The film could be considered a melding of some of the most popular genres in Hong Kong. The first part concentrates on comedy, as Sammo and his buddy Mang Hoi try to pull off scams, with little success. This is probably the weakest part of the movie, though truthfully, most of the comedy is not slanted towards Westerners (many of the jokes poke fun at Mainlanders, making them out to be greedy and lecherous). Next, the film-makers introduce elements from the popular ghost movies from the region. After Sammo tries to steal and sell a dai lo's car, Mang Hoi is kidnapped and held for ransom. This brings in the ghost of Sammo's grandfather (also played by Sammo), the epynomous title character. Gramps agrees to help out young Sammo, if he in return helps get revenge for his death. This section picks up the film's pace, and there are several very funny scenes, including one with Lam Ching-Ying as an over-zealous Taoist priest bent on sending Grandpa Sammo back to the underworld.

As with many films from this time, The Gambling Ghost's last half-hour is dominated by action, and it's solid stuff. This was one of Sammo's last action-heavy starring roles (though he has started to return to the fray in his more recent work like SPL), and he seemed to want to end the movie with a bang. He fights people (including long-time HK movie villain Billy Chow and gweilo Bobby Samuels) while portraying three different characters (he also plays the dad in the family) in a scene that lasts about fifteen minutes. There's nothing terribly fancy about the fight, but it was great seeing just pure brawling versus the over-edited wire/computer-fu that passes for "martial arts" film-making nowadays from both sides of the pond.

Even though this production from Sammo is relatively minor and low-budget, it still stands head and shoulders above most of the "big event" productions Hong Kong film-makers are trying to force upon audiences nowadays. It reminded this reviewer of the days when one could practically grab just about any HK video at your local store and be guaranteed a good time. Sure, there's nothing truly great about The Gambling Ghost, but it's fun -- something which a lot of recent Hong Kong action movies have failed to be.

Paul and Leo catch her in the act and threaten to tell the cops unless they get a cut. They are soon confronted by the business men that she swindled, but they (led by James Wong) turn out to be triad leaders! They take kidnap Leo and tell Paul to deliver them $1,000,000 to them by tomorrow or he'll never see Leo again.

Paul seeks help from his father (also played by Sammo Hung), his father is a postal worker and leads a calm and collective life compared to his son. The two begin arguing and suddenly confronted by the ghost of Paul's Grandpa, yes Paul's Dads, Dad (to whom is also played by Sammo Hung!). The Grandfather was known as a excellent cheater who swindled until the day he died. He vows to help Paul get the money, but only if he can kill the man who had killed him!

Review: Sammo Hung doesn't deliver just one good performance, he delivers three in this delightful spooky/gambling/comedy!

Nini Li as you can expect provides the eye candy for the movie and she also gets the chance to kick James Wongs ass when he attempts to rape her.

The film does have alot to do with 'commies' and subjects along those lines which is a little bit confusing if you dont know your Chinese History.

Mang Hoi is at the helm as action director and does a pretty good job! some wire work is noticeable, but it doesn't spoil the movie. Sammo and Hoi bust some good moves, it's always a pleasure to watch them work too! Sammo also has a couple short duels with Chung Fat and Billy Chow.

Appearances include; Corey Yuen-Kwai and Paul Chun both make appearances at the start of the movie as Sammo's opponents in the God of Gamblers spoof, Richard Ng makes an appearance as a cop and Stanley Fung also makes an appearance as a cop too.

Lam Ching-Ying makes an appearance as a exorcist, it's what he does best. Wu Ma also makes an appearance as movie extra whose trying to win the lottery. Chung Fat and Teddy Yip make Appearances in Sammo's grandfathers business partners. Other appearances include; James Tien and Billy Chow.

Final Thoughts, fun film, great appearances and three Sammo's, I mean just wow! It's worth the money. Enjoy!

Highlights

• Paul's God of Gamblers dream
• The fight in the container site
• Grandpa signaling Paul for the 'middle' number
• Paul and Leo spending their million
• Chinese Ghost Story Spoof
• Many guest appearances