Sammo Hung Movies
Unlike his frequent collaborator, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung is relatively unknown in the U.S. However, in his native Hong Kong, he is member of a renowned comedy team that includes Chan and Yuen Biao. The three have a similar theatrical background -- all three are childhood friends and received training at the Peking Opera Academy. Hung was typically a bumbling sidekick to Jackie Chan, although martial arts fans often argue that Hung is actually the better martial artist. Many would find this surprising, most likely due to Hung's appearance: overweight, with a jovial, easy-going manner. Lacking the traditionally heroic physical traits that his friend has in spades, Hung is often overshadowed by Chan, to the point that Chan has received top billing for films in which Hung was truly the star (My Lucky Stars). Beyond his slapstick onscreen performances, Hung is unrivaled in the field of film stunts and has functioned as stunt coordinator on many projects. Hung has also applied his excellent choreographic skills into a successful directing career. In a more serious performance, obviously informed by his vast experience, he portrayed a stunt coordinator opposite Michelle Yeoh in the 1997 film The Stunt Woman.~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
David Lai Tai-wai directs this period kung-fu yarn, set in the 1920s, about Fei Yu-shu (Chin Kar-lok), an undisciplined, wayward student who is about to be kicked out of school. One day, he saves a beautiful young maid named Hsiao-ju (May Lo Mei-mei) from being sold to a whorehouse by her venal master Wang (Victor Hon Kwan). Later, Fei is sent to live with his Uncle Yi (Lau Kar-leung), who runs a noodle shop. When Wang's thugs try to trash Yi's shop in retaliation, Fei's uncle reveals himself to be a master of kung fu as well. Aided by muscle bound health nut Jean Pol (Frankie Chin Chi-leung), Yi instructed Fei on the finer points of the Scorpion style of kung fu, as Fei prepares himself for his final showdown with Wang. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
After making a name for himself with the gritty action spectacular City on Fire, Ringo Lam returns to directing comedies with his film featuring Sammo Hung. When humble noodle stand owner Fat Goose (Hung) is the unfortunate witness to a mob hit, he is convinced by ambitious cop Pitt (Vincent Wan Yueng) to testify against the killer, Lam Man-fu (Tommy Wong Kwong-leung). When Lam is freed on bail, Goose soon regrets his act of civic responsibility when his apartment goes up in flames and Lam's thugs are threatening his life. It turns out that the gangsters have a series of incriminating photos of prominent Hong Kong residents, including Pitt's boss, as part of an extortion ring run by a shady attorney. Soon Pitt comes to the aid of Goose and squares off against the baddies. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung
- 1991
Sammo Hung Kam-po directs, produces and stars this comedy action thriller about Success Hung, an ace cell phone salesman who his feeling the heat from young, up and comer Miss Cheng (Carol Cheng Yu-ling). One day, Hung witnesses a mob hit. Though the panic-stricken salesman tries to tell his friends about the incident, Hung's gift for exaggeration in the past makes everyone suspicion of his claims except for a relative the deceased who comes to believe that Hung pulled the trigger. Soon two different groups of mob hitmen are out for Hung's head. As the misunderstandings multiple, Hung's wife, Miss Cheng and a female psychologist (Joyce Godenzi) wind up entangled in this mess. Soon Miss Cheng winds up in the hospital while Hung and the other two woman in a police safe house, which inevitably proves to be none to safe. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
Chu Yen-ping directs this all-star cast prison flick about cop Huang Wei (Tony Leung Kar-fai) who goes into the clink undercover to figure out how the fingerprints of a long deceased death-row inmate ended up at the scene of a recent murder. There he quickly runs afoul of gangland powers, making his life a living hell. His fellow inmates include Lung (Jackie Chan) who killed a card sharp to pay for an operation for his girlfriend; Triad (Andy Lau Tak-wah) who looking for the guy who killed his brother in jail; and Lui (Sammo Hung Kam-po) a sadsack con who regularly breaks out to visit his son. Later, Huang kills a prison guard and is sentenced to death. He soon learns that the jail's crazed warden is using supposedly executed criminals to kill crime bosses who are beyond the law. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Tony Leung Kar-Fai, (more)
- 1990
Piecing together exciting film footage of martial arts performances, Deadliest Art demonstrates the reasons for the popularity of martial arts combat in visual entertainment. The history of the art, including basics of the Eastern philosophies that govern it, provides insight along with the demonstration of various types of martial arts fighting. Touching on the skills and frame of mind necessary to perform feats of this kind, this film showcases the beauty of defense without weapons, as well as special techniques required to incorporate the use of weapons, and the ways in which the martial arts have been showcased in the film industry. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
