Cert 15
136 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, sex
The opening 30 minutes of Detective Chinatown are akin to being hit over the head with a kaleidoscopic hammer.
Wang Baoqiang's Tang Ren screams and smiles inanely almost from start to finish of Chen Sicheng's film even though he is being pursued for a murder he did not commit.
Tang Ren is a inept, work-shy, high-living Bangkok detective who is framed for the killing and stealing gold which had been in the hands of the criminal underworld.
This means he is being hunted by not only his police colleagues but also by the bad guys.
In his corner is his distant cousin (Liu Haoran) who is sent to Bangkok on holiday after failing at his interview for a place in a police academy back home in China.
He didn't get his dream job because of his stammer but he has a photographic memory and a super-fast brain.
It took me at least half an hour to adjust to the pace of Detective Chinatown and Baoqiang's crazed cop.
However, once my senses had been acclimatised, I began to enjoy it and even pick up on modern-day comparisons to Abbott and Costello and the Keystone Cops
Typically of Asian movies, Detective Chinatown is awash with colour and its action is non-stop (one car chase scene is particularly over-the top). There are also some cultural references which escaped me.
But by its conclusion I have to admit that I was egging Tang Ren and his cousin on.
Reasons to watch: Its sheer craziness
Reasons to avoid: Wang Baoqiang may be too much for some audiences
Laughs: a couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10