Hit N Fun Review
Referential comedy can be a risky approach for a comedy film. For one, it inherently dates the movie—what’s popular in 2025 may not (and likely won’t) be relevant in 2035. Some of the most timeless comedies, like Drunken Master and Ghostbusters, remain funny because slapstick, physical humor, and situational comedy transcend time. I bring this up because Hit N Fun leans heavily on overt references to the action masterpiece Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (with half of Hit N Fun’s cast having appeared in it). However, in this case, the referential humor enhances both the film’s message and its situational comedy, making Hit N Fun a hilariously enjoyable experience.
We open with Bruce Cheung (Louis Koo) and his disciple, Arnold Chan (German Cheung), engaged in a fight to determine if Arnold is worthy of surpassing Bruce and becoming his successor. Though the fight’s outcome isn’t shown, it is stated that Arnold wins. We then transition to a tour of Bruce’s Muay Thai gym, led by his youngest disciple, Stallone Ko (Tony Wu). The gym has since become a workout space for pensioners and is struggling to stay afloat. In light of this, Bruce’s wife, Carrie Mok (Gigi Leung), decides to return to acting. However, during an audition for a menopause supplement ad for Elsa (Louise Wong), she storms out in anger—insulted by the implication, as she looks incredible for her age. After Carrie leaves, Elsa notices a parcel for her boyfriend, revealing he has been having an affair with Muay Thai champion Surewin (Chrissie Chau). Enraged, Elsa challenges Surewin to a fight and seeks Bruce’s training to prepare.
One of the film’s opening gags is a hilarious recreation of the famous cigarette catch from Twilight of the Warriors. However, instead of an awe-inspiring, effortlessly charismatic martial arts moment, we get a man catching a pair of dentures between two fingers. This isn’t the only direct reference to Twilight of the Warriors. Carrie is offered the lead role in a new martial arts film titled Twilight of the Kowloon Leftover Ladies: Cyclone Walled In, where she is set to portray the titular Cyclone—a role previously played by Louis Koo.
While these references will inevitably date Hit N Fun, the film uses Twilight of the Warriors effectively to reinforce its core themes of aging and late-career rejuvenation. Twilight of the Warriors revitalized Hong Kong action cinema by adapting to the modern action landscape, and this idea is mirrored in Carrie’s journey. She is an actress who still longs to play the daughter but may have to settle for the mother—just as Bruce faces the possibility of closing his gym to support his family. This parallel results in a genuinely compelling and emotional arc for both Carrie and Bruce, making their story captivating to watch.
At its core, the film uses martial arts as a metaphor for confronting one’s problems, suggesting that there are better ways to navigate life than resorting to physical fights. Elsa wants to fight Surewin because she is struggling to move on from her boyfriend, Daniel. Over time, her motivations evolve—from proving her worth to Daniel to proving to herself that she can stand toe-to-toe with Surewin. To avoid being instantly defeated, Elsa must train in Muay Thai, leading to a series of training montages where she gets tossed around and endures ridiculous exercises—moments that are consistently hilarious.
The humour wouldn’t land as effectively without the stellar performances. Louis Koo shines as Bruce Cheung, a tough Muay Thai master with a soft side, while Gigi Leung delivers a remarkable performance as Carrie, authentically portraying the struggles of an aging actress in an industry that prioritizes youth above all else. The only somewhat problematic performance comes from Philip Ng; while he isn’t bad, his portrayal of a flamboyant character could be interpreted as a caricature that mocks gay men.
Hit N Fun is a genuinely hilarious comedy with real heart. The laughs are constant, the characters are infectious and likable thanks to the exceptional performances, and a few well-placed action scenes serve as the cherry on top. Hit N Fun is truly a must-see comedy—and with a character’s name being a pun on “sure win,” why wouldn’t you want to watch it?
★★★★
In Cinemas from 14 March / Louis Koo, Tony Wu, Gigi Leung, Louise Wong, German Cheung / Dir: Albert Kai-Kwong Mak / K-Movie Entertainment / 12A
