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Golden Job
Golden Job
from Wikipedia

Golden Job
Film poster
Traditional Chinese黃金兄弟
Simplified Chinese黄金兄弟
Hanyu PinyinHuáng Jīn Xiōng Dì
JyutpingWong4 Gam1 Hing1 Dai6
Directed byChin Ka-lok
Screenplay byKim Dong-kyu
Kwok Kin-lok
Erica Li
Heiward Mak
Produced byEric Tsang
Herman Peng
Sasaki Kyo
StarringEkin Cheng
Jordan Chan
Michael Tse
Chin Ka-lok
Jerry Lamb
CinematographyKenny Tse
Edmond Fung
Edited byWenders Li
Barfuss Hui
Music byChan Kwong-wing
Kay Chan
Production
companies
Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation
The Entertainer Production
Beijing Yao Yang Xin Ying Investment
Kwan's International
New Film Association
The Artists Co.
Distributed byIntercontinental Film Distributors (HK)
Release date
  • 20 September 2018 (2018-09-20)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguagesCantonese
Japanese
English
Hungarian
Box officeUS$47.3 million

Golden Job is a 2018 Hong Kong action film directed by Chin Ka-lok, who also stars in the film alongside Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Michael Tse and Jerry Lamb. The film was released in Hong Kong on 20 September 2018. Filming locations for Golden Job included Taiwan, Japan, Hungary, Montenegro, Beijing and Inner Mongolia.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Lion, Crater, Bill, Calm, and Mouse are five orphans adopted and mentored by Cho Sir, whom they refer to as Papa. The five of them grew up as sworn brothers and become mercenaries belonging to The Agency. One time, they orchestra a mission to steal a truck load of medicine from a pharmaceutical company to help African children. However, the truck turns out to be full of gold belonging to The Agency, which was a scheme set up by Bill. As Bill turns against the group, this eventually leads Lion imprisoned in Hungary and Cho crippled. After his release, Lion joins his brothers to settle their score with Bill.

Cast

[edit]

Golden Job reunited the cast from the Young and Dangerous film series, Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Michael Tse and Jerry Lamb, together.[2]

  • Ekin Cheng as Lion (獅王), the rational and calm leader of the group.
  • Jordan Chan as Crater (火山), the short-tempered, but skilled marksman of the group.
  • Michael Tse as Bill Leung, the traitor of the group, who is greedy, bitter, and refuses to acknowledge his mistakes. He schemes with Rice to steal gold.
  • Chin Ka-lok as Calm (淡定), the group's ace driver.
  • Jerry Lamb as Mouse (老鼠), the simple-minded tech expert of the group.
  • Phil Chang as Joe, deputy commissioner of The Agency who assists the group in location Bill and the missing gold.
  • Eric Tsang as Cho Sir (曹Sir), the adopted father and mentor of the five brothers, whom they refer to as Papa (阿爸).
  • Zhang Yamei as Lulu (璐璐), Cho's daughter
  • Yasuaki Kurata as Morimoto-San (森本), Cho's friend who resides in Fukuoka.
  • Charmaine Sheh as Dr. Zoey Chow (周醫生), Lion's girlfriend who is a Médecins Sans Frontières doctor working in Africa.
  • Sergej Onopko as Rick Rice, the group's former superior who schemes with Bill in stealing gold. He is later murdered by Bill after he insults him for betraying his brothers.
  • Billy Chow as Rice's main henchman who later works for Bill after the former was killed by Bill.
  • Alan Ng as Rice's Lead Henchman who constantly leads henchmen to eliminate the brothers.

Theme song

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter and notes the film's nostalgic and entertaining value and praises the film's tech and action choreography.[3] Edmund Lee of the South China Morning Post gave the film a score of 3/5 and calls it "a most contrived story that nevertheless entertains."[4] Carey Darling of the Houston Chronicle gave the film a score of 2 stars out of 5 and criticizes its predictability and lack of substance.[1] Andrew Saroch of Far East Films praises the film's set pieces and the casts' performances.[5]

Box office

[edit]

Golden Job grossed a total of US$47,279,677 worldwide, combining its box office gross from Hong Kong, China, United States and Australia.[6]

In Hong Kong, the film grossed s total of HK$10,888,179 during its theatrical run from 20 September to 29 October 2018.[7]

In China, the film grossed a total of ¥317,488,000.[8]

Accolades

[edit]
Ceremony Category Recipient Results
38th Hong Kong Film Awards[9] Best Action Choreography Chin Ka-lok Nominated
Best Original Film Score Chan Kwong-wing Nominated
Best Original Film Song Song: Bro (一起衝一起闖)

