Cantonese: 98 Goo Waak Jai Lung Jaang Foo Dau

Mandarin: 98 Gu3 Huo4 Zi3 Long2 Zheng1 Hu3 Dou4

Literally: 98 Wise Guys: Dragon Contend with Tiger Fight [i.e. Battle of the Heavyweights]

Director: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Cast: Dior Cheng Yee-Kin, Mark Cheng Ho-Nam, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Hsu Chi (Shu Kei), Chin Kar-Lok, Paul Chun Pui, Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung, Jason Chu Wing-Tong, Sandra Ng Kwun-Yu, Vincent Wan Yeung-Ming, Alex Man Chi-Leung, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Wong Chi-Yeung, Lau Lan

Cameo Appearance: Billy Chow Bei-Lei, Simon Lui Yu-Yeung

Type: IIB

Not So Young and Not Very Dangerous would be a better title. Gone are the vitality and freshness that made the first three movies so exciting to watch. Even the lackluster fourth installment was better than this. Dior Cheng cannot carry the series on his own. Jordan Chan was sorely missed, as was Karen Mok, though it's doubtful even they could have saved a movie with such stale direction and convoluted script. Every scene seemed to contain a new plotline, most of which lead nowhere. The storyline had to do with Chan Ho Nam's attempt to stop being a street thug and start being a responsible branch chief.

The movie started out with a confrontation between Ho Nam and a new rascal in town, also named Ho Nam. Another newcomer is Danny Lee as a mainland cop now stationed in Hong Kong, who wants to bring them both down. This predictable but still fairly interesting plotline is dropped in favor of long, confusing scenes involving land development in Malaysia, a cruise ship, and a disagreement over minibuses. There is very little action until the end and by then it's too late. Danny Lee is wasted in his role, as is Mark Cheng as the "bad" Ho Nam. Chin Kar Lok is good in a potentially interesting role as a former Hung Hing boy trying to go straight, but again, the better plotlines in this movie are dropped in favor of the boring ones. Hsu Chi plays Dior's childlike new love interest. They have better chemistry than he and Michelle Reis in Y&D4 but their relationship is underdeveloped. Sandra Ng and Anthony Wong appear all too briefly and bring some badly needed fun to this mess.

Those new to the series may want to consider seeing previous installments. The creative team seems to be in cruise control on this one. If Young And Dangerous were a comic book, this would be one of those filler issues which is put out just to keep the series on schedule.

After the 4th sequel of Y&D, I wasn't sure if this one would be any good, considering Jordan Chan was missing from the plot. However, it was filled with many laughs (the famous magic trick performed by the cute Shu Kei), yet a touch of sadness. A special mention must go to Paul Chun-Pui, Sandra Ng Kwun-Yu, Wan Yeung-Ming and Jerry Lamb (who stole bits of the attention by kicking in with his lines) and Mark Cheng who played the Szeto Ho Nam, Dior's rival. This could actually be a comeback for Mark as the audience can see him in a new light. Mark, compared to Dior, had much more style as a "leader" of a triad group and his anger shows vividly with the expressions from his eyes (which can be noticed even behind the coloured shades) and the exaggerated clenched jaw. However, the ending was a bit weak as it is unreasonable how Dior can knock out muscle man Mark Cheng with one swift kick. It is suprising how Manfred Wong didn't manage to put all of the "Tung Sing" boys to death but I guess it left more of an opening for the next sequel since they like to re-use their characters. Basically, I think the strong characters are the ones who made this film enjoyable. They are so authentic that the audience may feel the growth of the characters as the sequels progress and may become attached to them.

It's recommended if you have watched the previous sequels and it actually gained my faith in watching the 6th one...if any ---

It’s 1998, and Mr. Chiang (Alex Man) takes Chan Ho Nam on a cruise around Hong Kong one day. The business-minded Hung Hing boss advises Chan to forego his usual street thug routine and adopt a more professional and business like manner. Chan considers the advice.

Cut to Chan’s bar in Causeway Bay. Officer Lee (Danny Lee), a mainland cop now in charge of the Causeway Bay district is being hassled by two prostitutes who think he is Chan Ho Nam. Pou Pee notices a gang behaving disorderly and goes to warn them. They are Tung Sing members (again) and they won’t leave. Chan Ho Nam appears to chase them out of the bar. But Tung Sing’s got a brand new leader, Szeto Ho Nam (Mark Cheng). Trouble almost started but Officer Lee stops them and gives them a warning. The crowd disperse and Lee asks for Chan’s cooperation.

