Reviewed by: pjshimmer Date: 11/04/2002 Too much absurd humor! The great moments include people fighting over taxis, Yuen Wah grabbing onto a pole in order to get out of his car, and the finale. Also featuring the most ridiculous gag ever filmmed in this galaxy: Stephen Chow and Wu Ma pissing (and possibly more) on a bed. [7/10]

Reviewed by: danton Date: 04/01/2002 This was the last of the truly funny, classic Stephen Chiau movies I had not seen yet, and I was keeping it in my unwatched pile, deliberately saving it for a rainy day until I couldn't resist any more and finally gave in and watched it. So my laughter was tinged with an element of regret, in that I now truly have to either rewatch all his other movies, or simply lean back and wait until he releases a new movie, which these days could be a pretty long wait (gone are the days he used to release one movie a month...). Magnificent Scoundrels is a truly silly movie that nevertheless reaches sublime levels of hilarity. There's one comedy routine after another, and each one works. Blink, and you'll miss one - they just keep coming at you. I haven't laughed this much in a while. True, much of the comedy is completely dumb and low-brow, but in a very inspired way. Perhaps the funniest routine in the movie features Teresa Mo inacting a number of characters (including an old lady, a police officer, a dog and a soldier) in an attempt to convince Stephen Chiau (who's pretending to be blind) that they just had a car accident. This scene starts with a silly premise and then takes that premise to such absurd heights that you can't help but laugh out loud. Even Stephen Chiau seemed to have had trouble keeping a straight face watching Teresa go through what surely ranks as one of the classic comedy pieces in HK cinema. The plot is inconsequential - something about con artists trying to con each other, until they realize they're all in the same trade, and unite against a common enemy. In the process, we are treated to a barrage of breast/cleavage jokes involving the well-endowed Amy Yip, the hyper-kinetic energy of Teresa Mo, Yuen Wah as a not too bright villain and Roy Cheung as his vain brother, good supporting performances from Wu Ma and Karl Maka, and Stephen Chiau himself in full form, displaying why he is indeed the most gifted comedian in HK. There's a lot of slapping, and a truly gross kissing scene that even beats the scene he had with Karen Mok in King of Comedy (the one with the running nose). Strongly recommended.

Reviewed by: bastardswordsman Date: 01/24/2002 Summary: Absolutely absurd.... But at times had me laughing harder than I had for a very long time. So brilliantly far-fetched and contrived, you cannot help but respect such a film. The 'accident' scene with Theresa Mo has comedy value built on pure moronic stupidity, I couln't help but shake my head and laugh in amazment. No wonder Chiau Sing Chi was looking at her like that. Certain other scenes had me in tears (who beat up my brother?). In this film, there is a toilet disguised as a bed.

Reviewed by: Inner Strength Date: 01/12/2002 Summary: Quite funny Slightly better than average comedy movie, but very stupid at times. Karl Maka is very funny as usual, and he also produced this. Rating: 3/5 (This rating is based on the year & genre, so don't think it's based as a comparison on new releases etc.)

Reviewed by: Apollyon Date: 10/27/2001 Summary: Funny as Hell This movie is off the chains. A must have Chinese comedy. Stop reading this and go buy it.

Reviewed by: MrBooth Date: 10/21/2001 Summary: Highly recommended Chiau movie MAGNIFICENT SCOUNDRELS: Early Stephen Chiau movie continuing his "trickster" image. Chiau, Theresa Mo and Wu Ma are all tricksters in debt to Roy Cheung & Yuen Wah, tough nut loan sharks. They each separately hatch a plan to rip off a particularly rich house to pay back the debt, which leads to much confusion as they get in each other's way. Amy Yip has a small part as a hooker brought in by Wu Ma to assist in his cheating. Absolutely hilarious movie - had me laughing constantly. One of Chiau's most amusing films in fact. So many fantastic parts Amy Yip's part was a bit unnecessary, but at least they're quite open about the fact that she's really only there for her chest size... Definitely a movie I'd strongly consider using to introduce people to the world of Stephen Chiau. Reviewer Score: 9

Reviewed by: ElectraWoman Date: 10/28/2000 Summary: 8/10-Hell funny! Sure, this film is stupid, but I thought some parts were clever-like the part where a crowd of people fight over a taxi. If you've ever been to Hong Kong, you'll understand-it's hell hard to get a taxi! Anyways, this film isn't for the faint-hearted, with some disgusting scenes. The first half is great, and Yuen Wah shows what a great comic actor he is. However, I was disappointed in the second half, which somewhat faded. But if Karl Maka is involved in a film, you can't go wrong :)

Reviewed by: MilesC Date: 07/28/2000 Summary: I'm probably in the minority here... I just finished watching this a few hours ago, and while this isn't the overall best work from Stephen Chow, it's probably his most consistently hilarious film, at least for English speakers. Though many of the gags are very, very low, they'll keep you snickering; no long, dead language-joke spots this time. Teresa Mo is a standout; hilarious and cute. Her introductory scene, in which she attempts to cheat a "blind" Chow out of his wallet by pretending to be a run-down old woman, a policewoman, a dog and soldier, is classic. If you enjoy con-artist antics and low-brow humor, this should keep you entertained.

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy Date: 07/03/2000 Summary: FUNNY!! When i first watch this, couldn't stop laughing!! A story about tricksters tricking each other but getting into trouble with a triad boss!! RECOMMENDED!! 8/10 Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: STSH Date: 01/06/2000 Summary: More gross ... or more funny ? Stephen Chow and Co certainly plumb the depths of low comedy. For instance, Amy Yip's character arrives drunk, kisses Chow, pauses for breath, then vomits right into his mouth. The wild plot is pretty much a take on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (as indicated by the title), with two groups of tricksters who "live on brain" trying to fool each other, then uniting against their common foe, the loan shark. Everyone plays it flat out and open-mouthed, none more so than Yuen Wah as the shark's thug. Overall : extremely stupid, sometimes funny. Reviewer Score: 4

Reviewed by: spinali Date: 12/08/1999 Summary: NULL Roy Cheung is unexpectedly good as a conniving loan sharkwho forces failed con-persons Stephen Chieu (a riot) and Teresa Mo into burglary to satisfy their debts. Meanwhile, Cheung sends another set of debtors to execute a con with a rich landowner. By coincidence, the two factions end up conning each other; that is, until they join forces for a con against their common enemy. A very low, very funny farce, and the French kissing scene with Chieu and Amy Yip will make you sick. (3.5/4) [Reviewed by Steve Spinali] Reviewer Score: 8