Teddy Robin Kwan directs this lavish period action flick set in the first half of the 20th century and featuring a dazzling line-up of stars. Little Tiger (Yuen Biao) ventures from the sticks to the big city in search of his cop brother Big Tiger (Chi-cheung Lam), an honest cop working in a corrupt system. Surmising that life in the police force was not his cup of tea, Little Tiger joins the Swallow Acrobatic Troop, which he excels in because of his kung-fu prowess. When a band of thugs from Chin Hung-yun's (Sammo Hung) group attacks the troop, Little Tiger not only handily fights them back but also infiltrates their organization to destroy them from the inside. Meanwhile, Big Tiger's old flame Mary (Anita Mui) returns from America to join the revolutionaries. Big Tiger soon finds himself torn between his love of this girl and his orders to arrest all revolutionaries. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
King-sized martial arts hero Sammo Hung stars in this wild and wacky blend of action and comedy. Skinny (Karl Maka) and Fatty (Sammo Hung) are a pair of police detectives who soon find themselves on the outs with their boss when they accidentally make a mess of his wedding while chasing Tak, a big league drug trafficker. Skinny and Fatty are forced to leave their jobs, but while on holiday in Singapore, they forget their troubles when they both find love with beautiful women. However, Tak is convinced the former cops are still a threat, and when he abducts their girlfriends, Skinny and Fatty swing into action to rescue them. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Karl Maka, (more)
Kent Cheng Chuk-see directs this Chinese lunar extravaganza, which, true to this subgenre, features a huge budget, an eye-popping all-star cast, and not much of a story to speak of. The film is set in Japanese POW camp 732, which houses scores of Chinese rebels. Rakish special agent Wah (Andy Lau Tak-wah) manages to sneak out of the encampment only to be ordered back in. His mission: to find the only person who knows the number to a secret Swiss bank account which could funnel 500 billion dollars into China's war effort. Unfortunately, once he smuggles himself back in, he learns that the guy is dead. Yet all is not lost; Wah realizes that the man taught the Japanese commander's parrot the code. Meanwhile, the prisoners are told that they will all be killed after performing a comedy night for some Japanese bigwigs. Alan Tam Wing-lun, Anita Mui Yim-fong, Eric Tsang Chi-wai, Sammo Hung Kam-po, Austin Wai Tin-chi, and Gordon Lau Kar-fai among others also appear. This film was shot in the real-life camp 731 where thousand of Chinese died and the Japanese military performed horrific medical tests on subjects. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Hong Kong filmmaker (Sammo Hung) directs and stars in this film about a pair of bumbling, but likeable pedicab operators. When the two find girlfriends, one of the women turns out to be a prostitute, and the heroes run afoul of a local gangster. The film blends slapstick comedy, romance, and martial arts genres. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Famously rotund kung fu master Sammo Hung Yuen-ting stars in this bittersweet drama about Slim, New York City taxi driver who fled his native China during the height of the Cultural Revolution. Though he has only written home once during the sixteen years abroad, Slim ventures back home. Upon arrival, he learns that his sister is having a second child in direct defiance of China's often draconian birth control policy. His journey back to his village is pampered by his attractive, yet thick, cousin Jenny (Sylvia Chang Ai-chia) who has no sense of direction. Once he finally sees his family, Slim finds himself battling feelings of guilt along with feelings for his cousin. Unfortunately, Jenny is betrothed and her wedding is near. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Sylvia Chang, (more)
- 1988
