67th Hong Kong triad film I have seen thus far, “Rebellion” is a surprisingly interesting production. Directed by insanely prolific director Herman Yau (this is his sixth film in the past 12 months), the movie combines a cute suspense storyline with surprisingly good acting from some non-actors (namely Paul Wong and Jun Kung). It’s just a shame Yau coudln’t control the pacing better, and main star Shawn Yue didn’t turn in a more solid performance.

“Rebellion” opens with triad leader Jimmy being shot and falling unconscious. He is one of five leaders of a clan who have been co-existing in an uneasy truce, and when he falls, the equilibrium is disrupted. Jimmy’s wife (Ada Choi) is in Taipei when he is shot, causing a power vacuum for a few hours at Jimmy’s camp before she returns. But when she gets back, she appoints Bo (Shawn Yue), Jimmy’s bodyguard but an otherwise low-ranking member, to take charge on her behalf, a move that makes Jimmy’s right-hand man, Black Water (Chapman To), more than a little angry. Meanwhile, Bo has to find the culprit behind Jimmy’s assassination—could it be one of his followers? Or was it one of the four other leaders of the clan, who are all claiming innocence while stealthily trying to gain power by framing rival members?

While “Rebellion” opens like a typical triad film (negotiations are always done in a mahjong room; the same old power struggle bullshit plays out in profanity-laced dialogues; Chapman To is present), the sudden change of pace while Bo searches for the killer turns it from tired triad to suspense story, making the film a lot more endurable, to the point that it actually keeps the audience guessing. A lot is owed to the actors playing the four leaders who, as mentioned, are not actors to start with. Kudos particularly to drummer Jun Kung, who surprisingly masters the role as a brash and dumb leader (his crazy hair helps a lot), while Paul Wong’s portrayal of a sex-maniac-slash-cunning leader is over the top but appropriate. My only problem with the acting is, unfortunately, with lead Shawn Yue’s performance. His unlikely hero is in fact drunk as shit, but that does not give him the excuse to just pull a straight, emotionless face for the entire film. Meanwhile his idea of playing tough is simply to yell his lines loudly. You would have thought a guy who has done half a dozen triad films would have gotten it right. Sadly, he misses the mark.

3/5 Stars by Winnie Yeung.

Hong Kong. Directed by Herman Yau. Starring Shawn Yue, Elanne Kong, Chapman To, Ada Choi. Category IIB, 100 minutes. Continuing.