'97 Aces Go Places

As long as you try to think of it as being purely a low budget comedy you'll be OK rather than a 'sequal' to Aces Go Places.

It bears very little similarities to the older films. It tries some slapstick but fails wherever it tries to emulate the successes of the past.

No Sam Hui, no Karl Maka. None of the glue that held the original films together, no chemistry between the actors and even the sexy Christy Cheung does very little in this film deserving any merit.

Having said all this, it's not a terrible film. It's not good, but it's not a terrible film. Light hearted once off viewing if you happen to come across the DVD or the VCD but don't expect amazing comedy or a return to the good old days of King Kong and Baldy.

The cute Christy Chung plays con-artist Mandy Ling, conning triad bosses with fake paintings to raise money for the centre were her ill sister is staying. One such boss dies of a heart attack after being conned out of so much money and in his will, asks that his son, Ho Sik (Alan Tam), takes revenge for him. Sik who doesn't like violence, hires Chui (Tony Leung Chui Wai), also known as the Drunken Gun to take care of Mandy - but later on finds himself falling for her...

Chin Kar Lok and Raymond Wong's sixth entry to the classic series is completely void of any connection to the originals, and equally void of any charm and genuine comedy they had also! While the cast is great, they just seem to toddle through the film looking bored or at the very least, embarrassed at the poor comedy situations they find themselves in. Of course, its not unwatchable, but hardly their best moments of their career. I did think the brief moment of eccentric Francis Ng singing his version of the Police Story theme was funny though, with his (always present) live-band by his side!

With some nice choreography and stunt work courtesy of director Chin Kar Lok and stunt supremo, Bruce Law, the action is not as wild as the original films had offered, but still has its moments. Featuring some of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team as gangsters along with the great Ben Lam, the fights aren't anything special but are fun when they come about. Miss Chung does impress with a few moves and stunts, and looks like she's having fun. The end fight is short-but-sweet as Chung takes on the great Billy Chow with help from the Drunken Gun and Ho Sik.

With possibly the highest production value of any of the films, and a great, modern team behind it, you would think Aces Go Places '97 would have been amazing, but unfortunately not. It has a few nods to the originals such as parachuting through the city during a getaway, over-the-top reactions, and a new take on the much loved music track - but with the lack of its original stars, and no chemistry between the new, this Mad Mission falls flat!

Overall: Forced comedy and slow-burning, Aces Go Places '97 isn't unwatchable, but it isn't great either...

Aug 21

If you just watch this as a stand alone Hong Kong comedy then fine, its decent enough with some likeable big name stars.

If you go into this expecting some kind of attempt to kick off another Aces Go Places series like the ones from the previous decade with all the James Bond gadgets you will be bitterly disappointed.

I find it a mystery that this has Aces Go Places in the title. I do like it as as an independent comedy as i like most the Hong Kong comedies from this time.

The end credits have a selection of outtakes and i have to say the funniest thing in the film came here involving Francis Ng and a bin.

No Aces Go Places but still a worthy 7 out of 10.