Main Cast: Jackie Chan, Charlene Choi, Gillian Chung, Ekin Cheng
Release Year: 2003
Country: HK
Run Time: 88 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
A powerful, age-old bloodsucker attempts to gather the blood essence that will enable him to walk in daylight -- and the only thing standing between his success and the forthcoming age of darkness is a trio of skilled vampire slayers in director Dante Lam's The Twins Effect. Top agent Reeve (Ekin Cheng) works for a secret organization dedicated to ridding the world of the fanged menace, and though his razor-sharp fighting skills -- not to mention and the occasional dose of vampire blood -- give him an edge over your typical vampire slayer, his new partner, Gypsy (Gillian Chung), also possesses formidable skills. When Reeve learns that his younger sister Helen (Charlene Choi) is romantically linked with a sensitive, new-age vampire prince, Kazaf (Edison Chen), who possesses the final piece of the puzzle needed for the dreaded Duke Dekotes (Mickey Hardt) to overpower humankind and rule the Earth, Reeve, Gypsy, and a reluctant Helen soon jump into action. Combine their skills with that of a quick-kicking paramedic (Jackie Chan), and the human race just may stand a chance for survival after all. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Review
Canto pop stars The Twins battle legions of undead nightwalkers in this lightweight, genre-hopping hybrid of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Blade. Those looking for serious action or scares need not apply, though escapists in search of a good time and little more will no doubt have their needs more than fulfilled, thanks to The Twins Effect's lightning-fast pace and easygoing thrills. Gone are the hopping vampires that Hong Kong horror fans have come to know and love, replaced instead with a modern, less-stiff variation more familiar to Western audiences. Fans of the aforementioned Wesley Snipes vehicle will no doubt note the uncanny resemblance, though the fanged menace here is certainly much less, well, menacing than those Snipes took arms against. Similarities to Joss Whedon's popular cheerleader-vs.-vampire series abound in more ways than one as well, with the cheerful, wide-eyed performances of Twins Gillian Chung and Charlene Choi seeming especially reminiscent. Hong Kong cinema mainstay Anthony Wong offers a wonderfully quirky supporting role as adviser to New Age vampire Prince Kazaf (Edisen Chen) as well. Slick special effects and stylish direction make the celluloid cotton candy go down easy, and extended cameos by Hong Kong megastars Jackie Chan and Karen Mok press the action and comedy aspects to the forefront with great effect. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Cast
Charlene Choi
Gillian Chung
Ekin Cheng
Credit
Dante Lam - Director, Donnie Yen - Action Director
Following its release on June 23, 2003, The Twins Effect was a box-office success in Hong Kong. The film gained huge popularity, mainly from fans of the musical group, Twins.
An evil Duke attempts to kill and collect the blood of a royal family of European vampires in order to become all powerful. The only surviving member of the family travels to Hong Kong, only to complicate his struggle by falling in love with a mortal girl who just happens to have a vampire hunter for a brother.
Vampire Effect
The film was later renamed to Vampire Effect and introduced to United States, as well as released on DVD.
Here are few differences between Vampire Effect and The Twins Effect:
1.Opening sequence is different (few scenes/timelines are switched).
2.Some scenes' editing/cut is different.
3.Few additional scenes are included (which is not in the original version).
4.Film length is shorter than the original version (88 minutes for Vampire Effect).
5.Film score / music / instrumentals are different from original version (different composer).
DVD
There are four versions of DVD, along with VCD, released in Hong Kong.
DAY FOR NIGHT Limited Edition (Limited 3000 sets. 2 DVDs comes with Special Packaging, Vampire Slayer's sword, 4 autograph photos and individual printed code)
DAY FOR NIGHT Limited Edition - 2nd Edition (2 DVDs comes with Bronze colour Special Packaging, Bronze colour Vampire Slayer's sword, 4 autograph postcards)
Standard 2 DVDs with SILVER Cardboard Cover (First Press)
