The Return of Pom Pom (1984) User Reviews

Moderately amusing comedy, but a waste of Kara Hui

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 9 September 2008]

Richard Ng and John Sham play two bumbling Hong Kong policemen who nevertheless get their job done, in their own unorthodox ways. When their former superior officer has some money and court evidence he was responsible for stolen from him, our cops decide to help him find out who did it. Things get complicated when Sham falls for the daughter of their prime suspect, a stuntwoman (Kara Hui).

I have to admit right away that I have never seen another "Pom Pom" film so far (apparently, there are quite a few of them). My main reason for checking this one out was the presence of Kara Hui. Sadly, her undeniable action skills are wasted in this film. She does look absolutely LOVELY, but her role could have been filled by many other lovely Hong Kong actresses (there's certainly no shortage of them!). Unlike the "Lucky Stars" films (in which both leads participated), "Return Of Pom Pom" is almost exclusively a comedy and has next to no action. If you can live with that, and with the relative waste of Kara Hui, the comedy is moderately amusing, and there are even some laugh-out-loud parts. (**1/2)

Anything goes sequel

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 30 October 2020]

THE RETURN OF POM POM is a sequel every bit as wacky and exaggerated as the first film. Richard Ng and John Sham are back for another near plotless movie involving the usual mix of incompetent police procedural material, ineffectual romance and the usual apartment-based hijinks and comedy. This time around, there are fun supporting turns from the ever-brilliant Kara Hui and Lam Ching-Ying, playing a father and daughter team gunning for Philip Chan, who also directs. Although there aren't as many laugh-out-loud moments as in the first film, overall this is solid fare, fast paced and frenetic, an anything-goes type of comedy.

Pom Pom's first sequel.

[OllieSuave-007 · 8/10 · 17 January 2015]

This is the first sequel to the Hong Kong action comedy Pom Pom. Richard Ng and John Sham return as detectives Chau and Beethoven, who join forces with their boss, Inspector Chan (Philip Chan), to find the notorious Flying Spider (Ching-Ying Lam), who is suspected of stealing government money Chan was responsible for.

As with many Hong Kong comedies, after the main plot is identified, many subplots are inserted to give the film added intrigue. This is evident in this film, but the direction by Philip Chan keeps the plot pretty engaging and fun. Ng and Sham continue their sometimes frustrated partnership, but their teamwork and chemistry continue to be delightfully depicted and funny to watch - from them trying to prevent a pathetic mad man from jumping off a building to them helping Chan chase down the Flying Spider.

The subplot of Beethoven falling in love with Flying Spider's daughter, Mimi (Kara Hui) (he doesn't know she is the criminal's daughter) bring added intrigue to the plot. The marriage of Chau and Anna (Deannie Yip) bring some charm to the movie and resulted in some funny love on the rocks.

The acting is spot-on and not over-the-top, and there's plenty of funny slapstick humor and action. It's a fine Hong Kong comedy and was also a favorite in my childhood days. However, I just wished that ***spoiler ahead*** Beethoven would have reprimanded Mimi when he found out the truth about her; it seemed the plot unraveled a bit toward the end. ***spoiler ends***

Grade B

Uninspired Nonsense

[crossbow0106 · 21 August 2011]

Beethoven and Chau are back, but this time the story makes no sense at all. They play two bumbling cops like before, but since this is the second film, any charm of the characters is already spent, so you get a somewhat fast paced movie about the switching of money stretched out into a movie short 88 minutes but still lasting too long. The females, like the first film, are mainly wasted in this film as actresses and the silliness is amplified, but not the inventiveness. Basically, if you liked the first Pom Pom you may want to see this, but don't expect much at all. Not horrible, just not at all worthy of your time unless you want to see their further adventures.