Another winner from the prolific Jackie Chan, not as slick or as big budget as his later productions like POLICE STORY but still packing a mean punch in terms of martial arts sequences. This time, the reliable Sammo Hung directs the film as well as co-starring as an idiotic and bumbling private eye who ends up helping hero Chan and his partner Yuen Biao in saving a beautiful heiress - as played by the genuinely charming Lola Forner - from a gang of thugs.Once again the plot is trivial stuff in which the trio of Chan, Biao, and Hung are up to all kinds of slapstick shenanigans, whether engaging in typically ill-fated battles with hired goons or making trouble between themselves. The emphasis in this low-budget film is on the comedy, and you get it in spades. This time around the inmates of a mental asylum (including the always-good-to-see Richard Ng and John Shem) are the basis for some crazy humour and our three unlikely heroes add a Three Stooges-style manic humour to their scenes. In fact I'd argue that this is the closest the three stars get to paying homage to the old ensemble comedy productions of the '30s.For a change, this present-set production was made in Spain, which offers up some nice locations which are highlighted in a lengthy car/van chase which offers up some excellent slow-motion stunts and typically unlikely comedy antics involving flying cars. The pacing is fast and furious and never lets up, even during the slow spots in the story where nothing much is happening, and the script is consistently funny.The various fight and action scenes are a delight to watch and make fine use of props like motorbikes, tables, skateboards, chairs, and the usual. After a few minor battles with the bad guys, things pick up for the excellent finale in the castle in which our heroic trio find themselves up against two powerful thugs and a fencing champion. The resulting battles are frenetic, stylish, and occasionally awesome to behold, benefiting from the presence of real-life champions Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez and Keith Vitali to add to the super-fast realism of the action. In fact the battle between Chan and Urquidez is one of the fastest and best I've seen on film, full stop, not even surpassed by their rematch in DRAGONS FOREVER. Although not one of Chan's top movies, this can best be described as a solid addition to his filmography, with three winning turns from the leads. Instantly disposable, but fun with it!

Cousins Thomas (Chan) and David (Biao) own and operate a mobile food truck called "Everybody's Kitchen" in Barcelona, Spain. It seems they're always getting into mishaps and misadventures, and their latest one involves Sylvia (Forner), a beautiful woman that both private detective Moby (Hung) and a gang of baddies are looking for. Eventually, Thomas, David and Moby team up to protect Sylvia, while fighting the gang.It's impossible not to love Wheels On Meals. The Martial Arts and stunt choreography are superb, there's plenty of humor that's actually funny, and it's all very well-shot, colorful and upbeat. It was an excellent idea to shoot a movie like this in Spain, because it gives the whole thing a different and unusual vibe not seen in too many other Martial Arts movies. The whole idea of Chan, Biao and Hung as the Three Musketeers is very winning, and they would reunite a few years later as the Three Stooges in Dragons Forever, but we prefer Wheels for all-out fun and entertainment.The movie STARTS with a training sequence, because Thomas and David may run a food truck, but they always have to be prepared to defend it from street punks. But this is one high-tech, futuristic truck. It's all run by computer, which is very savvy for 1984. Sammo Hung looks pretty stylin' with his Jheri curl and suit jackets rolled up to the elbows. He resembles Michael Jackson or Lionel Richie, which would make sense for the time this movie was made. It's great to see the three leads interact, and with the addition of the gorgeous Lola Forner (who would return in Armour of God), you really can't lose. From the scene at the disco (we always love seeing those), to the insane asylum (check out the "Clock Man"!), and of course the cool stunts, there are a variety of situations and scenarios for our heroes to get into.Of course, we can't forget to mention the awesome final fight between Jackie and Benny The Jet. Benny wears this bow-tie and seersucker suit, which we imagine would be tough to fight in, especially the complex moves being done, but it all comes to a rousing climax in a Spanish castle. Benny would also come back in Dragons Forever (1988).When we would go to the video store, we would always notice two Jackie Chan movies because of their unusual titles: Wheels On Meals and Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1980). We would always talk about these titles - and thought-provoking names like these probably sucked many video store patrons in and then they later became not just Jackie Chan fans, but Martial Arts cinema fans as well, acting as a sort of gateway drug. Now we strongly recommend you watch the movie on Netflix Streaming if you have it. It's a nice widescreen print with subtitles (funny how everyone in Spain speaks Cantonese). Surely it's a vast improvement upon pan-and-scanned, dubbed VHS tapes.Wheels On Meals is a hugely enjoyable movie experience and a good time will be had by all who see it.For more action insanity, drop by: www.comeuppancereviews.com

"Wheels On Meals" is actually a great fun Jackie Chan movie, despite it being from 1984, it is still fun to watch today.The story is about Thomas (played by Jackie Chan) and David (played by Yuen Biao) who are running a mobile fast-food service in Spain, when they happen to come across beautiful Sylvia (played by Lola Forner). She is being chased by a group of people, and the two restaurant vendors find themselves in a plot like none other. Hired to find Sylvia and bring her back is aspiring detective Moby (played by Sammo Hung).Of course you have the trademark slapstick comedy action as in most Jackie Chan movies, but also a funny story (again another trademark of his) and the amazingly choreographed martial arts and action sequences.I got the CineAsia / Hong Kong Legends collector's edition, and the extra material is well worth getting this version for alone. The movie contains both the Cantonese language track and a poorly dubbed English language track. I really don't understand the fetish about dubbing foreign movies into English, subtitles is your friend here!One thing that I did find odd though, was that everyone spoke Cantonese in Spain, even all the local Spainards. That was just hilarious and stupid at the same time. But hey, it just added to the charm of the movie."Wheels On Meals" is entertaining and fun, not to mention fast-paced and full of action; everything you'd expect from a Jackie Chan movie. And it is a well deserving movie in any DVD collection for fans of Hong Kong cinema and Jackie Chan's movies.

i think the summary says it all. i love project a, and my lucky stars, dragons forever,and winners and sinners, but wheels on meals in the best out of all of them. one of my friends put me on a lot of Jackie Chan films right after rumble in the Bronx, and the first two movie he gave me as a birthday gift, was ProjectA and Wheels on Meals. it's a prefect fit of comedy, action, and martial arts. Thomas (Jackie)and David (Yuen Biao)are cousins and have a food business in a van, and run into a girl, who is nothing but trouble, and Sammo Hung is a detective, who is looking for the girl.The comedy is great, and the action is brilliant, and this is one of the film i would love to remake. Rent or buy this movie if you are a fan.