Chan invites Pou Pee and Banana Skin for dim sum and they stumble upon an old friend named Big Head (Chin Kar Lok) who operates a newsstand. He is a former Hung Hing member, but went to jail as a scapegoat for Uncle Bee. They invite him to come along. He refuses at first. He tells them of his intention to start a fresh but Chan reminds him that the triad is involved in all walks of life in Hong Kong. Chan then asks him to rejoin Hung Hing. Big Head walks out on them. Chan asks his two buddies to keep an eye on Big Head.

Mr. Chiang invites the Hung Hing leaders, Chan, Sister Thirteen, Ben (these two’ve got something going)and Brother Key to join him in Malaysia. In a charity banquet in Kuala Lumpur, they meet a local businessman, Dato’ Chan Ka Nam (what is it with all these similar names?). The Dato’ immediately takes an immediate liking to Chan and invites him to join a business venture. Chan agrees.

Chan is also introduced to Uncle Seven, a powerful tycoon and his god-daughter, Mei Ling (Shu Qi) who performs a funny and memorable song. Chan and Mei Ling can’t stop staring at each other. The next night, Chan, Ben and Sister Thirteen were having dinner at a coffee shop and stumble into Mei Ling. She asks for Chan’s number.

Meanwhile, Big Head is being hassled by Tung Sing members who ask him for protection money. Banana Skin and some Hung Hing guys come to his rescue, but he told them to leave him alone.

Chan returns to Hong Kong. The Tung Sing members set Big Head’s stand aflame. Chan and gang catch up with him in the gym, training. Chan again invites him to rejoin Hung Hing. He finally agrees.

The Dato’ comes to Hong Kong and invites the Hung Hing leaders to join him in a party. A girl sings the song that Mei Ling sang in Kuala Lumpur and Chan smiles. He then gets a call. Its Mei Ling and she’s in Hong Kong but detained in a police station for carrying counterfeit greenbacks. Chan asks Ben to settle the bill. Ben, who has financial problems loans some dough from Sister Thirteen.

Chan picks up Mei Ling at the police station. The next day, he takes her, along with Pou Pee, Banana Skin and Big Head to see their grandmother (last seen in Y&D 3). Mei Ling demonstrates her magic skills to everyone’s amazement.

Chan takes them all out to a restaurant for the New Year’s Eve dinner but finds the restaurant full of Tung Sing members who refuse to budge. He calls Officer Lee. Szeto Ho Nam claims that Tung Sing members have the right to leave at anytime they want. Officer Lee unleashes his anger at them and chase them out of the restaurant.

The next day, Mei Ling returns to Malaysia. A few days later, Chan meets the Dato‘ and signs the agreement (which he does not understand). They then meet up at a party on the Dato’s yacht. Mei Ling is there with Uncle Seven. The Tung Sing guys also turn up. Chan hesitates but the Dato’ tells him that they are there on his invitation. According to him, they will sponsor a kickboxing match. Tung Sing sends their representative. Big Head volunteers himself to represent Hung Hing.

Chan catches Mei Ling cheating in the casino and reprimands her. Once the yacht returns to Hong Kong, the New Year celebration goes into full gear. Chan finds a newspaper article about a Malaysian investigator who was found murdered in Hong Kong. Commercial Crimes Bureau agents suddenly appear and arrest him and he realizes that the Dato’ has played him for a fool.

At the same time, Hung Hing and Tung Sing members clash at Lockhart Road and Banana Skin and a Tung Sing thug were arrested. Chan is bailed out by Officer Lee and they hear gunshots. The Tung Sing thug snatched a gun from an unsuspecting cop and kills Banana Skin.

Chan goes to see the Dato’ at his yacht. Szeto is also present. The Dato’ just laughs in his face and introduces Mei Ling as his accomplice. The shocked Chan just walked away.

Chan enlists the help of Tai Fei, who now runs a horse race guide publication. The day of the big fight, Tai Fei invites Brother Key and Ben to join him in his van as they watch the event. The Dato’s is being hassled by Tai Fei’s reporter during the press conference on allegations of fraud and other commercial crimes, which he denies. Mei Ling produces the Dato’s wife who further added to his frustration. Szeto abandons him.

The big fight starts. Szeto challenges Chan to a fist fight which Chan agrees. They retreat to the gym and beat each other’s guts out. Big Head wins his fight but Chan is losing his. Outside, Officer Lee and his men wait, which explains why Tai Fei asked his friends to join him in the van instead. Chan and Szeto goes on the ring and Chan gives Szeto a kick and he is out for the count. A riot ensues but is cut short by the cops.

Chan is victorious again. He kisses Mei Ling and they make up. She shows him a picture of her old boyfriend who looks exactly like Chan. All is well.