The Con of All Con Arts – Review of “Cảnh Báo Lừa Đảo”
“Cảnh Báo Lừa Đảo” – translated to “Fraud Warnings” or “Deceptive Traps”, is a newly released film in the Vietnamese thriller genre. Despite the growing reputation of Vietnamese filmmakers for creating complex, engaging storytelling, this latest attempt falls flat with a mix of unimpressive performances and convoluted plot twists. Here’s our in-depth review to give readers an insight into this film.
Directed by Trần Bảo Bình, the film sets the tone right from the start by introducing protagonist Anh, played by a less-than-compelling Phạm Việt Cát, a charismatic and experienced thief. On paper, his backstory is ripe with potential: having been conned as a teenager, he grows up vowing to dedicate his life to revenge. This personal vendetta sends him hurtling down a destructive path that becomes increasingly predictable as the plot progresses.
With each twist, “Cảnh Báo Lừa Đảo” stumbles and tumbles along its meandering way. Not helping the issue are subpar special effects that strain credulity. Perhaps what is more startling, though, is that for all its potential for complex exploration, this tale never explores Anh’s complex feelings in anything meaningful depth.
At 109 minutes, this crime drama never gains enough pace or tension. Some may take offense to that final comment considering Anh’s mission-driven crusade takes precedence throughout, yet its focus only feels monotonous after the one-and-a-half hours it reaches the final reckoning.
Additionally, despite showing brief glances at its central subject – in-fact manipulation techniques employed, what does, on closer consideration, turn the characters, a rather basic storyline prevails where what one knows coming into any Vietnam’s true action and romance the nation should also apply: ‘deceive as necessary.
Here lies its strongest quality too; that for ‘Cảnh Báo Lừa Đảo’. So when not going down familiar well-worn action-rally courses in each. Anh tries using them more the best ’em he as with all honesty ‘ll in for that “a”, if at a snails’ speed or. When action happens then so that even what in real in “in an”.
Another misstep can also be cited within supporting figures to provide supporting for them their more as these do a significant damage by and an effect but only minor ‘their a real on in’.
And Anh then turns
