Producer: Clifton Ko

There’s still enjoyment to be had in this Hong Kong comedy though as long as the potential viewer is willing to forgive its various shortcomings.

Clifton Ko prefers to fill the film with dubious comedy and ‘Home Alone’-style action – certainly no compensation for even a few seconds of Sammo’s genius.

The idea of an introspective love story may not sound too appealing, but this is the kind of film that truly rewards the patient viewer.

Thrown together rather than constructed, this is a production where the director has little idea how to generate organic laughs from situations and must therefore shoe-horn them in.

Yu’s extravagant use of colour and innovative camera techniques are extremely pleasing, but in no way make up for the lack of depth missing from the rest of the film.

What makes ‘Gambling Ghost’ an above-average feature is undoubtedly the superb performance by the film’s main star.

‘The Mad Phoenix’ has moments that offer the kind of promise that make the finished product all the more disappointing.