It's a Drink! It's a Bomb! (1985) User Reviews (4)

A madcap romp, fun in places

[Mike Astill · 5/10 · 4 October 2001]

I gave this a try because it stars Maggie Cheung, one of my favourite Chinese actresses. An early role for the near Miss Hong Kong, she's obviously having fun in a film that unfortunately can only be described as a ‘madcap romp'.

There's a bomb hidden inside a soft drink can, and a pair of Japanese terrorists (Eddie Ko and the wonderfully monikered Elvis Tsui) are trying to find it. They suspect three oddball characters know the bomb's location and try to track them down. The consequences are possibly hilarious if you know Chinese, but with only the non-remastered subtitles I presume a lot is lost in translation.

Still, it's fun in places. Cheung's bubbly charisma counts for a lot, almost making up for her two underperforming co-stars (Lam and Sham, both of whom are completely forgettable).

Endlessly inventive

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 25 August 2020]

IT'S A DRINK! IT'S A BOMB! is a low budget crime caper with a tiny cast and small-scale kind of plot, and it's also based on the absurd premise of a bomb being hidden inside a can of fizzy drink. Despite all of these things being potentially ruinous for a film, this turns out to be a lot of fun, a madcap journey in the company of accomplished comedy performers who make the most of their comic potential. George Lam, Maggie Cheung and John Sham are the unlikely trio who find themselves pursued by the remorseless mega villain Eddy Ko, and the comedy, the stunts, the chases and the absurdist situations are endless and endlessly inventive. A great time was clearly had by all, this viewer included.

Even With Maggie, Its Not Worth It

[crossbow0106 · 4/10 · 16 August 2008]

This is one of Maggie's first films (she is billed as Margaret Cheung) and its about someone inventing an explosive in a soda can and looking to sell the idea to a few Japanese men. The creator's assistant has a conscience, tries to tell the police and is shot. Maggie (as Cat) is one of the three that witness this. The killers now have to chase her as well as the other two. Even given the slapstick which was and to a point still is prevalent in Hong Kong film, this film was annoying. It was shrill, too silly and kind of pointless. I wanted to laugh but could not really find a reason to. Maggie has been so much better in other films. Actually, when you think about it, it would be difficult to name another actress from anywhere who has built up this impressive a resume since 1980 (maybe Meryl Streep, but I'd pit Maggie against her any day). The film maker tries, but its too muddled a film, improbable and uninspired. Maggie was cutting her acting teeth on this one and, unless you want to see every film she has been in, you can avoid this one.

A light-hearted crime comedy from Hong Kong!

[OllieSuave-007 · 9/10 · 12 December 2014]

This is a crime comedy from Hong Kong, where a crooked cop designs a bomb concealed in a soda can and sells the idea to two Japanese gangsters. However, the plan goes awry as an associate steals the bomb and manages to hide it before the gangsters discover him. The incident, afterward, brought together three witnesses mixed into the plot: a suave rock scientist, a wisecracking taxi driver and an overzealous biker, who must team up to locate the missing soda can while trying to avert the pursuing criminals.

There isn't too much action or suspense in this film, but it is full of comic relief - some dry humor, some slapstick - that kept the story interesting and fun. Even though this movie has more of a comedic element than a suspenseful criminal one, the main plot of trying to locating the missing soda can and avert the gangsters' sinister plot is still evident and easy to follow.

The heroic trio of George Lam, John Sham and Maggie Cheung provided some great laughs and entertainment; their chemistry together were a treat to watch, with the overzealous Cheung constantly trying to prevent the calm George Lam and the rambling John Sham from butting heads - all the while trying to outsmart the pursuing crooks. Eddy Ko and Elvis Tsui make a formidable terrorist duo and Paul Chun is funny as the frustrated sergeant trying to put the pieces of the crime together.

This is one of those films I would watch over and over since my childhood and it still serves well over time. With a light Christmas theme in the movie, this is a nice one to watch during the holidays; always great seeing John Sham trying to escape the criminal while climbing a 10-foot tall Christmas tree! Overall, an enjoyable, light-hearted movie.

Grade A-