Luk ding gei

"Royal Tramp" (aka "Luk ting kei") is a fairly straight forward, if not archetypical, Stephen Chow movie, for better or worse. If you are a fan of his movies, then you will definitely like "Royal Tramp", no doubt about it. However, if you are not overly keen on his work, I suppose this 1992 movie might be somewhat of a bitter pill to swallow.

The storyline in "Royal Tramp" is one that combines drama, action and, of course, comedy, in the usual Stephen Chow way. And that is what works for the movie, that is definitely something that I enjoy. However, these historical periodic dramas come a dime a dozen and tend to be a bit too trivial. Such is the thing with "Royal Tramp" as well, were it not for the injected elements of comedy.

Something that definitely works well in favor of "Royal Tramp" is the cast ensemble. Of course you have the always likeable Stephen Chow in the lead role. And he is joined by the likes of Chingmy Yau, Sandra Kwan Yue Ng and Man Cheung, just to mention some of the more recognizable of faces for those slightly familiar with the Hong Kong cinema. And I will say that people in the movie definitely performed quite well here. Sure, it was somewhat typical performances for a movie of this caliber, so it is not something new or innovative.

This is a watchable movie, although it is not one that is readily one you sit down to watch soon thereafter. I have seen the movie three times since 1992, so a fair amount of time needs to lapse between each viewing.

While "Royal Tramp" is not the best of action comedy that the Hong Kong cinema has to offer, it is definitely one that could prove worth your time and effort to watch. My rating of "Royal Tramp" from writer and director Jing Wong lands on a six out of ten stars.

I know ROYAL TRAMP is a popular title in Stephen Chow's filmography, but I found it oddly lacking as a movie. I think the problem might be the combination of director Wong Jing and star Chow, as the two never seem to gel as well together as they really should. I like a lot of Jing's movies as well as Chow's movies, but putting them together like this doesn't work all that well. The plot is some nonsensical scattershot silliness about an evil emperor and Chow's undercover mission to spy on him. The wirework-heavy action scenes, packaged as they are with outlandish cheesy gore effects, are the hightlights here, but the mugging, puerile humour becomes quickly wearisome.

I'm in danger. What? Who is afraid of danger? Who said what is not? I said what is not. What is not is not. I can do whatever I want. If I don't get anything, I can't ask you out. If I can't be strict, I can't be strict. What's wrong? What's wrong? It's just because you put it wrong. It's just because you don't do it. I put everyone's baby who put who too beautiful, everyone what person, what who who. What are you who are so spiritless, you what? A secret or something. How to fight? Why is this not you? No, just don't. I'll give you what right away? Then who are you and what are you? No matter what, what Jungle? No, no, nothing? Who put this is what, you who put me what you? My kung fu is a little worse, who is a little worse, what is heavy? If I still have a list to speak, I will have the courage to speak. If I have Chinese culture, I will have the courage to speak. What? I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I can't do anything. What kind of flower is planted with cotton seeds? Who planted the flower? I don't force anyone. I'm afraid you can't make it clear. Who will have the courage if I have a heavy hammer? Do what you want to do, do what you don't want to do, do what you don't want to do. Take him. Take who back? You know, you know what you. I'm hiding here for good. Who's hiding here for what? Grab what? Grab the hammer? My name is Xiao Chun. What's your name? Beg who to beg? How to fight? What do you want to play? Play fast? Then you go away, who can go and kill you? What, you're scared? Who's scared of a hammer? What, who's scared of you? Who can't be killed? Who am I to do the whole week, and then who is our criterion? Who put up with it until now? What are you talking about? How dare you? Who doesn't dare to laugh? Who is all right? Who is not timid? Who does not dare to go to. What? Who? What? I didn't look for anWhat straight who who set off fireworks? Who doesn't want it? Noyone, and I hit him. What is it? How old is it? What? Careful. Careful. Who's a hero? What, you think I think who thinks? Who's not your teammate? Kill who? Kill who? No, no, who doesn't? What? Who's little? Watch out for what? This man? Who's home? What rest assured rest assured, who rest assured what is strange what? So who do you want, who do you want, and if who wants what? What, Ai Jia, Xiao, who hurt you, what, Wei Xiao, what, you, what?

Laughing was the only action (besides watching) I did throughout the entire movie. Wilson Bond, played by Cantonese comedian (Stephen) Chow Sing Chi, works with his sister {(Sandra) Ning Kwan Yue} at a local brothel. The poor lad experience several unexpected events all in one day, like being forced to steal Empress Dowager's book of 42 chapters and almost had his "thing" chopped off because he was mistaken for an eunuch at the royal palace. Really funny and worth watching the entire length of the movie.

Slapstick Stephen Chow / Wong Jing comedy, which follows the exploits of hapless but well-meaning Wai Xiao Bao (or, er, Wilson Bond) as he manages to land himself in the middle of a power struggle between warring dynasties.

The bawdy humour is purely physical enough for the movie to be enjoyed even if you have to rely on the somewhat flaky subtitles (I was watching the Deltamac version). Naturally, Chow's more verbal comedy doesn't translate well to English, but there's still plenty to enjoy in this lively spoof, including some surprisingly good kung fu, Chingamy Yau as a cheeky princess, and a cameo by Brigitte Lin to set up the sequel. Good fun.