“Meow (2017): Why Louis Koo’s Chinese Movie Is Hong Kong Cinema’s Most Unexpected Sci-Fi Masterpiece”
Introduction: A Genre-Defying Gem
When director Benny Chan teamed with Louis Koo – Hong Kong’s $2.2 billion box office king – for 2017’s Meow, few anticipated a film blending alien invasions, family drama, and social satire. This $15 million production subverts expectations, offering international viewers a fresh lens into Chinese storytelling. Unlike formulaic Hollywood sci-fi, Meow uses extraterrestrial cats to explore urban loneliness and parental guilt, cementing its status as a cult classic worth rediscovering.
- Plot Overview: More Than a Cat Movie
Tagline: “When aliens invade as feline saviors…”
Set in a retro-futuristic Hong Kong, Koo plays Chan Ming, a workaholic architect neglecting his daughter (Miao Miao) after his wife’s death. Their lives transform when a telepathic cat-like alien (CGI character “Whiskers”) crashes into their apartment, claiming to scout Earth for peaceful colonization.
The narrative cleverly parallels:
- Parent-Child Reconciliation: Whiskers’ mission mirrors Ming’s journey to rebuild trust with his daughter
- Social Commentary: Alien cats observe humanity’s obsession with screens and productivity
- Visual Paradox: Whiskers’ cartoonish design contrasts with Hong Kong’s neon-lit skyscrapers
- Louis Koo’s Career-Defining Performance
Koo, known for crime thrillers (Drug War) and heroic roles, delivers nuanced vulnerability here:
A. Physical Comedy Mastery
- Slapstick scenes like battling sentient furniture showcase his underrated comedic timing
- Subtle reactions to Whiskers’ telepathic messages (e.g., eye twitches, hesitant smiles)
B. Emotional Depth
- The hospital scene where Ming confesses guilt to his comatose wife: 3 minutes of silent tears
- Contrasts his stoic persona in films like Paradox
C. Behind-the-Scenes Dedication
- Trained with real cats for 2 months to study feline movements
- Insisted on practical effects for 40% of Whiskers’ interactions
- Hong Kong’s Unique Cinematic Identity
-Meow* exemplifies the city’s filmmaking DNA through:
A. Hybrid Genres
Blends elements rarely mixed in Western cinema:
| Element | Eastern Approach | Western Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Sci-Fi Concepts | Metaphysical & whimsical | Techno-centric (e.g., The Martian) |
| Family Dynamics | Multigenerational focus | Nuclear family tropes |
B. Urban Aesthetics
- Director Benny Chan’s signature use of:
- Neon-lit wet markets contrasting with sleek offices
- Crowded apartments symbolizing urban isolation
- Homage to 1990s Hong Kong New Wave films via fish-eye lens shots
C. Cultural Signifiers
- Food as emotional bridge: Cat-shaped egg tarts symbolize Ming’s paternal love
- Feng Shui-inspired alien tech designs
- Why Global Audiences Should Watch
A. Universal Themes with Local Flavor
- Parental Guilt: Mirrors Pixar’s Inside Out but through Confucian familial duty
- AI Ethics: Whiskers’ mission raises questions about colonization – a fresh take vs. Avatar’s militaristic approach
B. Innovative Storytelling
- Non-linear narrative: Ming’s architectural blueprints transition into alien schematics
- Breaking the “Fourth Wall”: Whiskers addresses viewers in Cantonese slang
C. Cultural Bridge
- Perfect introduction to:
- Hong Kong’s “Cha Chaan Teng” café culture
- The city’s 73% high-rise residential reality
- Lunar New Year traditions via the climax’s lion dance battle
- Critical Reception & Legacy
Initially polarizing, Meow gained reappraisal post-2020:
A. 2017 Reviews
- SCMP: “A messy but heartfelt oddity”
- Variety: “Koo’s willingness to look foolish is touching”
B. Modern Reassessment
- 2023 Hong Kong Film Archive included it in “21st Century Genre Innovators”
- Influenced subsequent hybrids like Warriors of Future (2022)
C. Easter Eggs for Film Buffs
- Cameo by “Meow” co-writer Ryker Chan as a fishball vendor
- Whiskers’ spaceship design references Akira (1988)
How to Watch in 2025
- Streaming: Available on ViuTV with English subtitles
- Physical Media: Limited-edition Blu-ray includes Koo’s cat-training diary
- Cultural Pairing: Enjoy with milk tea and pineapple buns for immersive viewing
Conclusion: A Gateway to Hong Kong Cinema
-Meow* exemplifies Chinese sci-fi’s ability to merge spectacle with soul. For Western viewers accustomed to Marvel’s CGI overload, this film offers intimate storytelling where a father’s hug holds more power than any spaceship battle. As Hong Kong cinema evolves amidst streaming dominance, Meow remains a testament to its risk-taking spirit – proving that sometimes, the universe’s deepest truths arrive not with laser guns, but a purring alien on your sofa.