Although, this Hong Kong comedy movie produced by Television Broadcasts Limited, marks the first time, Wong Cho Lam, Louis Yuen and Sze Chit Lee has work together outside of the semi entertaining variety show, 'Fun with Liza and the Gods'; the film was still pretty hard to wrestle with. I found the concept of a down on their luck, group of friends, starting their own street wrestling business, only to be challenge by a bigger international promotional company, to a one on one, semi real street fight, horribly told. After all, the movie written by social activist, Wong Yeung Tat was not very focused with the pro wrestling concept. The story was all over the place. One minute, it's a series of mostly very unfunny jokes and gags of the trio losing their jobs like cemetery plot salesperson or trying new jobs like singing in drag. Overlap with an overall focus on exposing the outrageous housing problems and the high unemployment rates of Hong Kong. Then, the next minute, it's about making fun of that country's cinema and television programs including parodies of Chinese Gun Fu and Martial Arts genre films with a series of unrelated skits. Because of these unconnected events intermixing with each other with such lousy editing and poor transition. The pacing for this film directed by Chung Shu Kai was way off. It takes forever for the pro wrestling sequences to even start to take form. 30 minutes in. To add to the insult, it become very clear, as the movie goes on, that the writer doesn't know anything about pro wrestling. Especially, when it comes to the decision to make the contests in the film seem legit or not. I don't like how the movie expose how the fights are athletics mixed with theatrical performance, under predetermined outcomes to heighten entertainment value; only to forget about it, toward the end of the movie. There is no need to add more suspense, between the trio and the American wrestlers, when it didn't need to. It came across as highly anachronistic, jarring nor make any sense in the story, they were originally telling. Despite that, I have to give the three actors, mad props for all the stunt work, they were able to pull off. The way, they did wrestling moves were impressive. Even if, it looks highly cartoony and fake. Also, I didn't mind, the over the top slapstick montage, the boys had with their trainer played by comedian, Eric Tsang training for the match. Those scenes involving him, were some of the best moments in the film. As for the finishing move, the trainer taught them; a nod to the video game, 'Angry Birds'. I felt that it was bit oddly place, but absurd enough in the way, it was execute that it felt somewhat funny to see. In the end, the main characters were compelling enough to root for, with each one of them, has something to prove, such as being a good lover, husband, and father. Still, I wasn't really invest in the East versus West storyline as I should had. Maybe, it's because, the filmmaker lied about the posters of Bobby Lashley and Batista making an appearance, when they didn't or the fact, I knew in advance that regardless if the boys won or not; they still got paid. In truth, the sentimental dramatic of that fight, seem a bit forced and last minute. It didn't match well with the overall silly antics, the film was portraying. Unfortunately, the climax wasn't help, by the lack of charisma and depth, when it comes to the trio's in ring persona. Despite that, the boys did shine in the other parts of the movie; even if, most of their act, felt like rehash from their variety show, and from Hui Brothers comedies from the 1970s and 1980s. They did make me laugh. In particular, when the trio serve as extras in the filming of a major star's period drama. That was funny. However, sadly, not all the jokes landed with me. Some of the humor were so cringe worthy that I had to face palm myself, because I felt embarrassed for allow myself, to watch this extremely low brow movie. Call it, subjective, or a failure in communication due to the language barrier, but sexual assault jokes like the one toward the beginning of the film, doesn't make me laugh at all. Then, there are reference jokes that were so out there that it really does require the viewer, a knowledge of Hong Kong culture, such in the case, where when they met the mysterious public service announcement heroine. Not only that, but when the film has star cameos making fun of some their most memorable performance in their respective filmographies. Scenes like that, will likely be lost on a foreign audience. Then, there is the problem with translation. The English subtitles don't accurate attempt to show the mannerisms and voice quality of the Cantonese language that well. A good example of that, is the scene where one of the characters is doing local celebrity impression in a police's interruption room. Every one of them, sounds the same in English. Despite that, the movie does have a really cool easy to listen to, soundtrack. The song 'We are champions' was very catchy. In the end, I still can't recommend this movie. It's like taking a body slam. Its look fun, but it hurts really bad, afterwards. This film is not really worth getting your hands on.
