Wo (Nick Cheung), a jovial man with a newborn baby and wife, has hardly settled in Macau - after years of being of the road - before some old skeletons find themselves patiently awaiting his arrival in a nearby courtyard. They are simultaneously hitmen, gang members of the same clan, childhood friends, and ruthless killers. A contradictory (almost unbelievably so) meshing of relations to Wo and his wife, Jin (Josie Ho).
"Exiled" has frenzied showdowns at every point; thus, satisfying the needs of the repeat action-film goer. But it also succeeds in those more interested in the softer, drama genre. Due to the complexiity of the relationships, this film is able to portray a truly difficult decision through men that are usually fleshed out solely through the use of sunglasses, trenchcoats, and guns. At first, it seems that Blaze (Anthony Won Chau Sang) and company are a result of this method of character development, but before the first act ends, we're well aware that there's more than meets the eye - though how much more is hard to say.
"Exiled" is a ultimately an action-packed test of what prevails above all others? Friendship? Money? Security? It answers the question superficially but, overall, it takes a decent stab at revealing the softer side to these Chinese gangsters - all while managing to have them, you know, keep it cool.
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