Film Review: Rob N Roll 臨時劫案(2024) Hong Kong / China 🇭🇰 🇨🇳
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia 🇦🇺)
In a career defining comedic performance, Hong Kong award winning actor Aaron Kwok manages to be the X-factor in long time assistant director Albert Mak’s directorial debut in the lunar new year crime comedy “Rob N Roll”. This film works because it never takes itself too seriously and in the process allows the characters to shine with their various over the top traits and antics. With plenty of laugh out loud moments, making it the perfect Chinese New Year comedy with an edge.
Aaron Kwok is simply amazing as the rugged yet smart robber whose buck teeth makes him both a poker face and unpredictable robber who uses catchphrases and stubborn languages. Kwok combines extremely well with fellow recruited unlikely robbers played by the always great Richie Ren and versatile Gordon Lam. Both Lam and Ren know their role particularly well and manages to provide plenty of funny moments and interplay between the trio.
All in all, “Rob N Roll” works well because it knows its target market and the ability to be funny and entertaining is crucially important. With an A-list cast shining in against type characters and some interplay with Johnny To’s “Throwback” and others amongst it, making the film a highly likeable affair that makes you laugh and have fun along the ride. Just don’t be so serious about it.
I rated it 8/10