Sau foo fei lung

Fairly successful kung-fu action installment from director, actor etc. Sammo Hung. This film, (which is pretty much an action buddy-movie), has several problems, but *just* makes it over the line due to the excellent action-choreography and stunt work.

Sammo plays a cop with a Bruce Lee obsession. It's never really explained why he does, or demonstrated too clearly either - rather, he is only shown fighting in the style of Bruce Lee. This may be difficult to spot for beginners in the genre, but Sammo makes quite an excellent impersonation throughout the action sequences. The non-action scenes are played regularly, however.

I found most of the humour fairly broad and dated - Sammo's partner played by Karl Maka really is quite annoying. Lau Kar Wing however is particularly awesome as a villain. His fight sequences with Sammo are really worth the wait.

The main problem with the film is it's dramatic structure. I grew impatient with some of the plot devices used, not to mention some of the drawn-out and seemingly irrelevant ones. It is a fairly convoluted story, and Sammo's typical mix of drama, comedy and action is not as successful as say "Wheels on Meals" or "Dragons Forever".

I would have rated this higher as Sammo and Karl make a good team and the fighting is awesome but none of the other reviews note the high level of violence against women (and the two lady-boy's dressed as women) in this film which made me uneasy. For whatever reason, I have never seen it explained, Sammo does an excellent job of imitating Bruce Lee including use of Nunchaku's. There are several very funny, classic scenes such as gradually destroying Tak's Mercedes car and wrecking the Commissioner's wedding. Some of the other humour doesn't work so well. Sammo Hung and Karl Mak are obviously relaxed and comfortable in one anothers company and this comes through well. My Homg Kong Legends DVD copy has some good extras.

'Shou Hu Fei Long' (a.k.a. 'Fatty Dragon Skinny Tiger') is pretty much the traditional Hong Kong buddy action comedy. The comic tracks work very well and the action sequences are brilliantly choreographed. Sammo Hung is a skilled fighter and has a gift for comedy and his Bruce Lee impression is hilarious. Karl Maka does a fine job matching wits and step with his on screen buddy. Lau Kar Wing too is terrific in the fight scenes and an amusing villain. It is really the on screen buddy-friendship and the action sequences that are the highlights of 'Shou Hu Fei Long'. Otherwise the film is not without its share of flaws. The story lacks structure and the cinematography is dull. The dialogues are funny and there's plenty of slapstick and situational humour to keep the viewer entertained. Some of the hilarious touches include the transvestite transporter, the holiday sequence (as out of place as it is) and the sequences with skinny and his tall girlfriend. For an action buddy comedy 'Shou Hu Fei Long' is amusing to watch as long as one does not expect more.

This movie is great! In this one Sammo,once again, does his best Bruce Lee impression. You may laugh reading this but I'm serious:this guy is the best Bruce Lee impersonator ever!There are maybe four great action scenes that involve Sammo(who cares about Karl Maka???).He does his Wing Chun to perfection!!He truly is one of the best screen fighters in history: that guy doesn't care about his size: he just goes at it and this has to be seen to be believed!! He goes against Lau Kar-Wing in the finale: I was breathless! And once, he falls on the floor so violently that he literally bounces on the floor TWICE, it is so funny!! Anyways, you have to see this one to fully understand what Sammo Hung can do(you can also watch Magnificent Butcher, Pedicab Driver and Odd Couple to capture this legend at his top! Sammo's the man!!Overall this movie deserves................................................9/10

This is an OK action comedy starring Sammo Hung as Fatty Dragon and Karl Maka as Baldy Tiger, two undercover cops assigned to infiltrate a cocaine ring run by Gang Boss Wing (Lau Kar-Wing).

Sammo's fabulous martial arts fighting styles and Karl's fast-talking deadpan deliveries in his Taishanese accent make this film a pretty funny and entertaining for starters. I remembered that my parents and I laughed hard at Karl's dialog.

But, the plot does tend to drag on toward the middle of the movie. I didn't like the subplot involving Carrie Ng's informant character, as she became a victim with both the police and the villains, which made her appear she couldn't get any slack. Felt sorry for her.

It's a hit and miss action comedy, but there are better ones with Sammo Hung out there.

Grade C