A pair of likable thieves, Owl (George Lam) and Bumbo (Sammo Hung), are blackmailed by ex-cop Inspector Fung (Shui-Fan Fung) into volunteering at a juvenile detention centre, where the duo fall for two pretty employees at the centre (Deannie Yip and, in her first movie role, Michelle Yeoh), teach the unruly kids how to find a job, and foil a major smuggling ring led by the evil Au Gan (James Tien).
Owl vs Bumbo is unlikely to qualify as an essential Sammo Hung movie for most martial arts fans unless they have a particular yearning to see its portly star performing aerobics in a spandex leotard and legwarmers (in which case they should seek immediate help!). What we get is a typically daft knockabout Hong Kong comedy with a heavy dose of cloying saccharine sentimentality, but not nearly enough impressive kung fu scenes.
After lots of mildly entertaining silliness, the highlight of which is an impromptu Fred Astaire-style dance routine by Sammo, the film culminates with the obligatory showdown between the good-guys and the nasty criminal gang where Sammo finally gets to kick some serious butt, aided by the kids from the reform centre who turn up on BMX bikes to lend a hand.
5.5 out of 10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.
