If a film ever demonstrated Hong Kong Cinema's eighties propensity for nonexistent screenwriting, it would be Naughty Boys. A minor actioner produced by Jackie Chan, this film possesses annoying characters, a nonsensical plot, comedy that just isn't funny, and no established (at the time) actors to carry things. Frequent Chan cohort Mars stars as Sing, an ex-con who was freed a month before his former partners (Philip Ko, Lo Meng and another frequent Chan cohort, Tai Bo). Sing is supposed to dig up the guys' hidden loot, but the buried box is full of rocks instead of the expected diamonds.
     Unfortunately, Sing's jailed buddies don't believe him, and think he's trying to keep the stuff for himself. Sing ends up turning to childhood pal Kuen (Kara Hui) for help escaping the country when the three get out and are after his hide. Meanwhile, insurance investigators Carina Lau and Billy Lau (no relation) tail Sing in hopes of finding the loot for themselves. There's also a screwy travel agent named Leung (Clarence Fok) who somehow becomes attached to all the wacky proceedings. Add in some nifty action set pieces and some ogling of Carina Lau in a leotard and you have ninety minutes of unimportant and questionably-made entertainment.
     There's really no excuse for the uninteresting series of events which populate this film. Basic logic and continuity are noticeably absent; if six monkeys were credited with the screenplay, it would be hard to refute that from the actual script quality. The perpetrators are purportedly human, though, and it's possible that even monkeys could write a better script than this. Yes, it's that annoyingly lame.
     Without anything else to involve the audience, the filmmakers turn to some finely choreographed action which evokes the classic Jackie Chan style. Chan himself is seen in the outtakes demonstrating a stunt to Kara Hui, who handles herself decently in the action sequences. Carina Lau seems physically able too, though she was obviously doubled in the numerous gymnastic action sequences. Still, the action may be worth a casual rental to the diehard action fan, if only to check out the entertaining final action sequence set in a warehouse. Judicious use is made of wooden crates, two-by-fours used as catapults, and numerous other props to create a stunt-filled set piece worthy of the Jackie Chan name. Using the chapter skip button on your remote would be smart, though. (Kozo 2003)