_That's_the_Way_I_Like_It_ (PG-13) *** (out of ****)
This '70s-set import from Singapore may be named after the song by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, but that dominates the film is that of the Bee Gees--namely, their contributions to the _Saturday_Night_Fever_ soundtrack. In fact, that emblematic film of the disco era dominates this film about Hock (Adrian Pang), a young man who ends up stumbling into a theatre playing _Forever_Fever_ (the film's thinly veiled stand-in for the real thing) and redirects his adoration for Bruce Lee toward John Travolta and the disco scene. As Hock enters a dance contest with his longtime friend Mei (Pam Oei), every plot development can be seen a mile away; the contest's outcome is never in doubt.
But when the execution is as spirited as it is here, it doesn't matter. What is especially delightful is how writer-director Glen Goei in paying tribute to the culture of the glitter ball era, he doesn't downplay the kitschiness of it all; in fact, Goei embraces it. The Tony Manero stand-in (Dominic Pace) that comes off the screen to give Hock advice neither looks nor sounds anything like Travolta, and a climactic Bruce Lee-style martial arts sequence is over-the-top ridiculous, but it it all feels pitch-perfect in this funny and immensely charming trifle.
Michael Dequina twotrey@juno.com | michael_jordan@geocities.com | jordan_host@sportsmail.com | mrbrown@iname.com Mr. Brown's Movie Site: http://welcome.to/mrbrown CinemaReview Magazine: http://www.CinemaReview.com on ICQ: #25289934 | on AOL Instant Messenger: MrBrown23
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