Composer: Chan Kwong-wing
Lyricist: Chan Kwong-wing, Fiona Fung, Jeffrey Chu
Singer: Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Michael Tse,
Chin Ka-lok, Jerry Lamb

Nominated
2nd Kongest Film Awards My Favorite Hong Kong Film Golden Job Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Golden Job (Chinese: 黃金兄弟) is a 2018 Hong Kong action film directed by and starring , alongside , , , and , in which a team of former mercenaries reunites to execute a high-stakes heist involving the theft of a truckload of from a foreign intelligence agency to aid a refugee camp in a war-torn region. The film blends elements of crime thriller and adventure, emphasizing explosive action sequences and international settings that evoke comparisons to franchises like and . Released on September 20, 2018, in , it marks a reunion for several actors from the popular 1990s film series Young and Dangerous, adding a layer of nostalgic appeal for audiences familiar with their earlier collaborations. Critically, Golden Job received mixed reviews, with an audience score of 31% on , praised for its over-the-top stunts and camaraderie among the leads but critiqued for a formulaic plot and uneven pacing. Despite this, it performed at the in its home market, grossing HK$10.89 million in and contributing to Chin Ka-lok's reputation as a versatile action choreographer and director in cinema. The movie's production involved practical effects and across multiple countries, highlighting the film's globe-trotting scope from urban heists to rugged terrains.

Plot

Lion, Crater, Bill, Calm, and Mouse are five orphans who were adopted and mentored by , whom they call Papa, and grew up as sworn brothers working as mercenaries for an agency. During a mission, they steal a they believe contains medicine for sick children in an African , but discover it is loaded with bars belonging to a foreign intelligence agency. Bill's betrayal causes the group to disband, leading to Lion's imprisonment in and Cho becoming crippled. After his release, Lion reunites with his surviving brothers to take revenge on Bill.

Cast

Production

Development

Golden Job originated as a project spearheaded by , who served as both director and co-writer, with production handled by New Film Association and The Entertainer Production Company. The film was formally announced at the , positioning it as an centered on a heist plot involving five soon-to-retire con artists who execute a high-stakes robbery during what begins as an innocent . The concept drew inspiration from the 1990s triad film series Young and Dangerous, aiming to reunite key cast members including , , , and to evoke nostalgia while exploring themes of brotherhood in a contemporary global action framework. Co-written by Chin alongside Cheung Chi-yin, Dong-kyu Kim, Erica Li, and Kwok Kin-lok, the script emphasized international heist dynamics, blending elements of camaraderie and among the protagonists raised in an and later trained as mercenaries. Key creative decisions during development focused on adapting the nostalgic triad undertones of Young and Dangerous into a modern heist narrative, prioritizing the ensemble's chemistry to underscore loyalty and redemption amid perilous international intrigue. The incorporated influences from global action tropes, tailoring them to highlight the group's unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardships.

Filming

Principal photography for Golden Job took place in 2018 across multiple international locations to capture the film's expansive heist storyline. Shooting occurred in for urban scenes, —including sites in such as Hozantei, Mangan-ji, and Minami-Oguni—for training sequences, , specifically , for interior heist routes, the in for the island fortress finale, and along with the deserts of for chase scenes. The action sequences were choreographed by director Chin Ka-lok, a veteran who coordinated the practical effects used in gunplay and stunts to emphasize realism and . Additional stunt direction for car action was handled by Chin Ka-lok's team, including Thomson Ng Hoi-tong. Production faced logistical challenges due to the international scope, requiring coordination across borders, while remote shoots in areas like Montenegro's coastal fortress and Inner Mongolia's deserts were impacted by variable weather conditions. On-site action and coordination were managed by Kwan's International Co., Ltd., one of the key production entities involved alongside Sparkle Roll Media Corporation and The Entertainer Production Co., Ltd.

Music

The original score for Golden Job was composed by , a veteran film composer known for his work on action-oriented projects. The film's official theme song, titled "Bromance" (also known as "Bro" or "一起來一起走"), was performed by the main cast members , , , , and . Composed by with lyrics by , Fiona Fung, and Jeffrey Chu, the track was released on August 20, 2018, ahead of the film's premiere. The full soundtrack album, Golden Job (Original Soundtrack), was released by Media Asia Music on October 19, 2018, featuring 18 tracks including the theme song in both and Mandarin versions, a 2018 rendition of the classic "Years of Friendship," and various instrumental cues such as "First Mission." The vocals for the theme song were recorded following and incorporated into the film's audio mix.

