Two retired thieves are blackmailed by ex-cop Chung into teaching at a local Youth Probation Center. There, they teach the youngsters the value of self-respect. But their criminal past is never far behind.
After retiring from the criminal life, two crooks—Bumbo (Sammo Hung) and the Owl (George Lam)—are blackmailed by a former cop, Chung (Shui-Fan Fung). Chung threatens to reveal their past deeds to the people they’ve robbed, coercing the two men into serving their community through a youth center. The Owl and Bumbo team up to search for their blackmailer while helping a group of troubled youths find jobs.
Directed by Hung, “The Owl vs. Bumbo” is a film that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. It’s a mix of comedy, action, and drama that never fully succeeds in any of them. The film opens with straightforward heist sequences—Bumbo robs a bank, and the Owl (with his gang) steals a large sum of money from a mobster. While the two sequences are well-handled, they don’t do much to elevate the film. Later action sequences, when they pop up, are more physical and much more enthralling.
An abrupt transition follows the heists. We next see Bumbo as an aerobics instructor, complete with a leotard. I guess we are supposed to find this humorous considering Hung’s physique. This transitional scene moves the story forward several years and introduces the blackmail element, but the change in tone doesn’t flow well given the setup we’ve just watched. Another scene, which works better comedically, involves Bumbo and the Owl’s initial meeting in a hotel room. Throughout the film, there are similar jumps between tones—including an amusing dance routine—with some things working better than others.
In general, the youth center element focusing on the classroom didn’t work for me. It felt a little worn out and preachy, but at least the scenes introduce viewers to Michelle Yeoh in her film debut. “The Owl vs. Bumbo” is a mixed bag. Despite the likable cast, by the end I was ready for it to be over because of its inconsistent pacing. Overall, the film is decent enough (minus a few things) but not necessarily one I’d tell people to go out of their way to view.
The film is released on Blu-ray from 88 Films with a transfer from a new 2K remaster of the original negative. The picture quality on this release is excellent, offering a film-like appearance. I noticed no dirt, debris, or unusual anomalies while viewing the film. The audio is presented via a Cantonese mono track with English subtitles. Overall, it is clear, although there is an occasional harshness that isn’t distracting.
Extras include a commentary track by David West, a discussion on the film by Ricky Baker, the original trailer, and an image gallery. Initial pressings also include a slipcover and a double-sided fold-out poster.
88 Films has put together a solid disc. I’d say the biggest selling point here is seeing an early performance from Michelle Yeoh. In short, recommended only for fans of the actors.
Available on Blu-ray™ November 10th
