The Underdog Knight () is a 2008 Chinese action comedy film directed by Ding Sheng. It was Ding Sheng's second directorial effort, following A Storm in a Teacup (2000). A sequel, He-Man, was released in 2011.
Plot
Wang-tao, known by his nickname Lao-san, is a submarine chief in the People's Liberation Army who nearly drowns while saving a drowning comrade during a training exercise. His girlfriend Daffodil remains by his side as he recovers physically, but the effects of cerebral anoxia lead to progressive mental deterioration. He is discharged from service, but continues to pursue justice as a vigilante driven by the desire to be a good citizen for the nation.
Through his friendship with Smile, the son of a museum employee, Lao-san crosses paths with a gang of thieves led by the Hong Kong criminal Dragon attempting to steal the Dragon-Tongue, a 900-year-old spear from the Song dynasty. When the two are arrested together in an unrelated incident, they become friendly cellmates. Upon their release, Dragon uses Lao-san to unknowingly help him achieve his ends. A hostage situation in the museum provides an opportunity for Lao-san to prove himself a hero.
Cast
Liu Ye as Lao-san
Anthony Wong as Dragon
You Yong as Captain Jiang
Liu Yang as Cao
Yu Rongguang as Navy Officer
Ellen Chan as Nancy
Cao Hua as Wanted Man
Yi Jiang as Xiao Hai
Zheng Hong-tao as Smile
Zhao Yao-dong as Mr. Wu
Voltaire as French Collector
Yan Jian-hua as Museum Director
Liu Tao as Retard Convict
Reception
Reviewer Kozo of lovehkfilm.com wrote, "The Underdog Knight still works as minor entertainment, though some of that entertainment is unintentionally derived from the odd nature of the production. In addition to Anthony Wong and Ellen Chan, the film also features overacting from Otto Wong of HK boy band EO2. Producer Wong Jing's 'kitchen sink' filmmaking approach can be seen in the numerous clichés (e.g., the barely-developed romantic conflict, the honorable bad guy, the friendship with the young boy). Also, as a Mainland production, the film occasionally serves up crass bits of patriotism. Ultimately, the best thing about The Underdog Knight is probably Liu Ye's intense performance as Wang Tao."
Reviewer Matthew Lee of Screen Anarchy wrote, "The Underdog Knight may not be the film that proves mainland cinema can still captivate a western audience, no reservations; it's nowhere near extrovert enough to pass for cut-rate Bruckheimer, like the flood of blockbuster action movies at the start of the Korean wave. At the same time it is definitely a big-screen matinee production, too flamboyant for arthouse purists – and yet it's frequently a captivating piece of work for all its faults. It's beautifully shot with some tremendous acting from its leads and it wants very much to be different, struggling with the restrictions surrounding its production at every turn, ending up something very distinctive, surprisingly open, even daring – a film it is debatable could ever have happened under a more conventional studio system. Far from perfect, undeniably hampered by circumstances, not for everyone, The Underdog Knight still comes highly recommended."
Reviewer Derek Elley of Variety wrote, "Though it’s a tricky sell beyond festivals and DVD, and doesn’t keep all its plates spinning at the same time, Ding Sheng’s 'The Underdog Knight' is one of the most original movies to come out of China in the past year. A genre-bending mix of psychodrama, action movie, black comedy and aspirational drama, this sophomore outing by writer-director Ding Sheng works primarily due to an utterly convinced perf by young actor Liu Ye as the wacko modern-day knight errant."