Although I don't really like the combo of violent action and slapstick toilet humor, I must say I'm enjoying these Bruno Corbucci/Tomas Milian collaborations. Even more so, I think they are getting better! "Squadro Antitruffa" was better than "Squadra Antifurto", so that raises my hope for the eight (!) sequels yet to come.
In the previous film, the flamboyant and unorthodox Nico Giraldi (Milian) worked at the anti-theft squad, but now he's promoted to the anti-fraud department. He spends his days chasing after local small-time swindlers, until the British insurance investigator Robert Clayton arrives in Rome with a massive case. The two must work together to uncover the culprits and details of a giant fraud network that caused the prestigious British bank Lloyd of London to go bankrupt.
"Antitruffa" has more action and violent deaths than "Antifurto", the pacing is faster, and the script is a lot cleverer and more convoluted. Most importantly, there's a lot less juvenile and vulgar comedy. Sure, there are still dumb thugs that betray their hiding place by breaking wind and that sort of silly stuff, but at least the slapstick isn't incorporated in the (car)chases or random sub plots anymore. Oh, and Milian also doesn't parade around in his bright red underpants this time! Thomas Milian and the fantastic British actor David Hemmings form a wonderful pair. Especially the scenes taking place in San Francisco, where they rip off stores in imaginative ways to catch the attention of the local mafia, are very entertaining.
