Watch Hail the Judge
- 1994
- 1 hr 46 min
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7.5 (4,856)
Hail the Judge is a Hong Kong comedy movie from 1994, directed by Wong Jing and starring Stephen Chow, Man Cheung, and Man-Tat Ng. It is a hilarious tale of a corrupt magistrate and a bunch of hilarious misfits who help him out of a tight situation. The movie takes place in ancient China during the Ming Dynasty, where the officials of the court were seen as incompetent and corrupt. The film starts with the introduction of Bao Qingtian (Stephen Chow), who has been appointed as the new magistrate in Shangyuan County. Bao is initially excited about his new position and believes he can bring justice to the corrupted system.
However, Bao's idealistic views are quickly shattered when he realizes the extent of the corruption in his county. He realizes that the local officials are taking advantage of their positions of power and are indulging in bribes and other illegal activities. Bao is powerless to stop these officials as they are too well-connected and clever.
Moreover, Bao is also in debt and his creditors are after him, which only adds to his stress. Just when things couldn't get worse, Bao inadvertently finds himself embroiled in a scandal involving a group of prostitutes. He is accused of raping one of them and faces being dismissed as a magistrate without a trial.
As a last resort, Bao seeks help from the most unlikely sources, including his assistant Li Wan (Man-Tat Ng) and a group of eccentric outcasts led by the mysterious Widow Li (Man Cheung). Together, they concoct a plan to prove Bao's innocence and expose the corrupt officials, using their unique set of skills and talents.
What follows is a hilarious series of events, as Bao and his new allies go to extreme lengths to expose the guilty parties and restore justice to the county. There is a lot of slapstick humor, witty one-liners, and exaggerated acting, which are typical of Stephen Chow's movies.
The movie also has a romantic subplot between Bao and the Widow Li, which adds a touch of sweetness to the comedy. There are also musical sequences, including the catchy theme song "Hail the Judge", which is sung by Stephen Chow himself.
Overall, Hail the Judge is an entertaining comedy movie that will have you chuckling throughout. It is not a masterpiece of cinema, but it is an enjoyable way to spend a lazy afternoon. The zany characters, caricatured acting, and fast-paced storyline are perfect for anyone looking for some comedic relief.