Huo tou fu xing (1992)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Ronny Yu

Writers:

Raymond To (writer)
James Yuen (writer)

Release Date:

19 March 1992 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Cast

Biao Yuen	...	Tang Tai-Chi
Leon Lai	...	Lam Feng
Man Tat Ng	...	Bo-Bo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Monica Chan	...	Miss Kwok
Josephine Koo	...	Feng's Mother
Ka-Yan Leung	...	Tong
Fong Liu	...	Chao Wai-Cheng
Maggie Siu	...	Ko Tin-Oi
Yu Wang	...	Lin Ton

Also Known As:

Shogun & Little Kitchen (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIA

An underrated social comedy classic.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I bought this film fearing quite a bit. After all, despite having Yuen Biao, the greatest Hong Kong actor/martial artist ever, could he really star in a film with no martial arts scenes at all? (not even one kick). Well how wrong could I be?! One thing I must mention though is an absolutely incredible stunt Yuen Biao does at the beginning of the movie. It has to be seen to be believed.

Director Ronnie Yu (a brilliant Capra-esque director, also one of the best directors in the world, but largely underrated), who directed this before directing the acclaimed The Bride with White Hair, delivered here a highly enjoyable, moving, highly underrated gem which has been virtually all but forgotten. Yuen Biao is credited as the starring role, despite the film focusing more on Leon Lai. Ng Man-Tat is the kind-hearted owner of an apartment and restaurant in a poor deprived area of Hong Kong. Yuen Biao plays his uncle (also a cook) and Leon Lai a rich kid who runs away and finds the family atmosphere of the neighbourhood much more appealing.

Director Ronnie Yu directs this film Capra-esque. Highlighting important issues such as the importance of family over money gently. Ronnie Yu also draws incredible performances from the cast especially Yuen Biao and Ng Man-Tat. However one minor quibble of the movie [spoiler] is that the third section of the movie suffers due to Yuen Biao's absence. Despite the fact he turns up about 5 minutes from the end. He is actually absent again at the end of the movie which was very disappointed but to be fair the end credits focus on Yuen Biao's character.

This film was released, in Hong Kong, at the start of 1993. Where the Hong Kong public watch 'New Year' movies highlighting mostly Chinese New Year etc. Since the film's storyline is about cooking, it immediately appealed to the Hong Kong public and deservedly so.

In a day and age of high tech and big budget movies such as the absolutely awful Pearl Harbour, this film is a breath of fresh air and almost Capra-esque film. This is a wonderful, warm-hearted, touching, gem of a Lunar New Year movie highlighted by the utterly incredible scenes of Yuen Biao preparing meals as only he can.