good back-story, and good acting

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

I'M FOR THE HIPPOPOTAMUS takes the usual Terence Hill/Bud Spencer western template and transports it to Africa for some exotic fun. The resulting concoction isn't one of the all-time best from the Italian comic duo, but it's still a thoroughly entertaining movie that focuses on big laughs and big spectacle to good effect.Hill and Spencer play the usual ne'er-do-wells who come up against some German villains, including a boxing champion. The characters are involved in a secret plot to smuggle some of Africa's wildlife to a zoo abroad, and our heroes must team up to stop them. Gentle laughs and funny action scenes abound; the action is never better than when Spencer steps into the fray to bash a few heads together or hammer his opponents into the ground.

Whilst it is difficult to ascertain which is the greatest Spencer / Hill film - it could arguably be this or He Who Finds A Friend Finds A Treasure - by some distance this is the greatest cinematic performance to date from the legendary Joe Bugner.Whilst still a heavyweight boxer, and lest we forget a contender for the world title, Bugner somehow managed to find the time to perform in films such as this. Does he make the the transition with success? Oh yes, certainly. It turns out that Bugner is an exceptional actor; what a shame his talents have not been used in too many other films.Fans of Spencer and Hill will no doubt have seen this film already, but for anyone out there looking for more Joe Bugner than they have already seen then this is the film for you.

The Hill & Spencer movies were never famous for their brilliant stories, but this one doesn't even make an effort. Plotless, slow-paced, boring and only occasionally amusing, it feels like a film that was made out of obligation, rather than like something that the stars and the filmmakers put their hearts in. At least with its animal-friendly messages you could say it's good for kids, but no - they'll be as bored with it as anyone else. (**)

This is fairly standard Hill/Spencer stuff, except for the fact that Joe Bugner (the former British, Commonwealth, European and Australian Heavyweight champion) plays the part of the villain. The film is worth watching simply for Joe's fantastic acting and South African accent. As expected in Hill/Spencer films, Joe gets beaten up in the end with the usual variety of kitchen utensils and everything ends up happily ever after.