Release

Marketing and promotion

The marketing campaign for Golden Job emphasized the film's high-octane action and the nostalgic reunion of the core cast from the Young and Dangerous series, positioning it as a brotherhood heist thriller. The initial promotional trailer was released in late August 2018, showcasing intense gunfights, explosions, and the ensemble's camaraderie, with the cast performing the theme song "Bro" to evoke emotional ties. A subsequent full trailer followed in early September 2018, further highlighting the plot's heist and betrayals, distributed across platforms and to build early buzz. Posters and digital ads reinforced the "brotherhood" motif, featuring the five leads in tactical gear amid global locations like and . Promotional events centered on cast appearances to capitalize on their star power and fan loyalty. Press conferences were held in on September 17, 2018, where actors , , and others interacted with media, sharing anecdotes from production. merchandise included official soundtracks featuring the cast's theme song and collectible posters depicting the "golden brothers" in heroic poses, sold through theater chains and online retailers to extend the film's emotional appeal. Regional strategies tailored promotion to key markets. In mainland China, Weibo campaigns included giveaways for premiere tickets and behind-the-scenes content, to amplify reach among nostalgic audiences. Hong Kong efforts focused on Young and Dangerous references, with trailers and ads invoking the 1990s triad nostalgia to target local fans. Internationally, events extended to Malaysia and Taiwan screenings tied into broader Asian distribution. The theme song was prominently used in trailers for emotional hooks, underscoring the unbreakable bonds among the characters.

Distribution

The film premiered in on September 19, 2018, at a local theater, followed by a event attended by the principal including , , and . Golden Job received its wide theatrical release in on September 20, 2018, and in the next day on September 21, 2018. The rollout extended to limited international markets, including Southeast Asian territories such as and on September 20, 2018, and on September 21, 2018; it reached with a limited U.S. release on September 28, 2018. In Asian markets, distribution was managed by Golden Dragon Pictures Limited, while Well Go USA handled North American theatrical rights. Subtitled versions in English and other languages supported global accessibility in select territories. Home video distribution followed in early 2019, with Blu-ray and DVD editions released on April 9, 2019, by Well Go USA. As of 2025, the film is available on streaming platforms such as Prime Video.

Reception

Critical reception

Golden Job received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its action sequences and nostalgic appeal while criticizing its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. On , the film holds an average rating of 5.6 out of 10 based on over 1,500 user votes. Similarly, it scores 5.0 out of 10 on from approximately 50,000 ratings. Aggregator reports a 31% approval rating from six critics. Critics highlighted the film's energetic action choreography as a standout feature, with of The Hollywood Reporter noting that "the action sequences are the film’s strongest asset, delivering high-octane thrills." The stunts and gunplay were particularly commended for evoking the high-energy style of classic cinema, contributing to moments of genuine excitement despite the overall formulaic structure. However, the storytelling drew frequent complaints for lacking originality, as Cary Darling of the described it as "just a generic heist movie... the sum ends up being decidedly far less than its already predictable parts," tarnished by clichés borrowed from better films. The nostalgic reunion of the Young and Dangerous cast was a double-edged sword, appealing strongly to Hong Kong audiences familiar with the 1990s franchise but failing to innovate beyond homage. Edmund Lee of the observed that "fans of 1990s triad film series Young and Dangerous will feel a massive surge of nostalgia during Golden Job," which entertains through its contrived brotherhood theme, though it remains a disguised tribute laden with formulaic tropes. Character development was another weak point, with Kerr pointing out that the protagonists are "thinly sketched, lacking depth or development," prioritizing spectacle over emotional substance. Audience reception showed a divide from critics, with higher appreciation among fans driven by the Young and Dangerous fandom and nostalgia, leading to more favorable scores on platforms like despite the middling critical consensus. This word-of-mouth enthusiasm underscored the film's success in tapping into cultural sentiment, even as reviewers noted its convoluted plot undermined broader appeal.

Box office

Golden Job grossed $47.3 million worldwide upon its release. The majority of earnings came from China, where the film accumulated $45.8 million, equivalent to approximately ¥315 million. Released on September 21, 2018, it debuted strongly with $22.9 million over the opening weekend, capturing the top position at the Chinese box office due to the enduring popularity of its cast from the 1990s Young and Dangerous franchise. The film's theatrical run in China lasted five weeks, contributing significantly to its overall financial success. In , the September 20, 2018, release generated $1.12 million over its run, reflecting a more modest performance amid competition from other local productions. International markets beyond and added roughly $0.1 million, underscoring the film's limited appeal outside . Overall, the market proved pivotal in driving the film's financial success, with positive critical notes on its action sequences aiding attendance.

Accolades

AwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
38th Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Action Choreography, Ng Wing-lunNominated
38th Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Original Film ScoreNominated
38th Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Original Film Song"Bro (一起衝一起闖)" by (composer), Fiona Fung, Jeffrey Chu (lyricists), performed by , , , , Nominated
The 38th Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony was held on 14 April 2019.

References

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