"Double World" Review: Came for Henry Lau, Stayed For Action

"Double World" has been on my watchlist for weeks. I kept telling myself that I’ll get to it someday until I finally did. Honestly, I only pressed play because I had exhausted all the short movies I had downloaded and I needed something quick too. So it wasn't recommended and I didn't have too much expectations for it.

Why did I download a movie I left sitting for so long before I saw it? It wasn't because of the plot and definitely not because it's a Chinese movie (I'm not exactly a fan as much as I am of Korean, you know this already lol), it was because of Henry Lau. I rarely watch Chinese movies but Henry Lau? That was enough reason for me to.

If you’re a fan of Chinese fantasy-action films, this movie should be on your list today, and I’ll share my reasons. Of course, I'll start with Henry Lau as one reason, it's only fair that way right?

The first time I encountered Henry Lau was not through a Chinese film. It was through a Korean drama series titled "Oh My Venus" back in 2016. His role there was refreshing, playful, and unexpectedly charming. In fact, I almost loved him more than the actual lead actor. That role was what introduced me to his cool versatility.

I went searching for more of his work and discovered something even sweeter about him, Henry Lau is more of a musician than an actor, a talented instrumentalist and a Canadian! I watched one of the songs he sang with "Hwasa", an amazing Korean singer, it was so beautiful.

In Double World, Henry Lau starts off as the jovial, playful type. He is the kind people don’t take seriously but I knew from beginning that was the least to think of him. So watching him rise, take responsibility, and eventually fight to save his people from a warlord was so satisfying.

"Double World" is a Chinese fantasy action film released in 2020, starring Henry Lau, Peter Ho, Chenhan Lin, and Him Law. The story is set in a fictional universe made up of ten nations. When a neighbouring country grows so powerful, a warlord driven by fear and the hunger for control organises a massive competition to determine which nation possesses the strongest warriors.

From one nation emerges the young man (Henry Lau) who is playful and underestimated, and two others who steps up to represent their people (although with they later revealed real intentions).

The journey to the competition ground alone was intense, they lost one team member within the blink of an eye. But the competition itself was a whole different level after they got a new member (Jinggang). The intensity of the competition kept rising, especially when they had to fight a monster for it's egg and when it came down to having the teams turning against each other.

The movie even though it's fantasy and action based, had sad moments too. Losing Jinggang was unexpected, she gave that youthful energy and balance that reduced the heaviness of the story so her absence left a noticeable emotional gap which means she did play her role very well.

As for the warlord who is the villain, I don’t have much to say. But if I am being honest, his plan was solid as he had the king under his control, everything was lined up for a perfect execution. But we know how it is, the protagonist will always rise. The story was quite predictable with that.

For a movie I felt reluctant to see, it was surprising that I didn't pause or take a break until the end which says a lot about the pacing and intensity. The character played their role well, and the story kept moving without losing momentum. Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected to.

The movie wasn’t on my priority list to watch but it earned it's place by the end. I’d rate it 8.5/10 and I highly recommend if you're a fan of Chinese fantasy films or if, like me, you’re watching for Henry Lau and staying for everything else after.