Bullet Points: Mad Mission
The Aces Go Places film series is one of the top action comedy series coming out of Hong Kong and features six movies spanning 15 years. Just like many movies coming out of Hong Kong, the movies that western audiences saw aren’t quite the same. In fact, they have a completely different name, going by Mad Mission. However, that is no reason to get mad, even if many find the original superior. Mad Mission is what I watch when I want some fun Hong Kong action and I just happen to have some Mad Mission Bullet Points for you to enjoy.
- Diamonds Are Forever – Mad Mission gets off to a ripsnorter of a beginning as we see one of our heroes played by Samuel Hui shoot a harpoon gun from a roof to facilitate a diamond heist. I use the term hero because depending on what version you watch the character’s name is different. He is known as King Kong in the pure version but Mad Mission just calls him Sam. I will call him King Kong because he manages to escape the building by self-defenestration and then drives a motorcycle in the building, going down both an elevator (lift) and escalator. King Kong finally drives out of the building and straight into a tent that features his getaway motorized glider (ultralight aviation for those in the know). King Kong ain’t got shit on Mad Mission!
- Live and Let Die – The stolen diamonds were property of the Italian mafia and that gets King Kong in some hot water. The mafia sends noted thief White Glove, named because he wears white gloves, to get their diamonds back. The Hong Kong PD send for help, recruiting White Glove’s archenemy, an American detective who also has two different names to pair with a tough Hong Kong police officer, who also has two different names. Karl Maka plays Albert “Baldy” Au in Aces Go Places and sometimes is called Baldy, but his name in Mad Mission is Kody Jack, I suppose to appease American audiences that were familiar with the bald cop in Kojack. Sylvia Chang goes by the respectable name Nancy Ho in the original, but the slightly offensive Hot Tung that sounds like hot tongue.
- Licence to Kill – With the White Glove after King Kong and the police after White Glove, our three heroes team up, not that any of them are too happy with that idea. It can best be described as hijinks and hilarity ensue. You really should experience for yourself, but as a little taste there is another party after King Kong and he goes by Al Capone. King Kong’s former partner slept with Al Capone’s sister, the perfectly name Al Kaseltzer. Are these the names in Aces Go Places? Does it matter? Watch Al trying to get his revenge by hanging King Kong and Baldy is top notch fun. I am unsure why Al Capone is dressed for dressage.
- The World Is Not Enough – So the names might be different and Mad Mission features dubbed voices, but the universal language of action persists. Car chases, foot chases, fights all over town and even a tightrope escape, Mad Mission has in all. The finale is an overflow of vehicle mayhem with a tricked out Volkswagen convertible taking on a battalion of BMWs. The real standout is the fleet of explosive remote control cars that The Dead Pool can only wish it had in its movie.
Mad Mission or Aces Go Places is a fun time no matter what it is called, and that is evidenced by the many sequels. Of course the second in the Mad Mission series is called Mad Mission Part 2: Aces Go Places just to confuse everyone. There is pretty much non-stop action, that is only interrupted to provide some comedy gold, and even some of the action is funny. Mad Mission might not be the pure movie that the filmmakers created and you are missing out on some of the talented actors’ performances with the dubbed audio, but don’t let that stop you from checking out Mad Mission if it is available. Some Mad Mission Bonus Bullet points are always available to enjoy.
- Whistle While You Work – The music is a real highlight in Mad Mission with the theme song, sung by star Samuel Hui. I am impressed with the amount of whistling in the song.
- Connected Universe – Bet you didn’t know that the Pink Panther universe is connected to the Mad Mission universe.
- Great Gag – King Kong trying unsuccessfully to have a private conversation with his partner is a great gag, with the mirrors in the elevator being a great cherry on top.
- Best Insult – “You are as funny as a crotch.”
- If You Ever… – wanted to see Samuel Hui and Karl Maka perform in Swan Lake (and get a standing ovation) then Mad Mission is for you.