4 Reviews
Hello there, buddies! Unfortunately, this foreign language movie is not good at all. It was really, really dumb.
ironhorse_iv9 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Madcap slapstick humour done classic Hong Kong comedy style!
moviexclusive7 August 2011
Besides the EU spin off 'Turning Point', the recently revived Shaw Brothers and TVB production shingle have specialised in slapstick comedies centred around real-life circumstances facing the average Hong Kong citizen. Thematically therefore, their latest film 'The Fortune Buddies' bears many similarities to their Chinese New Year offerings '72 Tenants of Prosperity' and 'I Love Hong Kong'- in fact, director Chung Shu Kai is behind all three films, and this bears the trademark madcap humour of his earlier two.
But repetition isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, especially if it is as laugh-out-loud hilarious as 'The Fortune Buddies'. Indeed, the film, named after its trio of male stars who have shot in fame of late as the 'Fuk Luk Sau' or 'Fortune Buddies' in English, is great jaunty fun and boasts an irrepressible verve that will keep you entertained from start to finish- even though the script by Chung and Wong Yeung-Tat does wear thin especially towards the finish.
Much of the film's jolly energy comes from the charismatic 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio of Wong Cho-Lam, Louis Yuen and Johnson Lee. Their collaboration originated from a variety show with the grand dame Liza Wang called 'Liza and the Three Gods', but their popularity has since skyrocketed thanks to their cross-dressing showmanship. Anyhow, this movie marks the first time that they are teaming up outside of variety shows and concerts, and it is ample proof that the trio have plenty of talent outside of singing, dancing and cross-dressing.
In the film, Wong, Louis and Johnson are three bosom out-of-work buddies Lam Luk, Fook Cheung and Jit Sau who unite to help Lam raise $500,000 in order that he be able to marry his long-time girlfriend (Fiona Sit)- a condition set by his practical soon-to-be father-in-law (Eric Tsang). A string of odd jobs and amusing gags ensue as they ham it up as property agents, security guards, drivers and part-time actors- in particular, the latter which sees them as 'extras' in the filming of a Michael Tse (aka 'Laughing Gor') drama and bungling their roles on the set is simply uproarious.
Of course, true to their origin, the 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio also take to the busy Mongkok streets to put up a cross-dressing performance in plain sight- and we admit that this being the first time we have seen them in drag, the results are pretty entertaining. Eventually, they stumble upon accidental fame as amateur wrestlers entertaining the crowds along Sai Yeung Choi Street- though a run-in with a renowned wrestler from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) turns their phony wrestling performances deadly serious.
But before we get there, Chung mines the trio's perfect comedic timing for some downright hilarious slapstick gags which left us in stitches. In fact, the 'Fuk Luk Sau' reminds us of another popular trio in the 1970s and 1980s that also made its fortune in side-splitting farces playing ordinary Hong Kong folk. If you haven't already guessed it, we're referring to the Hui brothers- and it is truly to Wong, Louis and Johnson's credit that their team effort is as good as the classic bunch of Michael, Sam and Ricky Hui.
Unfortunately, their charisma isn't quite enough to distract from the patchiness of the storytelling, which is particularly apparent towards the last third of the film when their characters are pitted in a wrestling challenge against the WWE wrestling team. There are clear allusions here to the award-winning 'Gallants', but Chung decides to exploit the finale as an East-versus-West contest not unlike the 'Ip Man' movies. It is strangely anachronistic to say the least, and this clumsiness on the way to the obligatory happily-ever-after ending is made only clearer because of the film's melodramatic tendencies.
Nonetheless you're still likely to leave with a big smile on your face- thanks to the amusing turns by the 'Fuk Kuk Sau' trio, as well as a bevy of TVB stars who lend their star power in cameos that poke fun at some memorable performance in their respective filmographies. Some comic references specific to the Hong Kong people will likely be lost on a foreign audience, but the good-intentioned message of perseverance and hope amidst the tough economic and employment climate still rings out loud and clear.
So too the amusing physical and verbal gags, performed with zany comic energy from the 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio to great slapstick effect. Sure, 'The Fortune Buddies' is just as uneven as '72 Tenants' and 'I Love Hong Kong', but it also has bits that rival the humour in those two films, hearkening back to the Hui classics like 'Games Gamblers Play' (鬼馬雙星), 'The Last Message' (天才與白痴) and 'The Contract' (賣身契). Bottom line, this is great fun and great entertainment that will tickle your funny bone silly.
But repetition isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, especially if it is as laugh-out-loud hilarious as 'The Fortune Buddies'. Indeed, the film, named after its trio of male stars who have shot in fame of late as the 'Fuk Luk Sau' or 'Fortune Buddies' in English, is great jaunty fun and boasts an irrepressible verve that will keep you entertained from start to finish- even though the script by Chung and Wong Yeung-Tat does wear thin especially towards the finish.
