Security Unlimited

Security Unlimited is my favorite movie starring Michael Hui, Ricky Hui and Sam Hui together, and it is also possibly the greatest one starring all three. Here, Chou Sai-Cheong (Michael Hui), a bitter supervisor of a Hong Kong private security company, teaches unusual guard tactics to new recruits, unknowingly being secretly observed by his new boss-in-waiting (Stanley Fung). Chou gets a demotion and his assistant Sam (Sam Hui) is promoted as the new supervisor, leading Chou, new recruit Bruce (Ricky Hui) and others on a slew of misadventures, including pursuing stowaways on a party boat, guarding Hong Kong's prized treasures at a convention and trying to recover missing government money from a bank heist.

The direction of the movie by Michael Hui is terrific, assembling a cast of characters that delivered unique Chinese humor, witty remarks and slapstick comedy. There are puns and gags in abundance; however, it is tastefully done (not nonsensical or overboard) that the audience would appreciate and be sent roaring with laughter.

Amidst all the comedy (including the hilarious scenes of Chou teaching his security class), this movie has a good taste of drama and suspense, including Chou, Sam and Bruce attempting to help stowaways from the Mainland; the subplot of the relationship between Bruce and one of the stowaways; the guys keeping watch at a memorial service; and them pursuing sword-wielding bank robbers. There is also a touching message of partnership and teamwork within all the adventures.

While there is really no main plot in the movie, all the course of events are interwoven carefully which enables the story to flow smoothly and keep the viewer engaged. There are surprises and innuendos in this movie that just has about everything in it that would entertain an audience of all ages.

Grade A