Okay, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to a time when Hong Kong action-comedy ruled the video store shelves, often found in gloriously battered boxes with explosive cover art. Remember hitting ‘play’ and being blasted by a level of pure, unadulterated cinematic chaos that felt beamed in from another dimension? If that sparks a flicker, then you definitely remember the Aces Go Places series, and its absolutely bonkers second installment, 1983’s Aces Go Places II (sometimes known internationally as Mad Mission II). This wasn't just a movie; it was a sugar rush on celluloid, a testament to the glorious excess of early 80s HK filmmaking.
### More Manic, More Mission
Picking up where the smash-hit original left off, the sequel reunites suave master thief King Kong (Sam Hui, the Canto-pop superstar who oozed effortless cool) and the perpetually flustered, chrome-domed Detective Albert Au, affectionately known as Baldy (Karl Maka, a master of physical comedy). Their reluctant partnership, often refereed by the capable Inspector Ho (Sylvia Chang, bringing grace and exasperation in equal measure), is tested once again, this time by a new robotic threat and, of course, stolen diamonds. The plot, penned by producer and Cinema City mogul Raymond Wong Pak-ming, is honestly tissue-thin, mostly serving as connective tissue between one insane set piece and the next. But let’s be real – did any of us rent this for intricate plotting?
No, we came for the action, and director Eric Tsang (yes, that Eric Tsang, known later for countless acting roles including Infernal Affairs (2002), here honing his early directorial chops) delivers it in spades. Stepping in after Tsui Hark helmed the first, Tsang leans even harder into the cartoonish energy. The film throws everything at the screen: James Bond-esque gadgets (often malfunctioning hilariously), slapstick fights, and stunt work that genuinely makes you wonder about the insurance premiums on set.
### The Beauty of Real Danger
This is where Aces Go Places II truly shines in the warm glow of CRT nostalgia. Forget polished CGI – this was the era of practical everything. Remember that feeling watching a car chase where you knew those were real vehicles screeching around corners, narrowly avoiding disaster? This movie has it in abundance. There’s a visceral thrill to the sequences here, a sense of weight and consequence often missing today. One particularly memorable sequence involves a thrilling chase with heavily armed dune buggies that feels impressively dangerous even now. They weren't faking the speed or the near misses.
And the stunts! Hong Kong stunt teams were legendary for a reason, pushing boundaries with breathtaking wirework and fearless falls. Sam Hui, already a massive star, reportedly performed some of his own stunts, adding to the authenticity. There’s a sequence involving giant robotic arms in a factory that blends legitimate menace with pure slapstick, showcasing the film's unique tonal tightrope walk. It's a perfect example of how HK cinema could blend genres seamlessly – one minute you're chuckling at Baldy's incompetence, the next you're genuinely impressed by a complex, potentially bone-breaking stunt. It’s this commitment to practical spectacle, warts and all, that gives films like this their enduring charm.
### Box Office Gold and VHS Glory
It's easy to forget just how massive these films were back home. Aces Go Places II shattered Hong Kong box office records upon release, cementing the franchise as a true phenomenon. Its blend of high-tech (for the time) thrills, broad comedy, and charismatic leads was pure cinematic catnip. Part of the fun watching it now is seeing the early 80s tech and fashion – the clunky computers, the slightly goofy villain lairs, the very… bold wardrobe choices. It’s a time capsule wrapped in explosions and pratfalls.
While the humour can occasionally feel dated or overly broad by today's standards, the sheer energy and the undeniable chemistry between Hui and Maka carry it through. Maka’s physical comedy as Baldy is often genius, a whirlwind of panicked expressions and unlikely survival. Hui, meanwhile, provides the smooth counterbalance, the effortlessly charming hero who always seems to have one more trick up his sleeve. And Sylvia Chang holds her own, often acting as the exasperated audience surrogate amidst the chaos.
### Final Verdict
Aces Go Places II isn't high art, and its narrative logic is frequently questionable. But as a slice of pure, unadulterated 80s Hong Kong entertainment, it’s practically perfect. It captures a specific moment in action filmmaking – pre-digital, high-risk, high-reward – where spectacle felt tangible and the goal was maximum fun, delivered at breakneck speed. I distinctly remember the worn-out rental copy of this at my local store; it always seemed to be checked out, a testament to its rewatchability.
Rating: 8/10
Justification: The score reflects the film's incredible success as a piece of pure entertainment within its specific context. It earns high marks for its groundbreaking (for its time and place) practical stunt work, the infectious chemistry of its leads, its sheer energy, and its status as a defining example of early 80s Hong Kong action-comedy. Points are slightly deducted for the paper-thin plot and humour that occasionally hasn't aged perfectly, but the overall package remains a blast.
Final Thought: Forget slick, modern polish; this is action filmmaking with the safety off, fueled by pure adrenaline and comic invention – a glorious relic from the days when finding the right tape felt like striking cinematic gold. Still wildly entertaining, especially with friends and maybe some pizza.