Much of the film's jolly energy comes from the charismatic 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio of Wong Cho-Lam, Louis Yuen and Johnson Lee. Their collaboration originated from a variety show with the grand dame Liza Wang called 'Liza and the Three Gods', but their popularity has since skyrocketed thanks to their cross-dressing showmanship. Anyhow, this movie marks the first time that they are teaming up outside of variety shows and concerts, and it is ample proof that the trio have plenty of talent outside of singing, dancing and cross-dressing.
In the film, Wong, Louis and Johnson are three bosom out-of-work buddies Lam Luk, Fook Cheung and Jit Sau who unite to help Lam raise $500,000 in order that he be able to marry his long-time girlfriend (Fiona Sit)- a condition set by his practical soon-to-be father-in-law (Eric Tsang). A string of odd jobs and amusing gags ensue as they ham it up as property agents, security guards, drivers and part-time actors- in particular, the latter which sees them as 'extras' in the filming of a Michael Tse (aka 'Laughing Gor') drama and bungling their roles on the set is simply uproarious.
Of course, true to their origin, the 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio also take to the busy Mongkok streets to put up a cross-dressing performance in plain sight- and we admit that this being the first time we have seen them in drag, the results are pretty entertaining. Eventually, they stumble upon accidental fame as amateur wrestlers entertaining the crowds along Sai Yeung Choi Street- though a run-in with a renowned wrestler from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) turns their phony wrestling performances deadly serious.
But before we get there, Chung mines the trio's perfect comedic timing for some downright hilarious slapstick gags which left us in stitches. In fact, the 'Fuk Luk Sau' reminds us of another popular trio in the 1970s and 1980s that also made its fortune in side-splitting farces playing ordinary Hong Kong folk. If you haven't already guessed it, we're referring to the Hui brothers- and it is truly to Wong, Louis and Johnson's credit that their team effort is as good as the classic bunch of Michael, Sam and Ricky Hui.
Unfortunately, their charisma isn't quite enough to distract from the patchiness of the storytelling, which is particularly apparent towards the last third of the film when their characters are pitted in a wrestling challenge against the WWE wrestling team. There are clear allusions here to the award-winning 'Gallants', but Chung decides to exploit the finale as an East-versus-West contest not unlike the 'Ip Man' movies. It is strangely anachronistic to say the least, and this clumsiness on the way to the obligatory happily-ever-after ending is made only clearer because of the film's melodramatic tendencies.
Nonetheless you're still likely to leave with a big smile on your face- thanks to the amusing turns by the 'Fuk Kuk Sau' trio, as well as a bevy of TVB stars who lend their star power in cameos that poke fun at some memorable performance in their respective filmographies. Some comic references specific to the Hong Kong people will likely be lost on a foreign audience, but the good-intentioned message of perseverance and hope amidst the tough economic and employment climate still rings out loud and clear.
So too the amusing physical and verbal gags, performed with zany comic energy from the 'Fuk Luk Sau' trio to great slapstick effect. Sure, 'The Fortune Buddies' is just as uneven as '72 Tenants' and 'I Love Hong Kong', but it also has bits that rival the humour in those two films, hearkening back to the Hui classics like 'Games Gamblers Play' (鬼馬雙星), 'The Last Message' (天才與白痴) and 'The Contract' (賣身契). Bottom line, this is great fun and great entertainment that will tickle your funny bone silly.
- www.moviexclusive.com
HK Neo Reviews: The Fortune Buddies
webmaster-301722 November 2011
TVB is no stranger to making relevant and entertaining HK movies. Once again starring Wong Cho Nam, Eric Tsang and everyone else you can name in TVB. It's rare for HK cinema nowadays to produce a movie that is for the HK audience, about HK culture, life and people. The Fortune Buddies stay true to this and in turn produce a movie that is incoherent, yet fun, uneven yet interesting and mo-lei-tau yet entertaining. In a way, this film cannot be assessed as a movie, but rather as a snapshot of fun that HK people need and require. All in all, The Fortune Buddies is one of the better HK films to come out of the tiny territory and that's an achievement alone. Definitely worth viewing as a mindless, painless, fun time killer event
Neo rates it 7/10.
Neo rates it 7/10.
