Writer: Natalie Sia

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Watch this if you liked: "Marry A Rich Man", "Meet The Parents"

After working together to bring us the hugely successful, sold-out concerts from 2002 throughout 2005, this year sees Alan Tam and Hacken Lee collaborating once again. However, this time instead of a concert, they brought us a comedy. Well, anything with Alan Tam and Hacken Lee must be good!

"We Are Family" is about Zhijie (Hacken Lee) who wants to marry his stewardess girlfriend, Jinfeng (Hu Jing). After the eighth proposal, Jinfeng told Zhijie that to marry her, he has to first meet her eccentric family and get their blessings. A tough test and journey lies ahead for Zhijie, one that has chased away Jinfeng's previous five boyfriends. Can he make it?

First things first: Hacken Lee is without a doubt the eye candy in the movie. Just watching him is almost enough to make the two-hour movie a perfect experience. I say almost, because, somehow, even with Hacken Lee, the movie did not reach the perfect threshold. Amazingly, the movie was just... OK.

Using some of the formulaic clichés, "We Are Family" managed to have the audience in stitches. There were a few scenes that caused the viewers around me to roar out in laughter. And I do mean really roar out in laughter! As for the storyline - with so many movies made, I would guess that it is quite difficult to come out with an original plot that has not been used before. But then again, as I said, with Hacken Lee in it, all is not lost.

As much as I enjoyed watching him, I think Hacken Lee's acting could improve. He has done better in other movies before. Or perhaps it is because this is a romantic comedy, therefore not so much is expected of him. In any case, he was believable enough as the confident young man who thought he could brace anything and everything until he meets his girlfriend's family.

Alan Tam was another joy to see. Playing multiple roles, Tam had no problem distinguishing the characters from each other. Besides the other popular actors from Hong Kong like Leung Wing Chung and Law Koon Lan, audiences will also get to see Singaporean stars like Ng Hui and TV host Jeff Wong. Also, stay tuned for the cameo appearance of the best contractor in JB and Singapore. Don't play play!

Overall, "We Are Family" plays on some spoofs of other movies here and there - spoofs of "Once Upon A Time In China", "Fearless", "Meet The Fockers" and Marilyn Monroe just to name a few. Sometimes spoofs come off as lame and fails, but luckily for Hacken Lee and Alan Tam, the spoofs in this movie are pretty entertaining and funny.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008