Project Gutenberg (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 10m (130 min)
- Director
- Felix Chong Man-Keung
- Original language
- Cantonese
- Studio
- Emperor Motion Pictures
- Budget
- $38.3M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- hong kong crime
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.
- Director Felix Chong Man-Keung
- Chow Yun-Fat as Painter
- Aaron Kwok as Lee Man
- Zhang Jingchu as Yuen Man
-
Jack Kao as General
Also Starring in Project Gutenberg
· 14 more- Liu Kai-Chi Uncle Shing
- Alex Fong Chung-Sun Deputy commissioner of police
- Felix Lok Ying-Kwan YT
- Carl Ng Lok Man
- Deon Cheung Chung-Chi Bobby
- Justin Cheung Kin-Sing Brother Four
- Paulyn Sun Ms Wah
- Frank Liu Zong-Ji
- Catherine Chau Madam Ho
- David Wang Lee Wing Chit
- Joyce Feng Ng Sau Ching
- Leung Kin-Ping Lam Tin Lik
- Xing Jiadong Secretary
- Dominic Lam Ka-Wah
Project Gutenberg Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (84) and weakest in story & flow (60).
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.
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
Project Gutenberg Box Office & Budget
Project Gutenberg grossed $188.1 million worldwide on a $38.3 million budget, 4.9 times what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$188.1M
4.9× its budget
- International
- $188.1M
- Budget
- $38.3M
Project Gutenberg Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer PROJECT GUTENBERG (2018) Trailer | Chow Yun-Fat, Aaron Kwok Action Thriller Movie
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the lead character Lee Man in the film?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Project Gutenberg
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Man, a Woman and a Bank, Man on the Brink and Scotland Yard Investigator.
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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