Three

Three is a 2016 Hong Kong-Chinese action film directed by Johnnie To, co-written by Yau Nai-Hoi, Lau Ho-Leung and Mak Tin-Sau, that prominently features an ensemble cast that includes highly accredited actors from both Hong Kong and mainland China. The principal actors include Wei Zhao, Louis Koo, and Wallace Chung in leading roles, each with their unique narrative journeys.

The film takes place primarily in a hospital, where Johnnie To expertly maneuvers his story and characters, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that dramatically enhances the movie’s tension. This setting serves as the backdrop for the intersecting arcs of three principal characters, a criminal, a cop, and a doctor, each of whom is merely identified by their roles rather than their names, thereby highlighting the situational dynamics rather than their individual identities.

Wei Zhao portrays a doctor in a different kind of role to what we are generally accustomed to seeing. Instead of being a helpless observer caught up in the crossfire of crime and justice, Zhao's character is instead deeply fleshed out, striking, and pivotal to the narrative. Displaying a level of moral complexity, her character is faced with ethical dilemmas that keep the audience engaged and intrigued.

Louis Koo plays a hard-edged cop, a person who believes in the uncompromising power of the law, but isn't afraid to bend the rules to ensure the bad guys pay for their deeds. Koo’s character shows a relentless pursuit of justice, often putting him at odds with the doctor’s role and adding another layer to the movie’s intricate dynamics.

Finally, we have Wallace Chung, who masterfully portrays a criminal. However, this is not your regular run-of-the-mill thug. His character is cunning, manipulative and filled with surprises, keeping the audience second-guessing his next move. The interactions between his character and the opposing entities of the law form the crux of the narrative.

The drama really kicks into high gear when these three lives entwine inside a hospital. The wounded criminal, the relentless policeman, and the conflicted doctor all lead to a climax that's as unpredictable as it is thrilling, given how beautifully orchestrated the whole sequence is.

One of the unique aspects of Three is its noir style of storytelling, interspersed with high-stakes action, dotted with thrilling chase sequences and mind-bending plot twists. The film expertly maintains a delicate balance of showcasing regular life within the hospital with the extraordinary circumstances of our main characters.

The movie as a whole does a fantastic job in its usage of atmospheric setting to create suspense, combining that with a trifecta of solid performances. The hospital setting becomes akin to a battleground, filled with many innocent lives hanging in the balance, as our lead characters play their games, both mental and physical. Johnnie To, the director, succeeds in creating a middleground between an explosive action film and a quiet, suspenseful thriller.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the cinematography of Three. It utilizes creative visuals to theatrical effect, which enhances the overall narrative and offers the audience an immersive cinematic experience. Its tight shots, the weary and grave expressions of our leads, and its unique staging of action sequences make Three visually captivating.

As for its genre, Three maintains an intriguing mix of action, crime, and drama, seasoned with ample suspense elements. The movie keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, with each character having equal weight in the story, often pulling the viewer’s allegiance in different directions.

In conclusion, Three is a captivating movie that intelligently uses character dynamics and atmospheric tension to drive its plot forward. Its rich and multi-layered tapestry of actions and reactions, coupled with its exploration of moral values and duty, truly distinguishes it from other action crime thrillers. Performances by Wei Zhao, Louis Koo, and Wallace Chung elevate the intrigue, while Johnnie To’s direction ensures the film’s high entertainment quotient.