Hefty martial arts star Sammo Hung directs this wacky kung-fu-comedy featuring Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. Jackie Lung (Chan) is a philandering attorney who has been hired by ruthless gangster Hua Hsien-wu (Yuen Wah), who thwarts a lawsuit brought about by the wealthy and angry Miss Yip (Deanie Yip Tak-han). Her complains center around Hua's chemical factory, which she claims is polluting the local drinking water. Hua -- who is making illegal drugs in the factory -- isn't about to give up this lucrative franchise and resorts to all manners of less-than-legal means to defend it. Jackie gets his buddies Wong Fei-hung (Hung) and Tung Tak-biao (Yuen) to convince Miss Yip to sell her fish farm. When Fei-hung moves in next to Miss Yip, he starts to seduce her while Jackie tries to attract Yip's comely lawyer (Pauline Yueng Po-ling). Of course, the scheme falls flat when Jackie and Fei-hung realize that they have actually fallen for their marks while realizing that Hua is a very evil man. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Alfred Cheung spins this madcap comedy about an embittered Canadian ex-boxer named Chien Pao (Sammo Hung), who is desperate to pay off a band of loan sharks. Desperate to come to Canada to be with her true love Peter, Jade Li (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) agrees to marry the pugilist for a price. Unfortunately, soon after Jade arrives, Peter skips town with her cash. Pao grudgingly lets her stay with him and soon the two are looking for anyway to make money, including volunteering for bizarre medical research experiments. Later, Pao agrees to fight in an illegal match with the Thai boxer who stole his wife. Though Pao eventually cleans his clock, Jade has less luck working as a mud wrestler. When they deposit their earnings, the bank gets held up and Jade is taken hostage. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This drama focuses on life at the Peking Opera School and is a loose biography of Hong Kong film stars Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Sammo Hung portrays Master Yu, the academy's brutal schoolmaster, who takes the youths through the rigorous acrobatic training. The film offers an introspective view of Master Yu, as a man who must face the fact that the institution to which he has devoted his life is fading with the passage of time. Although many of the film collaborations of Hung, Chan, and Baio have hinted at their youth together, this film attempts to depict the harsh reality. Nevertheless, Chan has criticized the film, stating that his longtime friend Hung's portrayal was actually too sympathetic an interpretation of Master Yu. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Ham-bo, (more)
- 1987
The hero of this story suffered horribly from watching his well-to-do father not only be murdered, but lose his reputation due to the manipulations of a sadistic and hateful gang boss. He hits on a scheme of getting his digs of revenge in by besting the foul fellow in a game of mah-jongg. All the action takes place in Singapore in the 1930s, where the villain owns a nightclub featuring the lovely Patricia Ha as a singer. In addition to game action, a good many fight scenes spice up the story, along with a few love scenes. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Man Chi Leung, Chin Siu Ho, (more)
- 1987
Borrowing wholesale from the Sean Connery vehicle Outland, Lo Kin directs this rare Hong Kong sci-fi flick. Set in the mid-21st century, the film centers on Sum Ying-mo (Austin Wai Tin-chi), a kung-fu master and secret agent assigned to undercover work in the remote space mining outfit Cosmos IV, where labors are forced to imbibe an addictive drug that improves workplace efficiency. It also tends to cause space madness. Sum is eventually hired as security chief of the operation and soon allies himself with beautiful Eurasian scientist Jo Jo (Deborah Sims), who is forced to make the drug. Zero-G butt kicking ensues. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1987
A Cantonese detective trained in Scotland Yard returns to Hong Kong to take on the mob in this bloody crime drama. His assignment leads him to the hit man (Lau Tak Wah), an orphan who was raised by the notorious leader of the syndicate. Although they respect each others abilities, the hit man and the cop head for a violent and inevitable showdown. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In this comedy starring its director Chan Friend, an ex-wife prevails upon her first hubby to let her stay at his home. She has some financial troubles and this will help her out a lot. However, since her ex-husband has remarried in the meantime, his current wife is none too happy with this arrangement, and she resorts to petty trickery to force her rival out. Later, it is the husband who suffers when he sees how happy his ex is with her new boyfriend. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chan Friend, Kenny Bee, (more)
Actor/director Sammo Hung gathered an international cast including the late Oscar winner Dr. Haing S. Ngor (The Killing Fields) and some of the most recognizable faces in Hong Kong cinema for this action-packed martial arts adventure. Set in 1976, the film focuses on a ragtag group of Chinese and Vietnamese prisoners trained by the United States government to carry out a potentially suicidal parachute mission into Vietnam. They are charged with destroying a cache of American weapons accidentally left behind when Saigon fell the previous year before they are recovered by the Vietcong. Led by Tung Ming-sun (Hung), the troops are escorted by a trio of hardbitten female guerrilla fighters from Cambodia (led by Joyce Godenzi), and guided by a black market peddler (Yuen Biao) and his insane uncle (Ngor). Chased by a crazed Vietnamese colonel (Yuen Wah), the team makes their way to the underground storage complex for a violent, impressively staged finale. Blending traditional genre elements with those of the American war film (notably The Dirty Dozen), the film co-stars Corey Yuen, Yuen Woo-ping, Dick Wei, and Phillip Ko, among a host of other familiar genre regulars. The dubbed version released by Tai Seng changes some character names to eliminate any Vietnamese among the heroes and cuts three sequences available in subtitled import editions from other distributors. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, (more)
