Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon

Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon

Year: 1990

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: Cantonese

ComedyActionCrime

Two bumbling detectives, the wiry Skinny (Karl Maka) and the rotund Fatty (Sammo Hung), blow up their boss’s wedding while chasing drug lord Tak, getting them dismissed from the force. On a Singapore holiday they each fall for attractive women, but Tak kidnaps the girlfriends, forcing the ex‑cops into a wild, comic‑filled rescue that showcases Hung’s trademark martial‑arts antics.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1980s

Set in the late 1980s, the story captures an era of neon nights and street-level crime in Hong Kong. The film uses cross-border movement to Singapore to heighten stakes, reflecting a transnational underworld. Its pace mirrors the period's action comedies, blending martial arts with slapstick humor.

Location

Hong Kong, Singapore

The film largely unfolds on the bustling streets of Hong Kong, where Fatty and Baldy pursue a Triad gang. After a jewelry robbery and a string of close calls, they flee to Singapore to escape mounting danger. Neon-lit alleys, crowded markets, and dingy warehouses provide the kinetic backdrop for chase sequences and the film's signature buddy comedy.

🏙️ City 🗺️ East Asia 🕵️ Crime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

Main Characters – Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990)

Meet the key characters of Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fatty Dragon (Sammo Hung Kam-Bo)

A seasoned, street-smart detective whose bravado masks a loyal heart. He thrives on improvisation, quick fists, and humorous blunders, making him both a formidable ally and comic relief. His partnership with Baldy anchors the film's rhythm of action and friendship.

🕵️ Detective 🥋 Martial arts 😂 Comedy

Baldy Mak Sui Fu (Karl Maka)

The other half of the duo, calmer and more calculating, balancing Fatty's impulsiveness with steady street-smarts. He navigates danger with dry wit and resilience, often providing a grounding counterpoint to the chaos around them.

🕵️ Detective 🥋 Martial arts 🤝 Partner

Lai (Carrie Ng Ka-Lai)

A woman connected to the gang whose loyalties shift, becoming pivotal to the plot. She moves from ally to adversary, triggering key confrontations and betrayals that propel the chase.

🧭 Ally 🎭 Femme fatale

Wing (Lau Kar-Wing)

Gang leader and mastermind behind the operations, whose ruthlessness sets the stakes. His paranoia and power struggles push Fatty and Baldy to improvisational extremes during the pursuit.

🗡️ Gang Leader 🔥 Villain

Prince Tak (Ted) (Lung Ming-Yan)

Tak is the enigmatic boss whose schemes drive much of the conflict. His sophisticated control of the syndicate contrasts with Fatty and Baldy’s street-level grit.

🏰 Gang Boss 🧩 Antagonist

Johnny (Tai Bo)

Wing's distrustful henchman who betrays secrets, adding tension and danger to the investigation. His actions escalate the pursuit and complicate Fatty and Baldy’s decisions.

🕶️ Henchman 🗡️ Betrayer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

Major Themes – Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990)

Explore the central themes of Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Dual Identities

Disguises and role reversals drive the plot as Fatty and Baldy pretend to be robbers to escape the gang. Mistaken identities fuel a sequence of pratfalls and tense chases that balance violence with humor. The theme shows how performance and perception can change a character's fate in a high-stakes pursuit.

🤝 Friendship

The core dynamic between Fatty and Baldy anchors the film's humor and action. Their banter, loyalty, and willingness to risk themselves for each other create emotional weight amid the chaos. The buddy chemistry keeps the story grounded even as the stunts escalate.

⚖️ Justice

The pursuit of Wing and Tak pits the detectives against the criminal syndicate and a corrupt system. The finale blends explosive action with a satirical take on law enforcement. The outcome suggests that justice in this world is messy, costly, and often carried out by unlikely heroes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:50

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Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon Summary

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Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon Summary

Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon Timeline

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Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon Timeline

More About Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon

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