All the Wrong Spies (1983)

Fresh and Exciting

best movie i've ever seen.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Wo ai Ye Laixiang (All The Wrong Spies) is the sequel to Gui ma zhi duo xing (All The Wrong Clues), where in Hong Kong, Circa 1940s, World War II, private detective Yoyo (George Lam) and sometimes friend Inspector Teddy Robin (Teddy Robin Kwan) join a resistance group during the Japanese occupation. Their goal is to steal the formula to the atomic bomb from Commissioner Fat Chicken (Paul Chin) before it ends up in the Japanese emperor's hands.While All The Wrong Clues was a mediocre, dreary and boring movie, this film is much more exciting with its thrilling World War II backdrop plot, colorful and humorous characters, and a catchy music score, with songs sung in the background by George Lam.The cinematography by Johnny Koo was well done, capturing the essence and atmosphere of the 1940s and the direction by Teddy Robin Kwan was also well done, keeping the plot momentum going. His character in the movie, though, was annoying at times, always cocky, trying to impress the girls and hardly showing any rapport with George Lam. Lam, on the other hand, was spot-on as a somewhat clumsy but daring detective and his female counterpart, resistance leader Bridgit (Brigitte Lin), is a firebrand beauty with a skillful set of martial arts. From her dance sequence during the grand banquet to the action scenes in the hideout, she has a pretty nice screen presence. Too bad the chemistry between her and Lam weren't more serious.The Japanese occupation was a sensitive and dark chapter in history, but this movie portrayed that in a courageous but lighthearted away. It's a fun-filled movie for those who enjoy Hong Kong cinema.Grade B+

This is the story of Yoyo (George Lam), who is hired to be the go between of a Jewish scientist an an American who is going to have the secret to the atomic bomb during World War 2. This is a silly film, all over the map. Its kind of like the Leslie Nielsen spoofs that proliferated the movie screens for years. That is not necessarily a bad thing however, and the inclusion of the beautiful Brigitte Lin is very welcome. She is probably the best thing about this film, as she makes you take notice, and not only for her beauty. A nonsense 90 minutes plus film, its a somewhat fun way to pass the time. You're not expecting profundity and you're not going to get it. It aims low ans succeeds. If you like spoof films, go ahead and try it.

Stolen Nazi atomic bomb secrets are in hot demand. Meant to be delivered to an American spy, they end up with a Chinese collaborator who intends to give them to the Japanese. A private detective (George Lam) is hired to insure delivery to the American. Brigitte Lin is his ex-girlfriend who is now with the collaborator. Comedy is what comedy does and this movie didn't do it for me. The film is pure corn and slapstick all the way through. My partner laughed continuously while it was all I could do to stay awake. Don't remember seeing anything original, as the gags seemed to be copied or reworked from earlier movies. An example is when Lam, hired to pass along atomic secrets, stops to pour a glass of milk. He spends a minute (seemed like an eternity) pouring from a large full pitcher into a small glass, only to end up with an empty glass. On the positive side this movie has Brigitte Lin. I found myself paying much more attention after she appeared wearing a black form fitting outfit. A welcome addition and with a different leading actor this could have been a much better movie. She dominated each scene she appeared in......especially the ones where she used a whip. This movie may not be for everyone, but you can't go wrong if you enjoy a heavy mix of silliness with your comedy. Also, this movie is a must for Brigitte Lin fans. Besides being a joy to watch, she seemed to be having tremendous fun cutting loose. I've never seen her laugh or smile so much in a movie.