Even in the greatest stories, there are chapters that aren't quite as strong as the rest. The Olsen Gang series is no exception. After three extraordinarily ingenious films in a row(and before that, "...Runs Amok", which marked the start of the period of perfection for the franchise... I suppose this could be argued to mark the end of said period, but if my memory serves me right, the next film pulls the level up again), and one particularly amazing coup in the previous film, it was to be expected that the quality would fade somewhat. After a quite funny opening scene ending in a very memorable line, followed by a very unusual "release scene", with some playful music and editing, the film never begets few laughs. And the bigger issue; the writing. Too many new things are thrown somewhat carelessly into the mix, and few of them work or are used properly. Børge is sorely missed. Did we really need a new opposing gang? Or Bøffen made into a right-hand man with homemaker tendencies? The role of the ever-so-slightly dim hit-man with brutal methods fitted perfectly, for Ove Verner Hansen and the films. Let's face it, with the ineffective police force displayed in the series, we need a proper adversary for Egon. He is a criminal mastermind, after all. Bringing back Holm Hansen was good, but the man hardly had anything to do at all. Hallandsen was a joke and a far too easy victim. Federspiel's small character is quite good. Arthur Jensen's similar-sized role provides some of the greatest laughs. The idea of Kjeld having to do house-work seems mostly like a half-hearted attempt at playing with the briefing sequence, something that they did better in one of the previous films(I believe it was the seventh, "...on the Track", but don't hold me to that). While some fun does come from it, the addition of Paul Hagen's character Mester Hansen could easily be done without. He's not used for anything, much like most other new characters. Claus Ryskjær does garner some laughs as the neurotic computer-expert constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but he hardly adds anything. Some funny scenes and a memorable plan or two, including the one involving the Danish section of The World Bank(containing bits and machinery reminiscent of the works of the Dane Storm P.), but overall one that you can skip without missing too much. The car-chase reminds one of the earliest of the films of this series, and that's not what you want to be thinking of while enjoying these (later, better) films. I recommend this only to the biggest fans of the franchise, those who insist on watching all of the films. 7/10
