| Eric Tsang's first ventures into directing (after having been employed on various behind the scenes gigs in the capacity of stuntman and screenwriter) to this day keep and should be receiving praise. Both The Challenger and The Loot were independent productions but the latter can proudly stand beside any of the studio greats and not be ashamed. Much having to do with Chan Siu Leung's excellent martial arts choreography that also has the advantage of key players having been directed by the great Lau Kar Leung at one point.
Tsang also keeps a rather involved plot afloat quite well and while David Chiang is playing it broad mostly, when he eventually teams up fully with Norman Tsui, the movie gets a lot of momentum and even strays away from the typical comedy of the period to deliver actual wit. Best sequence being the obligatory expository one where the duo struggles to keep the a man alive in order for the plot to be AAAALMOST fully exposed. Also starring Phillip Ko, Lily Li and Kwan Yung Moon. |
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