The film follows the trials of Liu Zi Shan (Dai Yang Tian), Li Qing Dian (Rynn Lim), and Wu Donghai (Jack Lim), a trio of ne`er-do-wells with typically hard knock lives, selling illegal DVDs and cheap brassiere to make ends meet. When Donghai convinces the trio to engage in a bit of harmless carjacking to make a quick buck, things quickly deteriorate into a nightmare, with corpse-foisting and loanshark-evading shenanigans being the order of the day.
Given the solid comic element of the film, 3X Trouble would have been an adequately crafted spoof comedy. The trio of young actors play their caricatures with both enthusiasm and an over-the-top style, laced with regional profanities. Unfortunately, 3X Trouble takes a wrong turn when it attempts to go for the dramatic route midway through the story, with the result being a slightly schizophrenic effect that derails its strong start.
Despite its patchy tone and an inexcusably sloppy ending, 3X Trouble has just enough comic muscle, frenetic action and star talent to barrel its way into the `adequately comedic` category. Now if only they`d cut down on the whole moralizing bit.
Summary: Three stars for the trio of troublemakers, who essentially salvaged the film.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Raphael Lim