This is the fifth Stephen Chow movie I have seen, and it is yet another relentless collection of slapstick gags that you wouldn't find in even the silliest Hollywood comedies. If you are not familiar with the outrageous kind of slapstick found in Hong Kong movies, no doubt that some of the attempts at humor will take you aback. But having seen my share of Hong Kong comedies, I am now used to the outrageousness found in these movies. And with the non-stop display of gags, it's bound that I would find some of them to be amusing.
However, though I haven't seen all of Stephen Chow's movies, I think it's safe to say that this is one of his weakest. It isn't because the level of humor is below average, but it's due to the story. As I said in my subject line, the movie makes very little sense. Whole scenes seem to be missing, scenes that possibly might have filled in the gaps of the plot. Also, some scenes seem to be missing footage from their beginnings and/or endings. All this results in the movie's story being quite hard to follow at times. I don't know if this incoherent tone was due to production problems, the film being hacked down in the editing room, or a script that was badly written before filming started. Whatever the reason(s) might be, the movie ends up being one of Chow's lesser efforts, and can only be recommended to his biggest and most forgiving fans.
However, though I haven't seen all of Stephen Chow's movies, I think it's safe to say that this is one of his weakest. It isn't because the level of humor is below average, but it's due to the story. As I said in my subject line, the movie makes very little sense. Whole scenes seem to be missing, scenes that possibly might have filled in the gaps of the plot. Also, some scenes seem to be missing footage from their beginnings and/or endings. All this results in the movie's story being quite hard to follow at times. I don't know if this incoherent tone was due to production problems, the film being hacked down in the editing room, or a script that was badly written before filming started. Whatever the reason(s) might be, the movie ends up being one of Chow's lesser efforts, and can only be recommended to his biggest and most forgiving fans.