Is A Crooked Hit Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2021)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

In the evolving tapestry of Comedy cinema, the 2021 release of A Crooked Hit stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Zhao Dachuang, a film worker with a dream of making films, received an invitation from a mysterious investor to be a producer for a film. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Zhao Dachuang, a film worker with a dream of making films, received an invitation from a mysterious investor to be a producer for a film. Zhao is overjoyed and immediately puts together a messy film crew. But after the film starts, the prop warehouse is burgled in the middle of the night and Zhao finds out that the thief is the female lead Xiao Jing. She tells Zhao that the real purpose of the mysterious capitalist is to use the filming as a pretext to transport the three artifacts stolen from the museum, while she infiltrates the set to track down the culprit and recover the artifacts. A simple filming turns into a game of cat and mouse. Zhao Dachuang and Xiao Jing team up to fight with the prop master."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Zhou Yunpeng, the performance in A Crooked Hit feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Yang Xi is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 75 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is A Crooked Hit truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, A Crooked Hit explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2021 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Yang Xi respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, A Crooked Hit is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Zhou Yunpeng or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, A Crooked Hit is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.