Bad Genius 出貓特攻隊 (2017) (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)

Review by Andrew Chan

Bad Genius is so much fun, filled with moments of real tension as if we are watching a live crime robbery or an engaging heist thriller. As we all know, the Thai national box office winner is a film about how a group of high schoolers attempts to cheat the school exams and eventually the International University Admission test. The chemistry between the relative newcomers simply strikes gold (charmingly played by Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, Chanon Santinatornkul, Teeradon Supapunpinyo, Eisaya Hosuwan).

Director Nattawut Poonpiriya knows precisely how to film a commercially successful film in that he paced the film perfectly by blending comedy, emotional, thrilling situations and well meaning message into the story. It should be complemented that he managed to depict an exam cheating situation like a bank robbery in practice, making every movement and sound in tension filled slow motion. Creative use of piano playing and innovative techniques of modern age and traditional cheating methods are all a joy to watch. 

All in all, Bad Genius simply works because it gives the young actors a lot of focus, room to play around and a story that perfectly blends in a cocktail experience that is both fresh and fulfilling. Even if the ending may suggest Thai film censors have some similarities to the Mainland counterpart, the film worked so well by then that nothing can take away what they achieved. It also prove that Thai cinema have a lot to offer beyond the typical genres of horror films. A wonderfully crafted coming of age, comedy heist thriller.

I rated it 4/5