Chinese: 大內密探靈靈狗
Year: 2009
Director: Wong Jing
Writer: Wong Jing
Action: Shum For-Sun
Cast: Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Barbie Hsu, Sandra Ng Kwun-Yu, Tong Dawei, Liu Yang, Lam Chi-Chung, Song Jia, Liu Yiwei, Louis Fan Siu-Wong, Na Wei, Cheung Ka-Lun, Yuen King-Tan, Leung Ka-Yan, Law Kar-Ying, Lee Kin-Yan, Natalie Meng Yao, Maggie Li
The most inspired thing about On His Majesty's Secret Service: Louis Koo in the lead. The Man with the Tan™ was once a staple of B-movie genre fare (e.g. those numerous low budget Troublesome Night films), but has since become one of Hong Kong's most dynamic leading men, showing versatility in comedies, dramas and even Johnnie To films. Koo is at his best when he plays against type; he can make fun of himself, and despite his strong leading man looks, you'll never find him winking at the camera. He also seems to respect whatever material he's working with – even if it's incredibly low brow. In On His Majesty's Secret Service, Koo basically follows in the footsteps of Stephen Chow, and is funny, sardonic and self-effacing. His performance is not up to Chow standards, but Koo has never been an actor of Chow's level, so that's to be expected. In On His Majesty's Secret Service, Koo shows that he can carry a comedy effectively, and won't phone it in even when the film dabbles in laziness.