Uncredited but nearly scene-for-scene remake of Francis Vebers 1989 U.S. film THREE FUGITIVES, and by extension, his far superior 1986 French original LES FUGITIFS. In the role previously occupied by Nick Nolte and Gerard Depardieu, Ti Lung stars as a former hold-up man, just moments out of prison and hounded by detective Kent Cheng, taken hostage by hapless bank robber Richard Ng (in the Martin Short/Pierre Richard role), who needs money to cure his cute daughter (Chan Cheuk-yan), who hasnt spoken since her mother died. Virtually all the major setpieces from the previous films are checked off herefrom Ngs disastrous stickup in the opening moments, to the veterinarian (Ng Wui) who tends to Ti Lungs gunshot wound as if he were treating a dog, to the popular wig gag, to Ngs disguising as a woman to rescue his daughter from protective services, but ending up giving birth to a stuffed animal in the hospitalbut there are significant differences, most notably the addition of Shirley Lui as Ti Lungs girlfriend, a part that splits a crucial lead role across two characters, thus whittling down Tis part (not to mention his interaction with the little girl, which was key to her recovery in Vebers films) and eliminating a key sequence in the originals wherein the two men and pose as man and wife to get across the border to safety. Here, Ng garners big laughs in drag, but its Lui who aids him on his mission, while Ti Lung sits around his apartment making sure Cheng and his partner dont suspect that hes home alone. Despite these needless digressions and screenwriter Sam Kwok-wings virtual Xeroxing of Vebers work, this has enough charm on which to get by. Richard Ng is ideally cast, and Tis repeated run-ins with former gang boss Lam Chung allow him to demonstrate hes still got what it takes to level a room. Memorable theme music by composed by Raymond Wong Ying-wah.
Reviewer Score: 7
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