It was The Viral Factor vs Perfect Two at the CNY boxoffice, grit vs fluff, violence vs love, Dante Lam vs Kevin Chu. So who won?
Perfect Two, the Vic Chou-Ella-Xiao Xiao Bin starrer.
No surprise really.
Perfect Two is family-oriented and the Taiwanese typically go for this type of films. Think You Are The Apple of My Eye and Hear Me. Besides, it has the adorable combo of Zai Zai and Xiao Xiao Bin.
The Viral Factor, on the other hand, is typical Dante Lam/Hong Kong bang-bang.
Of course, its main attraction is having Nicholas Tse and Jay Chou together.
Here are comparative figures from MSN Entertainment:
Production cost:
The Viral Factor: NT$800 million (US$26 million) vs Perfect Two: NT$250 million (US$8.36 million)
January 21 earnings:
The Viral Factor: NT$540,000 (US$18,000) vs Perfect Two: NT$1.92 million (US$64,000)
Estimated earnings across Taiwan during the holidays
The Viral Factor: NT$810,000 (US$27,000) vs Perfect Two: NT$4 million (US$134,000)
Tweets and blogs, however, are saying that The Viral Factor took the boxoffice lead in Hong Kong (where there are other Lunar New Year movies too like All’s Well That Ends Well and I Love HK 2012), Malaysia and Singapore. This is no surprise either since Nic and Jay have more regional appeal.
It’s funny though reading some early reviews on Twitter about The Viral Factor, pointing to a strong action movie (it’s Dante Lam, but what else) with decent acting, but has a poorly written script. Someone also said that Nic’s overacting was balanced by Jay’s underacting, although Andy On’s English diction was beyond saving.
If The Viral Factor continues to take the lead in other markets outside Taiwan, then it will be the runaway winner obviously. But it will be interesting to see how the two films will fare in China, which is the market that truly matters. Love Is Not Blind, last year’s biggest boxoffice surprise in the mainland, was a low-budget rom-com so Perfect Two may stand a chance. But then again, You Are The Apple of My Eye hasn’t been doing well as expected in the mainland, thanks in part to bootleg copies and some scenes being censored.
If I were to choose between the two films though, I will go for cute. Sorry Jay.
Copyright © 2012. theasianpopculturist. All rights reserved.
orange jasmine purple yam 
I would totally watch Perfect Two just for xiao xiao bin. He is so adorable I’d adopt him in a heartbeat.
LikeLike
me too, he’s so adorable! I hope he doesn’t grow up. and when he does, I hope he doesn’t look like his dad. lols
LikeLike
If I was a producer I’d put xiao xiao bin and ashida mana in one movie about fairies and unicorns.
P.S. I heard viral factor is doing well in other countries except for taiwan LOL.
LikeLike
omg yes!!! Ashida Mana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that would be uber cute! cross-over hahaha!
I think a bang-bang movie does not appeal to the Taiwanese lols
LikeLike
I wouldn’t want to watch a bang bang movie to start my new year too. Probably the same thing here in Phil. during MMFF, people prefer watching lighthearted
senselesscomedies than action movies/heavy dramas.P.S. I looked both ashida mana and xiao xiao bin up on google OMG they’re both born 2004. How cute is that? totally shipping them LOL.
LikeLike
HAHAHAHA!
you are funny!!!!!
someone should bring them together in a project asap!
LikeLike