Yipao (Biao) and Taipao (Ka-Yan)(My CC shows their names as Lil Jon and Big Jon) are the Hope and Crosby of the countryside, if Hope and Crosby knew Kung-Fu. These two run every kind of scam possible to make money. They are robbed by The Beggar (Sammo)twice, while arguing over their bounty. After running afoul of a casino owner and ending up penniless, they try a scam at a restaurant to get food. It backfires as they get played by their "sucker", The Fox(Chia Yung Li), who not only takes the Jade ring Taipao wears, but also roughs the Duo up pretty well. The boys develop an elaborate scam involving The Fox taking them on as students. The Fox trains them to work as a team. The Fox uses them to eliminate his old partners, Matchmaker and The Painter. The duo heads into town and attempts another scam against the Casino owner. Their scam is revealed by The Beggar, who also steals the Duo's money. The Duo manages to beat the Casino owner's minions this time, but still end up penniless. Yipao returns to The Fox's home, in time to overhear a conversation between The Fox and a policeman called The Tiger, in which The Fox's true nature is revealed. Yipao watches, from a hiding place, as his "master" kills The Tiger. Taipao returns to the house shortly after the murder and unintentionally alerts The Fox to the fact Yipao knows his true identity. This leads to some amazing fighting in which The Fox tries to kill Yipao. Taipao gives his own life to save his brother. Yipao goes on the run and encounters The Beggar, who takes Yipao on as a student. The training is humorous to watch. The jump roping scene is incredible. I rewound the movie to watch it three times. The final fight scene is worth every moment. The Monkey style The Beggar and Yipao use is humorous and powerful against The Fox's snake style. Even in battle, The Beggar and Yipao find humor. I always feel sorry for the restaurant owners' in these movies. Their places always end up in shambles. I give this movie an 8 out of 10 because the fight scenes are incredibly impressive. The humor seals it. Another winner for Sammo and troupe.
Review of Knockabout
