TV REVIEW: THE BROTHERS SUN - Season 1

3.5/5

American Born Taiwanese. 

8 Episodes. Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Joon Lee & Highdee Kuan. Created By: Brad Falchuk & Byron Wu. On: Netflix. 

Ever since icon of Hong Kong cinema Michelle Yeoh won the Oscar for Best Actress, last year, she's been in (you know the score by now), everything, everywhere, (yep, you guessed it), all at once. 'Yes, Madam'. As well, the classic 'Holy Weapon' of 'Magnificent Warriors' and Bond and 'Crazy Rich Asians' legend should be. Log onto your (or your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, family member, neighbours Wi-Fi's) Disney + right now, and you can catch her cameoing on the fun 'American Born Chinese', as well as the latest Poirot picture for her spirit in 'A Haunting In Venice'. But where she really excels is on the "other" mainstream movie and show streaming service.

A little one called Netflix, where in-between final crownings and new 'Squid Game's' with real people, she finds a home with 'The Brothers Sun'. A brilliant comedy/drama from Ryan Murphy's co-creator Brad Falchuk ('Glee', 'American Horror Story', 'Scream Queens', and 'Pose'), or Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow to you, and emerging talent Byron Wu. One that kicks ass with plenty of kung and gun-fu for you fans of dear John at the end of your wicks. In competition, this slow January, with Marvel's epic 'Echo' and HBO's latest 'True Detective' ('Night Country' on Max), 'The Brothers Sun' keep it in the family like a 'Fast and Furious' Vin Diesel.

'Blood runs in the family', and the tablecloths, as you pour your tea for this eight episode wonder of an English and Mandarin language series. This may not be Japan, like this writer's Tokyo home, but this son knows how to rise alongside his brother and mother. From Los Angeles, California, to Taipei City, Taiwan. Bruce Sun thinks he's living the California dream like a Beach Boy. Skating through life like this was Venice Beach with designs on being a comedy improv star, which we all know, to parents, looks like it requires no work at all. But on the contrary (you never seen how an episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', that has lasted this long before this quarter's final season, works?). Then, his life is turned upside down, with no plan, when his brother, Charles Sun, comes to town from Taipei. 

With a smart suit, but no tie, slicked back hair, and a gangster goatee, this guy looks like he means mean business. And just wait until he plays a round of golf at the driving range (you know, you're not supposed to hit it that way (that's what she said), right?!). He's not here to fix your broken chair leg, but hand it to you. Then, for the Sun's, Bruce runs into more gang members than South Central as Charles dances with the trials of the triads in this game of thrones. All for some of the most amazing action you've seen since Yeoh was handing it to everyone, all at once and fellow Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan had everything in his fanny pack, no short rounds, Doctor Jones.

Yeoh is an undeniable great, nailing it with a drill, hacksaw and a pair of marigolds, but her on-screen offspring more than make their mark. Young director and actor Sam Song Li is a star of the future with this 'American Carnage' and that's no improvisation. You could see him as the sidekick in the next superhero movie for Marvel or DC, but he plays no second fiddle here. He's the real star of the show, or at least the protagonist catalyst, as it all comes back to him. Meanwhile, the pure presence of Justin Chien as the older brother watching over his youngest with a stronghold that looks like he doesn't care (but oh, how you know that isn't true) reminds us of actors we've seen before. That's just how great a talent to take with you through this year, he is. 'The Madness Within' this 'Pool Boy' and 'Sun Moon' actor tells us this throwback, if born back in the dawn of HK cinema, would be his own legend like Yeoh or Jackie Chan. Yen, Li, and everyone else, all at (yeah, we said it). 

Elsewhere, Korean Joon Lee plays the best, albeit stoner unreliable, best friend. Whilst Highdee Kuan's (you may have seen her in 'Proximity' of legend Maggie Q's 'Fear The Night') District Attorney who always gets her man, puts her dent in things like Batman's Harvey. Another star of right now, and the future that's upon us, that we feel like has been around for years. Just like the legend that runs through these Taiwanese and triad traditions and these brothers in arms. With great support from recurring stars like a twinning Alice Hewkin, comedian Jenny Yang, the grace of Madison Hu and legend Ron Yuan, these brothers are something you should stream and confide in as you continue watching long after the sun has gone down. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'American Born Chinese', 'Fubar', 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'.