Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice

The third sequel to Hong Kong's Aces Go Places, where King Kong (Samuel Hui) and Baldy (Karl Maka) goes on a mission in New Zealand to rescue Supt. Nancy Ho (Sylvia Chang), kidnapped by villains who want to obtain a hi-tech prism, made by a Hong Kong professor (Roy Chiao), that can grant superhuman powers.

Unlike the previous two movies, the filmmakers have made this a more action-packed and suspenseful sequel, doing away with the over-the-top silliness and over-imaginative plot devices. The story is fast-paced and full of adventure, from the bad guys attempting to steal the prism to King Kong and Baldy's daring rescue mission of Supt. Ho. The story delves into more deeply the bond between Baldy and Nancy and the partnership between Baldy and King Kong. Even the subplot between the unlikely romance between King Kong and Sally, the professor's daughter, is comical, yet important to the plot.

The acting is pretty good and the villains are ones you would love to root against. The cameo appearances of legendary martial artists Kwan Tak-Hing and Shih Kien is a rare treat.

Overall, it's a good action comedy with more a sophisticated action and a more compelling mission than the previous two sequels.

Grade B