Forbidden City Cop

Running time: N/A

Let's get this out of the way immediately: Forbidden City Cop is the most hilarious martial arts film ever made. Period! Filled with slapstick, silly high jinks and goofy cinematic references, it'll leave you N- yes, I dare say N- rolling in the aisles. The story goes something like this: His name's Fat, Ling Ling Fat. He's one part mad inventor, one part Inspector Clouseau, and has somehow become one of the king's guardians. Fat is out of favor at court because his Kung Fu is kung fooey. With little opportunity to serve the emperor, he bides his time designing Rube Goldberg-like inventions to please his beloved wife. Fat feels neglected and unappreciated. Then, thanks to a nefarious scheme hatched by the Kum Dynasty, his chance to prove himself and save the emperor from certain death arrives. From the James Bondish title sequence, through 90 minutes of stoogish antics, to the goofball out-takes over the closing credits, this is brilliant, non-stop nonsense. For all fans of this exhilarating, action-packed genre, Forbidden City Cop is an oddball must-see. --John Porter