Alright, rewind your minds with me. Picture this: it's late, the VCR hums reassuringly, and you've just popped in a tape promising wall-to-wall action, comedy, and maybe even a hint of the Wild West... in China? If that bizarre, exhilarating mix sounds familiar, you might just be remembering the glorious controlled chaos that is Sammo Hung's 1986 spectacle, Millionaires' Express (sometimes known as Shanghai Express). This wasn't just another martial arts flick; it felt like Sammo threw every idea, every stunt performer he knew, and half the Hong Kong film industry into a single, speeding locomotive of pure entertainment.
### All Aboard the Action Express!
The premise is wonderfully bonkers: Ching Fong-Tin (Sammo Hung), a reformed rogue with a dream, returns to his hometown intending to revitalize it by... well, by derailing a luxury train packed with wealthy passengers and persuading them to spend their money there. Naturally, this plan attracts rival gangs, Japanese samurai, bumbling security forces, and a whole host of opportunistic characters, all converging on the town for an inevitable, massive showdown. The plot? Let's be honest, it's more of a framework to hang some truly jaw-dropping set pieces on.
And what set pieces! This film is a prime example of why 80s Hong Kong action holds such a special place in our hearts. Forget sleek CGI – this was the era of raw, physical commitment. Sammo Hung, already a legend who gave us classics like Project A (1983) alongside his Peking Opera brothers Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, directs with an infectious energy. He knows exactly what the audience wants: intricate fight choreography, death-defying stunts, and moments of surprising physical comedy.
### Peak Practical Mayhem
Remember the sheer density of the action? The climactic town brawl isn't just a fight; it's a symphony of destruction involving dozens upon dozens of skilled performers. We get Yuen Biao, arguably at the peak of his acrobatic prowess, performing flips and kicks that still defy gravity. His rooftop chase and subsequent flip down onto a hay wagon? Pure practical magic, achieved through sheer skill and presumably nerves of steel. There's a tangible sense of danger here – real bodies hitting real objects, coordinated with breathtaking precision. You felt the impact through that slightly fuzzy CRT screen, didn't you?
Let's talk trivia for a second. The sheer scale of Millionaires' Express was immense for its time. Sammo Hung reportedly called in favours from across the industry to assemble the star-studded cast, which reads like a who's who of 80s Hong Kong cinema. Beyond Yuen Biao and the lovely Rosamund Kwan, you had cameos and supporting roles from figures like Eric Tsang, Richard Ng, Kenny Bee, Olivia Cheng, and even Western action stars Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, and Yukari Oshima. Getting all these schedules aligned was apparently a logistical nightmare, a testament to Sammo's influence. Some reports even mention parts of the film, particularly the snowy opening sequence, being shot far away in Canada, a surprising detour for a Hong Kong production back then!
### More Than Just Fists and Fury
While the action is the main draw, the film doesn't skimp on character moments and comedy, even if it's broad. Sammo Hung himself anchors the film with charisma, playing the well-intentioned schemer with a twinkle in his eye. The interactions between the various factions – the bumbling firefighters led by Yuen Biao, the sultry gangster molls, the stoic Japanese warriors – create a constant hum of activity. The score, often bombastic and perfectly synced to the on-screen chaos, ramps up the excitement, making even the sillier moments feel epic.
Was it a critical darling back in '86? Hong Kong critics generally recognized its ambition and entertainment value, and it was a significant box office success, reportedly costing a hefty sum (for HK cinema at the time) but proving audiences were hungry for this kind of large-scale spectacle. It wasn't trying to be high art; it was trying to be the most fun you could have watching a movie, and on that front, it delivered in spades. The slightly disjointed feel, jumping between slapstick, intense fights, and train heist elements, might feel jarring to modern viewers accustomed to more streamlined narratives, but it's part of the film's chaotic charm.
### The Verdict
Millionaires' Express is a glorious relic from a time when action filmmaking felt wilder, more dangerous, and maybe just a little bit crazier. The sheer number of moving parts, both in front of and behind the camera, is astonishing. Watching it again is like rediscovering a treasure chest overflowing with incredible stunt work, familiar faces, and that unique blend of humour and high-impact martial arts that defined the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. It might be messy, it might be overstuffed, but it's never, ever boring.
Rating: 8.5 / 10 - The score reflects its status as a landmark Hong Kong action-comedy extravaganza, bursting with unparalleled practical stunt work and infectious energy, slightly tempered by a sometimes chaotic narrative structure. It's a testament to Sammo Hung's directorial ambition and the incredible talent pool of the era.
Final Thought: This film is pure, uncut 80s Hong Kong adrenaline – a kitchen-sink epic that throws everything at the screen with joyous abandon, reminding us just how visceral and thrilling practical action could be before pixels took over the playground. Still an absolute blast.