Shen tan zhu gu li

This is a crime comedy starring Michael Hui as Inspector Chu, who is a bumbling police detective but nonetheless get assigned to find the kidnapped son of TV star Mrs. Lin (Sibelle Hui). Aiding Chu in the case is his snack-loving colleague Egg-Tart (Ricky Hui) and the Chief Inspector's daughter, Chiao-Chiao (Anita Mui).

As with most if not all films involving Michael Hui, comedy and humor are in abundance - tastefully done and certainly entertaining. Philip Chan did a great job directing and kept the plot going at a fast paced and assembled an endearing cast of characters. Michael and his brother Ricky make a great time as always. Anita Mui provided a bubbly, hilarious but committed detective role and Sibelle Hu provided a heartfelt and motherly role as Mrs. Lin.

The main plot of the detectives trying to locate the missing child is suspenseful and captivating and keeps you engaged throughout the movie. At the same time, the innocent of the children and the care-freeness/lightheartedness the detectives display to the worried family of the missing kid is heartwarming.

It's classic comedy missed in with drama, action and adventures. A must-see movie of any fan of Hong Kong films!

Grade A

The comparison to Inspector Clouseau is way off the mark. Inspector Chu (Chocolate) does not work independently or stumble on clues blindly as Clouseau did. He is the straight man for his two assistants. It's his quick thinking instead of lack of thought that pulls his team through.

One member being a young Anita Mui who doesn't use her high kick or show any of the skills she exhibits in later movies. She is the Superintendent's daughter and is assigned to Inspector Chocolate after his bungling an arrest and demotion to less important assignments. These new duties are commensurate with keeping the daughter out of harms way.

A missing child becomes a kidnapping and it takes Inspector Chocolate's quick thinking to bail out his teams miscues. The movie moves at a good clip keeping one entertained. There are some situational comedy scenes, like during a stake out of the ransom drop, that will cause some belly laughs. Another memorable scene involves Inspector Chocolate trying to save face while being raked over the coals by the Superintendent.

The characters are all likable and blend together well. This is a cop movie without any Kung fu action, unbelievable heroics or unnecessary body count. It's just a fun movie.

The Chocolate Inspector (1986) was one of the last films to prominently feature the Hui brothers (Michael and Ricky). Micheal stars as a laid back Hong Kong Inspector who has a very big sweet tooth. he just wants to do his job and kick back. A new kid on the block (Michael Chow) wants to take up all the spotlight and make Michael look like the fool. One day Chief Chiao (Roy Chiao) wants Michael to take his daughter (Anita Mui) under his wing. One day, the three of them get the biggest case of their lives. A young girl from a prominent family get's kidnapped. Will the Chocolate Inspector and his crew solve the case? If you want to watch a funny movie that doesn't rely on cheap shots and toilet humor, you have to watch The Chocolate Inspector! Check out Elvis Tsui and his mean looking mullet.

Highly recommended.

I saw The Chocolate Inspector in the cinema upon its release, and I wasn't disappointed. This is one of the few Hong Kong comedies I've seen, and the focus of the smarties made for hilarious viewing.

It's a shame Hollywood didn't reboot this Hong Kong classic.