Whatever other reviewers may say this is not the worst (of seven) Hope and Crosby "Road" movies. That honor goes to their first, "Road to Singapore," made before they nailed down the formula. They quickly figured out how "Road" pictures worked and "Road to Zanzibar," their second, is my favorite.
Hope and Crosby weren't a comedy team but two skilled performers already notable in their own right(s) whose chemistry was amazing. Outside the "Road" pictures they shared plenty of cameos in each others' movies.
"Hong Kong" has a lot going for it, not least that twenty years after the first "Road" movies Hope and Crosby were even more secure in their movie personas. Their stars had not dimmed. How many of today's stars in any field will be more than trivia questions in 20 years?
Then there's an early (unbilled) appearance by rising star Peter Sellers. If they made a mistake with Sellers it was plugging him in too soon. Sellers is already so good he steals the scene right out from under the boys and makes the rest of the movie feel like denouement. We hope against hope he'll make an encore but by the climax they make room for other (already established) rising stars. It's like they are handing over the laughs and music to the next generation of performers.
And performers, Hope and Crosby were. Though Hope is considered the comedian and Crosby the song stylist, Crosby could be funny and while he's no Crosby Hope could sing (and dance: watch their opening song-and-dance routine; not bad for a couple of boys barreling toward 60). They could sing, dance, tell jokes and be all-round entertainers.
A lot is made by some reviewers about their ages but movies are about fantasy. And this is a fantasy often satirizing the early space program. Ignore the wrinkles and you'll hear two wonderfully honed entertainers still in tip-top form.
Also starring Robert Morley and a young Joan Collins (in a role far removed from Alexis). Collins has never been my cup of tea but she does okay.
Not the best Road movie nor the worst, but it has enough moments of pure fun to be a worthy capper to the series and not just two old guys trying to squeeze out a few more bucks from a weary road.