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越軌行動 (1990)
That's Money


Reviewed by: STSH
Date: 02/04/2004
Summary: Good fight scenes

This one has a pretty cheap look about it, despite the strong cast. I'm afraid I found the non-action sequences too dull, and the lack of subs didn't help. The main issue is that I couldn't see where the story was going, even after 20 minutes. (Pity I didn't have the below review on hand at the time).

However, the action scenes, of which there are about half a dozen, were enjoyable and at times exciting. The finale is suitably action-packed, if somewhat improbable.

Keep the remote control handy, and you might just enjoy this obscure little actioner.

Reviewer Score: 4

Reviewed by: CaptainAmerica
Date: 06/04/2002
Summary: Bone-crunchingly funny!

Just as an aside before I begin this review, I'm a devout fan of Yukari Oshima, Moon Lee, and any film that features either of them or both of them! They were two of the best, if not THE best, actresses to be featured in the Girls With Guns sub-genre of Hong Kong action films from the late 1980's to the early-to-mid 90's. I know there are a lot of you nodding out there as you read this, because you're no doubt fans of these ladies, as well.

Enough praises, already, let's get on with the review!

For those of you who are fans of Yukari Oshima, it's needless to say that she was more often (much, MUCH more often) than not relegated to all-action supporting roles -- whether she played hero or villain -- and we saw only a bare minimum of her otherwise. Put simply: we never get to see her enough! That definitely isn't the case for THAT'S MONEY, an action-comedy where Yukari costars and not only kicks a lot of you-know-what, she is also given a character who's more than one-dimensional.

Yes, this is an action-comedy, and what a wild one it is! Part "Love American Style in HK" situational comedy, part full-tilt Yukari bashfest, part psycho-gigglin' triad thriller...and yes, it all mixes together into a brew that will make your head spin! The story opens with a disgruntled triad brother who doesn't just part ways with a gang led by Stuart Ong (who plays it slightly more lucid than he did in IN THE LINE OF DUTY 3 as the dying Red Army nutcase), he starts stealing the ill-gotten gains from their drug deals. As you can guess, this doesn't make Stuart's character any more stable.

The triad decides to set up a stalking horse to catch the renegade ex-brother...they find it in the form of a detective agency deep in the red (they haven't had a client in months!). The business is led by Ng Man-tat and Max Mok, with VERY able support in the form of Kara Hui Ying-Hung (Ng's sister and Max's main squeeze) and Yukari Oshima (Ng's main squeeze!). Ng and Max are made the middlemen for a deal...they aren't told what KIND of deal, of course, but the P.I.s quickly realize they might be in hot congee.

Sure enough, Ng and Max do the deal...then, as they're shadowed by Stuart's boys, the disgruntled ex-triad attacks! I can't say what happens next -- mostly because explaining would take WAY too much time -- but suffice to say a mistake of catastrophic proportions takes place wherein Ng and Max find themselves in possession of a cool million in U.S. dollars. But the triad AND the ex-brother want it back...and that's when things not only get funnier, they get a lot more exciting. Here's a hint: picture "Auntie" Kara Hui and Yukari Oshima kicking ass together.

All of the principals in this film deserve praise, both for their physical and acting skills. Kara and Yukari in particular stand out head and shoulders above the rest of the assemblage...not only is their on-screen partnership electric, it's genuine. In fact, the chemistry and cameraderie between all involved rings true. It makes for some spectacular moments when the action heats up, especially as the movie approaches it's climax, and for some honestly laugh-out-loud moments when the atmosphere changes to comedy. (Sometimes the two become indistinguishable!) One of the most hilarious moments, in fact, happens when Kara and Yukari suspect (correctly) that an interloping young lady is up to no good...to scare her off, Yukari decides to dress herself up in lesbian butch drag and make a VERY un-P.C. pass at the lady!

Do I have to say more? Put this movie on your radar now!