Singaporean Movie: Ah Boys to Men (新兵正傳)

Discussions on the Hokkien (Minnan) language.
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FutureSpy
Posts: 167
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:23 pm

Singaporean Movie: Ah Boys to Men (新兵正傳)

Post by FutureSpy »

I've just seen both parts of Jack Neo's lastest movie "Ah Boys to Men" (新兵正傳). While not being completely in Hokkien as his first movie "Money No Enough" (錢不夠用), this one has a pretty decent amount of Hokkien on it, even more than most of his movies (which is natural, since the movie takes part in the Singaporean Army). The most pleasant (perhaps exotic and unusual) surprise in the movie was that there's a youngster who speak it almost all the time... I'm yet to meet online a S'porean youngster who can speak it like that :lol:

As for the movie itself, if you've seen other Jack Neo's movies, you know what to expect. Many people complaint about his movies arguing poor plots, predictability, shallowness or lack of depth, but personally I think his movies aren't meant for that kind of audience who goes to the movies seeking something more. His movies are funny, entertaining, and easy to follow, and perhaps that's precisely what makes them so popular in Singapore. Me being a Jack Neo movies fan, couldn't give a more biased opinion on it. I enjoyed most of them after all :mrgreen:

Anyway, I really recommend both parts for those looking for a fresh movie with some Hokkien :lol:

Image

EDIT:
福建兵歌
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5GK741yX9g

Translation extracted from the movie English subtitles:
23 June was a bad day
It's the day when I'm enlisted
I took a cab early morning
and arrived at the CMPB (Central Manpower Base)

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo

When I got to CMPB
Sergeant took my red IC (identity card)
and asked me to check body (body checkup)
Then I was sent to BMT (Basic Military Training)

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo

BMT is an old building
It's also my holiday resort
There's chairs, beds and cabinets
And also army uniforms

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo

Two black stripes means Corporal
Three black stripes is Sergeant
And the one with the black baton
That is called the CSM (Company Sergeant Major)

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo

If the Sergeant loses temper
We'll all be punished
No 3 and No 4 (different training attire)
We'll be asked to change for no good reason

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo

We start training from dawn till dust
Camouflage, infrantry plus SOC (Standard Obstacle Course)
Worse is running 5km
Sometimes carrying casualty

Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
Aiyo Aiyo Ai Aiyo
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