- www.thehkneo.com
A Nutshell Review: The Fortune Buddies
DICK STEEL11 August 2011
Fortune Buddies star the trio of Louis Yuen, Wong Cho Lam and Johnson Lee as down and out friends Fook, Luk and Sau respectively, in a comedy that contain the usual self-deprecating jokes played on the main cast as well as the cameos (Michael Tse of Laughing Gor bearing the brunt of most slapstick), but surprisingly is stinging and barbed in its veiled criticism about Hong Kong society, that I think hey, something similar could also be made here that is equally critical of our own. After all, it'll be something to laugh at ourselves, especially when we step back and realize that our ugly behaviour can make for some good comedy.
What I had enjoyed about Fortune Buddies isn't its rather absurd storyline, but the various disparate scenes crafted and then glued together to form a narrative of sorts that reflects some quirky societal ills, issues and the state of affairs, played for laughs naturally since this is a comedy after all. For instance, there's the crazy spiralling property prices that Hong Kongers have to deal with, and an apartment is something Luk has to provide for his girlfriend (Fiona Sit) as a condition laid out by her dad (Eric Tsang) before he can marry her, but this spells a tall (pardon the pun) for Luk as he can't hold down a regular job given the relative high unemployment rate.
Even more no holds barred statements got made more than once about how societal has degraded and people falling into idiocy, that mirrors ironically how badly crafted films can find box office success easily as compared to more serious fare. But I digress, though it was tempting to reflect upon how this was somewhat a self fulfilling prophecy especially when film financing doesn't come easy these days, and films as these still continue to get funding to be made.
The film heavily relies on the leading trio to bring about the laughs as they lampoon various situations and dress up, in drag even, to elicit a chuckle from the audience. Each character they play come with baggage and an objective to achieve before the film ends, such as Fook needing to gain some self-respect from his estranged gangster chief wife, Sau trying to tackle his dream girl (Samantha Ko), and Luk needing plenty of cash to finally get parental consent for his girl to marry him. These monetary and self-respecting requirements all get worked into an Ip Man 2 parallel spoof, where the trio encounters kung fu masters, and getting into the fighting ring with some Caucasian wrestlers.
As always, a number of jokes seemed to have lost their flavour and punchlines given the unnatural translation from Cantonese to Mandarin, which is a pity because it made the entire film look quite dull. Take for instance Johnson Lee's mimicry of the four heavenly kings, where in the Cantonese trailer you'd appreciate the very accurate attempts both in mannerisms and voice quality, but in the Chinese dubbed film, made it look extremely artificial. I'd say it's about time Hong Kong films are given back some respect in being allowed to screen in their original language track here.
What I had enjoyed about Fortune Buddies isn't its rather absurd storyline, but the various disparate scenes crafted and then glued together to form a narrative of sorts that reflects some quirky societal ills, issues and the state of affairs, played for laughs naturally since this is a comedy after all. For instance, there's the crazy spiralling property prices that Hong Kongers have to deal with, and an apartment is something Luk has to provide for his girlfriend (Fiona Sit) as a condition laid out by her dad (Eric Tsang) before he can marry her, but this spells a tall (pardon the pun) for Luk as he can't hold down a regular job given the relative high unemployment rate.
Even more no holds barred statements got made more than once about how societal has degraded and people falling into idiocy, that mirrors ironically how badly crafted films can find box office success easily as compared to more serious fare. But I digress, though it was tempting to reflect upon how this was somewhat a self fulfilling prophecy especially when film financing doesn't come easy these days, and films as these still continue to get funding to be made.
The film heavily relies on the leading trio to bring about the laughs as they lampoon various situations and dress up, in drag even, to elicit a chuckle from the audience. Each character they play come with baggage and an objective to achieve before the film ends, such as Fook needing to gain some self-respect from his estranged gangster chief wife, Sau trying to tackle his dream girl (Samantha Ko), and Luk needing plenty of cash to finally get parental consent for his girl to marry him. These monetary and self-respecting requirements all get worked into an Ip Man 2 parallel spoof, where the trio encounters kung fu masters, and getting into the fighting ring with some Caucasian wrestlers.
As always, a number of jokes seemed to have lost their flavour and punchlines given the unnatural translation from Cantonese to Mandarin, which is a pity because it made the entire film look quite dull. Take for instance Johnson Lee's mimicry of the four heavenly kings, where in the Cantonese trailer you'd appreciate the very accurate attempts both in mannerisms and voice quality, but in the Chinese dubbed film, made it look extremely artificial. I'd say it's about time Hong Kong films are given back some respect in being allowed to screen in their original language track here.
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