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Action crime film

Project Gutenberg (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Project Gutenberg (2018) movie poster

Project Gutenberg is a 2018 action crime film directed by Felix Chong Man-Keung, starring Chow Yun-Fat as Painter, Aaron Kwok and Zhang Jingchu. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $188.1 million worldwide on a $38.3 million budget. Its Echo Score is 74/100.

worldwide gross
$188.1M
Echo Score
74
budget
$38.3M
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Project Gutenberg (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Genres
Action , Crime , Mystery
Original language
Cantonese
Budget
$38.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Project Gutenberg About?

The premise of Project Gutenberg without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Hong Kong police are on the trail of a sophisticated counterfeiting gang led by the elusive "Painter," whose skills make their fake currency nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Their operation spans the globe, drawing significant attention from law enforcement. To uncover the mastermind's identity, the police enlist the help of Lee Man, a painter with a unique perspective that could be key to solving the complex case and bringing the criminal enterprise to an end.

Project Gutenberg Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • painting
  • counterfeit money
  • police
  • arrest
  • fake banknote
  • gang
  • hong kong
  • fake painting
  • vancouver british columbia canada
  • in medias res
  • u.s. dollar
  • two word title
+1 more
  • hong kong crime
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Cast & crew

Project Gutenberg Cast & Characters

Chow Yun-Fat leads the cast as Painter, with Aaron Kwok as Lee Man and Zhang Jingchu as Yuen Man. Directed by Felix Chong Man-Keung; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Project Gutenberg

· 14 more
Ratings

Project Gutenberg Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (84) and weakest in story & flow (60).

74 /100

Project Gutenberg Echo Score Breakdown

Project Gutenberg delivers solid action set pieces, strong lead performances, and a stylistic visual approach that appeal to fans of classic Hong Kong thrillers. However, its narrative leans heavily on familiar crime‑drama tropes, echoing earlier films and resulting in predictable twists and a disappointing conclusion. The soundtrack and cinematography bolster the viewing experience, yet uneven pacing in the first act and an over‑complicated plot detract from overall cohesion. Consequently, the film offers an engaging yet flawed entertainment package.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a polished visual style with effective cinematography and well‑executed action choreography. The production design supports the counterfeit theme, and the soundtrack reinforces the mood. Some scenes feel slow, indicating occasional editorial missteps. Overall, the technical execution is competent and contributes positively to the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 84

    When it comes to character and emotion, Chow Yun‑fat's performance stands out as nuanced and charismatic, while supporting actors deliver credible portrayals. The chemistry between leads is generally effective, and emotional beats land with clarity. A few moments of hammy acting are noted, but the overall character work remains a strength of the film.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding story and flow, the plot follows familiar counterfeit‑heist conventions and mirrors earlier thrillers, reducing its originality. The pacing improves after an initial lull, yet the second half loses momentum with excessive action set‑pieces. Plot twists feel predictable, and the ending is considered unsatisfying, leading to a mixed reception of the narrative structure.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In sensory experience, the movie benefits from a strong soundtrack and polished sound design that complement its sleek visual aesthetic. Cinematographic choices, such as stylized lighting and dynamic camera work, enhance the atmospheric quality. While the audio‑visual components are largely effective, they do not fully compensate for narrative shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    For rewatch factor, the film offers entertaining action sequences and memorable performances that may reward repeat viewings. The stylistic elements and occasional plot twists provide some incentive to revisit. However, the derivative storyline and uneven pacing limit lasting appeal, resulting in moderate replay value.

Plot

Project Gutenberg Plot Summary

What happens in Project Gutenberg from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lee Man [Aaron Kwok] is a counterfeit artist extradited from Thailand to Hong Kong, thrust into a deadly game of crime and secrets. The Hong Kong Police Force, led by Inspector Ho, are tracing a string of murders and robberies tied to Lee’s counterfeit notes, all connected to a shadowy mastermind known as Painter [Chow Yun-Fat]. As interrogations heat up, renowned artist Yuen Man tries to bail him out, and an uneasy bargain is struck: Lee will be released into witness protection in exchange for naming Painter and revealing his criminal history. With this pact, Lee begins to recount a past he would rather forget, a past that pulls him deeper into a web of art, deceit, and vengeance.

Full summary

The whole story of Project Gutenberg, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Project Gutenberg Box Office & Budget

Project Gutenberg grossed $188.1 million worldwide on a $38.3 million budget, 4.9 times what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$188.1M

4.9× its budget

International
$188.1M
Budget
$38.3M
Videos

Project Gutenberg Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Project Gutenberg 无双 Trailer - In Cinemas 4 OCT
  • Trailer PROJECT GUTENBERG (2018) Trailer | Chow Yun-Fat, Aaron Kwok Action Thriller Movie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Project Gutenberg?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrays the lead character Lee Man in the film?

Details

Project Gutenberg Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Mo seung” and “Project Gutenberg (2018)”.

Also known as
  • Mo seung
  • Project Gutenberg (2018)
  • Egy megfoghatatlan hamisító
  • プロジェクト・グーテンベルク 贋札王:2018
  • The Counterfeiter
  • Mou seung
  • Nepolapitelný padělatel
  • Project Gutenberg: Gansatsu-Ou
  • 无双
  • 무쌍
  • Gutenberg Projesi
  • Проект «Гутенберг»
+8 more
  • Proyecto Gutenberg
  • Proiectul Gutenberg
  • Projeto Gutenberg
  • เกมหักเหลี่ยม เฉือนคม
  • Phi Vụ Tiền Giả
  • Nieuchwytny fałszerz
  • プロジェクト・グーテンベルク 贋札王
  • Проєкт «Ґутенберг»

Seen Project Gutenberg?

FAQ

Project Gutenberg FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Project Gutenberg, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Project Gutenberg?

Project Gutenberg runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was Project Gutenberg released?

Project Gutenberg was released on September 24, 2018.

Who directed Project Gutenberg?

Project Gutenberg was directed by Felix Chong Man-Keung.

More films by Felix Chong Man-Keung

Who is in the cast of Project Gutenberg?

Project Gutenberg stars Chow Yun-Fat as Painter, Aaron Kwok as Lee Man and Zhang Jingchu as Yuen Man, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Project Gutenberg make at the box office?

Project Gutenberg grossed $188.1 million worldwide on a budget of $38.3 million.

Does Project Gutenberg have a post-credit scene?

No. Project Gutenberg has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Project Gutenberg in?

The original language of Project Gutenberg is Cantonese.

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