Ah Boys to Men

Ah Boys to Men is a 2012 Singaporean military comedy film produced and directed by Jack Neo, written by Neo and Link Sng. It stars Joshua Tan, Maxi Lim, Noah Yap, Wang Weiliang, Tosh Zhang, Aizuddiin Nasser and Ridhwan Azman in the first installment. The film is the first installment of the Ah Boys to Men series. The main plot revolves around a group of army recruits in National service in Singapore. Neo had wanted to shoot an army-themed film since his army days, but could not find a suitable chance to do so. Ah Boys to Men is the first local film to be released in two parts and the first to film in Pulau Tekong, as well as the first South-East Asian film to feature Dolby Atmos surround sound. The film's theme song, "Recruits' Anthem" was written and composed by one of the cast, Tosh Zhang. The film was released on 8 November 2012. It is the highest-grossing Singaporean film of all time, and has grossed over four times its S$3 million budget. Plot The film opens with Singapore apparently suffering a massive invasion, with iconic Singaporean landmarks attacked and numerous civilian casualties. It is later revealed that the war is the fictitious setting of a war-based role-playing game played by Ken Chow (Joshua Tan), a rich and spoiled teenager reluctant to be conscripted into National Service (NS). Ken planned to study abroad with his girlfriend Amy (Qiu Qiu), but is prevented from doing so by his upcoming compulsory military service. After being chided by Amy for his childishness, Ken vents his anger on a nearby rubbish bin, only to be apprehended by two nearby policemen to Amy's embarrassment and dismay. After he is driven home by his father (Richard Low), Ken confides to his parents about his fears of NS. His overprotective mother (Irene Ang) decides to help him think of ways to defer his service, but fails. The Chow family sadly sends off Ken on the day of his recruitment. Thereafter, Ken and some other recruits are assigned to Ninja Company (Platoon 2, Section 2), sent to their bunk and then introduced to their Platoon Sergeant (Tosh Zhang). Whilst queueing up for the mandatory haircut, Ken meets some of his fellow recruits - "Lobang", (Wang Weiliang) a charismatic Ah Beng who's quick to make friends, Aloysius Jin Sia-lan, (Maxi Lim) an extremely educated fellow who intends to become an army officer and "I.P. Man", (Noah Yap) an Ah Beng scared of his girlfriend Mayoki (Sherraine Law) dumping him for being too busy serving NS.