Another Ricky Hui comedy by John Woo. Actually this movie is enjoyable at first as it has decent comic scenes, some enhanced by sped up camera work. So it's very silly and lighthearted. When the killers attack, the movie takes an abrupt dark black comedy turn, mixing comedy with suspense which doesn't quite work. The final scenes taking place in a insane asylum are even darker, with Johnny Koo's girlfriend turning out to be a psychotic killer. Suddenly the humor takes on a bizarre edge, with all the mental patients, the killers and Ricky and Johnny are meshed together into a chaotic mess. And it tended to go on too long as well. Is there a statement here that Woo is trying to make? Koo says: "we'll either die or go crazy--all because of money." I said it before though, John Woo's comedies are unlike any other HK films I've seen. They are interesting, but don't really work as a cohesive whole. But it does make more sense and is more watchable in the DVD version. Ricky is good in the film and Koo is okay although kind of annoying and not really fun to watch like Hui. A mixed review but I do agree that there many funny moments and scenes and themes Woo would present better in his action dramas.

I didn't think much of this film when I first saw it--it was sort of funny. But that was mainly of the bad VHS copy I had. Now that I've seen it on DVD it makes a big difference. This is mainly a mystery comedy featuring a great cast ensemble. I probably still missed some jokes, but there was a lot to laugh at in the film. Dean Shek is a hoot to watch and Sammo adds muscle in his role. Veteran Wu Ma is effective in the FK role, while Chung Fat makes a good ugly villain (those eyebrows). Eric Tsang has a small role as a Chinese gunfighter, complete with Good Bad and the Ugly music! Dashes of Kung Fu are thrown in, and the ending is an interesting mix of fisticuffs and wacky comedy. Seeing Sammo and Dean decked out in ridiculous armor costumes (for the final assault) is hysterical. I also liked the catchy music, with the repititive guitar flamenco opening theme and the bouncy Skinny Gee theme and all it's variations. All in all, this is a consistently entertaining production. I'd watch it again.

On the surface this is a basic murder mystery with touches of humor, romance and a little action, with three great leads providing good chemistry. But there's another layer to the film, and that stems from George Lam's character, who was raised in London and so isn't familiar with the elements when he goes to Hong Kong (eats the fruit from the God Kwan shrine in the precinct), nor can he read Chinese as well. He's an anglicized Chinese, hence the nickname Ball gives him: "Banana" cop (yellow on the outside, white inside--hence the film's title). It's sort of a message the film gives: identities. But at the same time Ball has a similar experience when he goes to England (doesn't like the food, can't understand why the cops don't have guns)--it's pretty interesting. Aside from that though it's a solid film with a lot of twists and turns, good development of the relationship with the two male leads. And as a bonus, there's the side story of the blind girl (played by the lovely Cherie Chung) who teaches Ball beauty is only skin deep. I like the locales used in the film along with the cinematography--the climax is photographed rivetingly.

Because of the extra substance (especially from a Cinema City film), I give this HK movie extra points of enjoyment.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable thriller, with a bit of blood and horror to mix with that Cinema City style comedy provided by Sylvia Chang and Kent Cheng. Also on hand is a very young Simon Yam, who plays a cop/old school friend of Sylvia's. Also look for Eric Tsang as a punk rocker kid in KISS makeup. The also has a definite sense of mood and style, since a lot of takes place at night. There's some good cinematography, good use of lighting and a thrilling conclusion. But it's also funny and Sylvia is fun to watch playing the tomboyish loud Sissy who changes to a sexy-voiced radio show host at night. Eddie Chan is not bad as the killer--definitely has that psycho look down--this crossdressing angle definitely has a tinge of darkness to it. I can't really see any statement being made in the movie. It's just well-made 80's thriller with good filmmaking and good cast.

This film from Korea is more of a black comedy than action, although there is a bit of action during all humor. You may realize that it’s just more than a movie about some delinquents who decide to rob a gas station not once but twice and risk getting caught. There’s a sort of political message—not an indictment of society, but a response to a society who has treated these four guys unfairly.

It's a fun ride of comedy, splashes of violence as well as drama and is a great introduction to Korean Cinema. You may not think a film that takes place mostly at a gas station would be exciting but this film provides plenty of story elements and great performance to pull it off. It’s a fresh and innovative alternative for Asian Cinema viewing.

Essentially this film is a Chinese remake of the Japanese revenge tale "Lady Snowblood", that famous action tale featuring a swordswoman out for the revenge of her parents. That film was only a couple of years old before Hong Kong filmmakers came up with the idea to do their own version of the story. This time around the weapons of choice are a little different: no hidden sword in an umbrella. Mao's Jie Lian character's weapon, besides the little venomous scorpions she sneaks onto her prey, is her own body, particularly her lethal kicks. The strength in the Japanese character was the character herself and the story she weaves. This time around there's a bit of balance between characterization and kung fu action, but by the time we get to the final reel, it's nothing but action pure in simple. Not that there's nothing wrong with that.

There's definitely a lot diabolical characters in the film, and that includes the heroine. Her plan to get revenge is pretty clever and nasty, and she doesn't think twice about slitting the throat of a villain while he's sleeping. The villains, though one step behind, try to be just as clever such as pretending to be good guys, while other good guys are pretending to be bad guys. Then there are folks stuck in the middle such as jocular thief who meets Jie Lian and ends up on her side, and turns out to be adept in martial arts as well.

Oh yes we mustn't forget about the action, and this film clearly spotlights Mao and her talents. She pulls out all of the stops with her skills at kung fu, wielding a staff or sword and her famous kicks. You can clearly see she's doing all the stunts herself (minus a handful of intricate moves but you can hardly tell). This is probably Angela Mao at her peak in the movies, especially action wise. And it's no wonder she looks good since the choreographer is Yuen Woo-Ping, who would later go on to be a formidable film director in the HK film industry, as well as choreographer in recent U.S. productions. There are several other notable action performances in the film. Leung Siu-lung does very well as one of Jie Lan's gang who decides to do the right thing. You may remember the old looking fighter known as "The Beast" in Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle"--well here he is at his peak, and you can see why he's so famous. Just take a look at how high he jump kicks in the final reel of the film! Chan Wai-Man plays one of the four killers in the film, although it's hard to recognize him with the long hair and beard. Also on hand is Hon Yin-kit as the fire breathing villain, who was famous as the main villain in Bruce Lee's "The Big Boss". And finally Sammo Hung has a small role as the villain with the beard, hairy eyebrows and sporting the nasty bladed weapons on chains in the final battle.

"Broken Oath" is a great action-oriented tale of a heroine and her quest for revenge. It's one of the best kung fu films from Angela Mao as well as from the Golden Harvest studio. Finally we can appreciate this film in all its uncut glory thanks to DVD, so there's no reason why you shouldn't get a copy for yourself!