I first bought this film on videocassette around 1990 for a couple of quid from a market stall. My friends and I were around 12 years old at the time and were already huge fans of the chop-socky genre. We'd already chalked up viewings of such Chan/Hung classics as 'Project A' (Parts I & II), 'Dragons Forever', 'Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars' and 'Wheels On Meals' (?! I know it's the wrong way round?!) in addition to lesser known cult classics as 'Mad Mission' AKA 'Aces Go Places' and 'Legend Of The Golden Pearl'.
The confused, muddled plots and badly translated dubbing were THE cornerstones of an enjoyable summer's afternoon back then - before we became more 'sophisticated' hoodlum teenagers. we used to re-wind sequences of dialogue. Again and again and again.
And again. And again until we almost wet ourselves with laughter.
This is no Kubrick classic. BUT it has a place in my heart simply because we used to laugh so hard over it. It's basically a kind of a pre-dated kung-fu 'Goonies'. But just SO much more ridiculous.
They have the most ridiculous names - Dum Dum, Pepper, Rocky, Fatty and, on my original VHS cover, one was even named Bulls**t (?!)
Their costume changes allow constant amusement. In one restaurant scene they are all decked out in some kind of bizarre cobalt coloured knickerbockers/beret combo.
Also they have a constant need to put their arms around each other's shoulders and chant "Seven Lucky Kids All For One!!! Yeaaaah!!" This is always filmed by an upward camera shot from the centre of their circle.
The other reviewer is right about the music. Like a lot of Hong Kong flicks it just fades in and out abruptly.
Check it out. If the idea of kids and adults, wearing ridiculous garments, knocking seven bells out of one another after saying things that do not make sense whilst wearing ridiculous costumes is your idea of fun - you will not be disappointed.
