Fu Gui Bing Tuan
1990 / 89m - Hong Kong
Action, Comedy
3.0*/5.0*
The Fortune Code poster

Watches

March 18, 2021

3.0*/5.0*

Kent Cheng channels Jing Wong. It's no surprise to see Wong receiving writing credits here, it's a film he could've directed himself. At least in spirit, as he had a hand in so many films back then that it would've been physically impossible to direct them all. But if you're craving some Jing Wong, this is a pretty safe bet.

The Fortune Code offers prison camp folly. Think Stalag 17, only sprinkled with typical Hong Kong comedy (and Jing Wong hangups - yes there are gambling scenes). A legion of Chinese spies are trying to protect a code that gives access to a Swiss bank account, money intended for the Chinese resistance who are fighting against the Japanese invaders.

The cast is pretty stellar (Andy Lau, Anita Mui, Sammo Hung, Eric Tsang are all present), the comedy is silly but amusing and the pacing is perfect. Add a few solid martial arts scenes and some lovely randomness (the play at the end is comedy gold) and you have a pretty likeable comedy. A nice little surprise.