The reason why this is one of my all time favorite films is because it portrays what I like in cinema: a film that acts serious but doesn't take itself seriously at the same time--an example being that the film's story is very dramatic but the action is overdone in terms of sarcasm, asininity and over-the-top gore. The fact that someone can punch a hole in someone else's body is downright funny and entertaining. And the fact that some of the FX are evidently facecious give it its prime enjoyment. The gore level in this film is at "Dead Alive's" level. Nam Nai Choi, one of my all time favorite directors, could have been the next Herschell Gordon Lewis or Lucio Fulci, but unfortuantely his film carrer ended with the all so entertaining film THE CAT which was made after RICKY.

Gore film fans will like it, but people who are infatuated with anything relevant towards Hollywood and big budget films will hate it, as well as people who prefer films to be fast-paced, because this film sort of lacks pacing. But then again who cares? BEST FILM EVER!!

pros:

• great colors and lighting which gives it this
• sorta comic book/anime effect
• exceptional gore and tortue scenes
• great villians
• funny ass dubbed dialogue"he told Rikki about the poopies!"
• funny ass characters(especially the jailhouse snitch character who wets himself when scared)
• great comic book style fights sequences
• excellent pacing
• trashy musical score

Cons:

• Why the name changes on the dubbed track?
• Awkward pauses at the beginning of the film when the prisoners are being checked in(they coulda at least included the intros subtitled on the non-english tracks as well)
• No prison b1tches-Look, I know chinese prisons arent run like Oz, hell-most US prisons arent run like that either but c'mon, whats a prison movie with no prison b1tches? For awhile I thought that tongueless kid might be but nope. Not even that cute chauncey lookin' villain was but at least he had good kung fu skills so maybe that explains it.
• They didnt even try using that lil' fat kid. If he was anything like his pa he woulda beat Rikki retarded and prolly took his manhood too.

But, all in all its a great party flick that'll have you and your friends laughing with plenty of "oh sh1t! lookit that!" scenes thrown in for good measure....

Just make sure you're at least know what you're in for and dont think about it so much. It aint like this is Shawshank Redeemption or anything. Just sit back and enjoy.

There are many flaws in this movie. The story of Ricky turns out to be not much of a story at all, just an excuse to splatter some poor bastards. The sets are very cheap and generic, the splatter effects are very amateur, and the acting is horrendous.

But this movie makes up for all of this with it's pure fun. The way Ricky disembowels and destroys each of his enemies is a treat to watch. What the film makers lacked in effects they made up for with the sheer creativity of the violence. There are several ways people are disposed of that you've never seen before.

This is one of those strange movies where you can't really explain why you like it so much, you just do. You are just sort of drawn to it. While it was made in 1992, it somehow has that old school charm that movies like Drunken Master and Shaw Bros. give you. You just like it for some reason.

This film has become a cult classic, and rightfully so. The low budget splatter effects, laughable acting and funny situations will win you over. I call this movie a cross between the gore of Bad Taste with a Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris movie. If you are a fan of ultra violent gorehound movies and you don't really need Oscar worthy acting and great sets, then definitely check this one out.

This is simply a movie to sit down and enjoy the blood and guts and dismemberment. It's not Titanic...it's a movie where in the first few minutes a gut gets a two by four nailed to his face, complete with rubbery fake looking effects. That's what you like about this movie if you like it, however. All gorehounds, this one should be on your must have list of ultra violent movies. Well worth a look if you like these kind of flicks, which I myself do. Other similar recommendations: Bio Zombie, Bad Taste, Ichii the Killer( probably the sickest movie ever), Brain Dead, Street Fighter series, Fist of Fury.

Obviously someone forgot to mention to the "film critics" that this IS a kung fu/splatter/dark humor movie...And that it IS meant to be horrible and over the top to the point of laughter... I mean come on, a guy who ties his "broken sinews" back together with his teeth and fingers?? Or a guy who rips his own guts out to try and strangle another only to be defeated by one simple punch??

It's obvious this movie was meant to shock people, then ease the shock with a little comic relief via some fat stereotypical asian kid. I mean if you really want to take this movie seriously and complain about how weak the plot is or how fake the gore looks, then by all means go right ahead..

But seriously here, if you're the kind of person who likes to put on a DVD for a few friends so you can laugh and NEVER FORGET it... this one is definitely for you.

I mean, the infamous head explosion scene should be worth [the price of the DVD] alone...

The story isn't that interesting, or important, though some the characters are kind of cool (they're taken from a Japanese manga). What really makes the film stand out is the gore, which is completely over the top. If you've seen the anime/manga Fist Of The North Star you might have some idea what to expect - bodies are mashed by the power of Ricky's punch. The effects are pretty good - stomach turning stuff. The film is directed by Nam Nai Choi, whose films I generally like (Peacock King, Seventh Curse and um Erotic Ghost Story (not so hot)). It's basically an exercise in special effects, but it succeeds in bringing the manga to life.