From Beijing With Love (Stephen Chow, 1994)
http://www.vimeo.com/3214044So smooth.
Yes, it is a take on the Bond movie, thanks for noticing. Something along the lines of
Austin Powers, if you need to compare it to something, except more nonsensical and deadpan. And much, much more violent. Not really like
Austin Powers at all, actually. I'm not even sure I'd call it a spoof, it's more like they threw Stephen Chow and co. in the middle of a straight up spy movie (which sounds better than it is). It's a little like
Austin Powers though
Either way, it's got none of the style or wit of the more recent Chows (
Shaolin Soccer and
Kung Fu Hustle, both of which I really like) and it's not nearly as funny as those, either. But perhaps those expectations were unrealistic. It's hardly a bad movie. It's kinda funny that the bad guy's plan is to steal a dinosaur skull (this is 93-94, so I guess we're meant to assume he bought into the
Jurassic Park-generated dinosaur craze
)
It's also kinda funny to think that the good guy who is actually the bad guy manipulates the lighting in his office to regulate how evil he looks.
And
Chungking references are always fun
So it's amusing. My problem with it are the awkward tonal shifts, especially the scene in the mall — kinda hard to be in the mood for Chow's antics after a man gets shot in the head, execution-style, while holding his son in his arms.
I guess something like this is necessary, because it's what springs the dumb-looking butcher-turned-spy into action
but CINECAST! it, it was pretty tasteless. I'm doing the clips and screenshots though, and this is looking like a much better movie than it did when I watched it a couple of weeks ago, so much so that I'm not sure I should be writing about it anymore. What great action sequences.
http://www.vimeo.com/3214198Err... I guess I need to rewatch it?
Forbidden City Cop (Stephen Chow, 1996)
http://www.vimeo.com/3213777Heh, it's the same joke. Pretty good joke though, hum? Anyway,
From Beijing With Love never stood a chance. Equal parts hilarity and kung fu awesomeness...
http://www.vimeo.com/3213898...ninjas...
...aliens...
... a rat-powered sex machine (hello
Burn After Reading)...
<I can't find this screenshot>
...faceless vilains...
...impromptu award cermonies...
...— complete with first hand loser reactions —...
...I don't even remember what this is...
... and more (including a magnet-based fight that has to be seen to be believed); this is the Chow I know and love. May it, too, have a long life in the bracket!