Ah Boys to Men(新兵正传) is a two part comedy film about army life showing in cinemas in the year 2012&2013.It is in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence's 2012 NS45 campaign, From Fathers to Sons,it is meant to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Singapore's National Service.Ah Boys to Men is the first local film to be released in two parts and the first to film in Pulau Tekong.
Movie Info:
Director:Jack Neo
Cast:Joshua Tan, Maxi Lin, Wang Weiliang, Noah Yap, Irene Ang, Richard Low
Genre:Comedy
Run Time:108 mins
Opens:8 Nov 2013
Rating:3/5
Part one of Ah Boys to Men opens with the Republic of Singapore apparently being under an immense terrorist attack, with iconic Singaporean landmarks (such as the Merlion and the Esplanade) coming under fire and many civilians killed brutally. It is later revealed that the war was fictitious setting of a war-based role-playing game played by Ken Chow (Joshua Tan), a rich and spoiled child reluctant to enlist into National Service. Ken plans to study abroad with his girlfriend Amy (Qiu Qiu), but his plans are derailed by NS. As Ken leaves the gaming centre, his girlfriend chides him for his childishness. In a bid to prove his bravery, Ken kicks a rubbish bin, to be apprehended by two policemen in the vicinity, as his girlfriend walks away, disappointed and embarrassed. Back home, after being driven back by his father (Richard Low), Ken confides to his parents about his fears of National Service. His overprotective mother (Irene Ang) decides to help him think of ways to defer, but to no avail. Eventually, they are all forced to face the hard truth - there is no going against the law. The Chow family sadly send off Ken on the day of his enlisting. Thereafter, Ken and a few other recruits are assigned to Ninja Company (Platoon 2, Section 2) and are sent to their bunk and introduced to their Platoon Sergeant (Tosh Zhang), a portrayal of the tough-nails sergeant stereotype. Whilst waiting for the mandatory haircut, Ken gets to know a few people - "Lobang" (Wang Wei Liang), Aloysius Jing Sia-lan [Sia-lan being a reference to a crude Hokkien slang term meaning extreme disgrace] (Maxi Lim) and "I.P. Man" (Noah Yap).
After a two weeks' worth of training, Ken and the other recruits are allowed to book out. A lavish party is thrown to celebrate Ken's return, but his mood is ruined when he is shown a photo of his girlfriend with another man. Ken angrily confronts her and demands that they meet, which she agrees to. She later admits that she has fallen for another man and dumps Ken on the highway. Determined to win her back, Ken devises a plan to escape from Pulau Tekong and send her off, for he feels she is merely just testing him. Ken stops drinking water, in hopes to get a heat stroke, for which he would be sent home for ten days; he takes the extra measure of sleeping under a ceiling-fan after dousing himself in cold water. However, he gets into a situation worse than expected and he is quickly sent off to a hospital after collapsing during training. Ken's father is alerted of his son's critical condition while in a company meeting. He quickly drives off to the hospital, but the shock and strain is too much and suffers a heart attack while driving and violently collides with another vehicle.
Ken wakes up in the next scene, surrounded by his two sisters, in a hospital ward. He realises his foolish actions have caused much trouble for many people and cannot bear to face his father, who has survived the car crash and is recuperating in another ward in the same hospital. Awakened to reality, Ken is finally fit enough to go back to training. The episode ends at this junction, and snippets of the next episode are shown.
Movie Info:
Director:Jack Neo
Cast:Joshua Tan, Maxi Lin, Wang Weiliang, Noah Yap, Irene Ang, Richard Low
Genre:Comedy
Run Time:113 mins
Opens:1 February 2013
Rating:4/5
I just watched Ah Boys To Men Part II just a few days ago on 5 Feb at GV Vivocity. Ah Boys to Men Part II movie is very touching and warm-hearted. I tear at the last part of the movie during the POP graduation ceremony scene. The movie is totally awesome! I would give it a 4/5 rating.
Do remember to support local films! :)
Ah Boys To Men Part I Story Plot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ah_Boys_to_Men