Ricky Lau directs this fantastically successful horror yarn that successfully fused high-flying slapstick with creepy genre atmospherics. The film opens with Taoist priest Kau (Lam Ching-ying) along with his two hapless assistants, Chou (Chin Siu-ho) and Man Choi (Ricky Hui Koon-ying), set out to fix the Yam family's recent streak of bad fortune. The priest soon concludes that a vengeful feng shui master had tricked the family into burying its elder in a manner that was bound to reap bad luck. Yet before the problem could be corrected, grandpa comes bursting out of the ground and kills his son. When the son returns from the great beyond to reek havoc on the living, Kau eventually manages to put him to rest for good, though gramps continues to terrorize. Meanwhile, Chou has been seduced and bitten by a beautiful spirit and will turn into a vampire unless Kau comes to the rescue. This film not only launched four sequels, but the whole horror-comedy subgenre that exemplified Hong Kong cinema during the late '80s and early '90s. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
This slapstick Hong Kong action film follows the passengers of the Shanghai Express, a train running to the small village of Hanshui. Plenty of action takes place as the gallery of wealthy socialites, con men, cops, and train robbers speeds towards its destination. Directed by Sammo Hung, a master of comedic action and martial arts fight choreography, this film stars Hung, as well as a an all-star cast of Hong Kong favorites, including Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Richard Ng, and Cynthia Rothrock. Although many films in Hong Kong cinema are associated with low production values, Shanghai period pieces are often executed with a surprising level of consistency, and director Hung has succeeded in this genre on many occasions. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, (more)
This Jackie Chan martial arts actioner is a bit different than most of his films (although it does have the requisite spectacular stunts and kung fu fights). In it, he plays a police officer who is a member of a SWAT team but leaves it to join the C.I.D. division. His reason for leaving isn't to get more "action," though; it's to keep a closer eye on his feebly-minded brother Danny (director Hung). ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, (more)
This third installment in the popular "Lucky Stars" series -- directed by Sammo Hung -- finds Muscles (Jackie Chan), Kidstuff (Hung), Fung (Yuen Biao), and the gang taking a well-needed vacation in Thailand courtesy of the Hong Kong police department. Also on the trip is police inspector Woo (Sibelle Hu Hui-chang) on orders to track down a list of drug dealers from informant Ma (Melvin Wong Kam-sun). Unfortunately, Ma gets whacked by a Thai crime lord, but he tells Woo as he draws his last breath that he mailed the list to his friend in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Muscles and the gang are shaking down Lau (James Tien Chun), a drug dealer who, it turns out, is being targeted by the same baddies that killed Ma. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
This is an early onscreen collaboration of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Muscles (Chan) and Ricky (Biao) are two cops who go after a corrupt cop with ties to the Japanese underworld. When Ricky is kidnapped, Fastbuck (Hung), a childhood friend of Muscles, recruits some of their old orphanage friends, now small-time criminals, and this unlikely group goes to the aid of the cops to fight the mob. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Leung Po-chi directs and Sammo Hung produces this grim horror flick about a school field trip gone horribly horribly wrong. Mr. Cheung (John Sham Kin-fun) takes a half-dozen high school students for a two-day outing on a remote island. Soon after they are dropped off, they realize that the supposedly deserted island is inhabited by three raving hillbillies and their paranoid mother. Though the two parties at first fashion an uneasy truce of sorts, mayhem ensues when one of the loonies decides to make a captive of one of Mr. Cheung's female students, for breeding purposes. With no way off the island and their boat not scheduled to return for two days, Mr. Cheung and his charges are forced to hunker down and defend themselves. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
