Tiger on the Beat

Tiger on the Beat (Lo Foo Chut Gang) (1988)

Runtime: 93 minutes

Directed by: Lau Kar-Leung

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Conan Lee, Nina Li Chi, Norman Tsui, Gordon Liu

From: Cinema City

I was happy to select this as my first rental from the Letterboxd video store. It’s not a service that will be used often but I was happy to pay more than typical for a streaming rental to see a picture that until recently was difficult to track down and thus I finally got around to something that’s been on my figurative watch list for many years.

This sure was a Hong Kong version of a Lethal Weapon big bombastic 80’s buddy cop action-comedy. That unfortunately meant “some gross misogynistic moments” that I really wish wasn’t in the film. In addition, it’s Hong Kong Humor, meaning that at least for me, it is hit or miss with the laughs. That noted, most of the movie was a sheer delight, especially after a first act where Chow Yun-Fat’s character toned down his goofball cop character.

He and Conan Lee’s loose cannon cop team up as a wacky duo to take out reprobates involved in selling drugs. Both Fat’s sister and the sister of a drug runner become integral to the plot. It’s the latter who is on the brunt end of the misogyny; I felt bad for Nina Li Chi, the actress (and the current Mrs. Jet Li) who portrayed her. Otherwise… this was what I wanted of this 80’s movie. Those ugly moments only make up a few minutes of the runtime. 

The period score and soundtrack often brought a smile to my face-either that or downright laughter. It was 80’s-riffic, from cheesy pop to tracks that resembled Tangerine Dream. 80’s excesses oozed out during the duration, especially during the action scenes that became more and more bombastic the further the viewer advanced in the plot, especially the finale that includes a wild improv moment with a shotgun and a darn CHAINSAW duel.

However, best of all: Fat’s wardrobe; it was loud and bold, colorful and hilarious. This includes the leather cap he often wore and multiple pairs of brightly-colored pants. If I was even half as cool as Chow Yun-Fat, I’d love to pull off that look. Those that dig 80’s Hong Kong, various actors known for appearing in many Shaw Brothers films, action-comedies of the time, wild stunts, and/or two dudes using chainsaws against each other as if they were swords… the restored print that I saw last night looks resplendent.