BUSTED WATER PIPES (爆水管) (2026)

Genre: Comedy/Crime
Director: Zhou Difei
Cast: Eddie Peng, Allen, Zhou You, Yan Peilun, Yang Haoyu, Jiang Xueming, Fu Hang, Pan Binlong, Bu Yu, Zhang Qi, Huang Yan, Xu Dong, Yang Zhen, Cynthia Yang, Prem Yadav
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Violence And Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 24 January 2026

Synopsis: n a small Southeast Asian town, police officer Yu Dahai (Eddie Peng) works tirelessly from dawn to dusk, striving to maintain a zero-crime rate for seven consecutive years. However, due to the lack of cases, the entire police force faces dismissal — their "iron rice bowls" have turned into "plastic bowls." In a bid to save their jobs, Yu Dahai decides to collaborate with his teammates to fabricate a major case. Meanwhile, a real crisis is unfolding: Luo Hao and Niu Dalun, a family of tomb raiders who have come to seek refuge with Luo Siji, have set their sights on a legendary treasure-filled ancient tomb — located directly beneath the police station...

Movie Review:

To be honest, Busted Water Pipes is not exactly the kind of movie one would associate with Eddie Peng, who is best known for his frequent collaborations with Hong Kong director Dante Lam in high-octane action blockbusters. However, Peng has recently been stepping away from his action-hero image, choosing instead to work with mainland filmmakers on more unconventional projects.

In Zhou Difei’s first full-length feature, Peng plays Yu Dahai, a former SWAT commander demoted to a small-town village cop after a mission goes disastrously wrong. Life in Ho Ping town offers little excitement for Dahai. When a senator announces plans to cut down the local police force due to low crime rate, Dahai and his fellow officers hatch a desperate plan: fabricate a major case to justify keeping their jobs. Meanwhile, a group of tomb raiders arrives in town, seeking help from local wellness retreat owner Luo Siji (Allen) to recover a legendary pirate treasure rumored to be buried beneath the police station.

Unlike Peng’s usual heroic screen persona, Busted Water Pipes gives the 43-year-old actor little opportunity to flex his action muscles. Instead, the film plays out as a chaotic crime comedy packed with random tropes and scattered plot threads, resulting in an experience that is both distracting and amusing. There’s a modest amount of violence, but the tone leans heavily toward absurdity.

The film’s strongest asset is undoubtedly its colorful supporting cast. A stuttering tomb raider henchman, a foolish uncle with hilariously bad ideas, a policeman who cannot hit his target, and a recurring gag involving an angry bull all inject steady doses of slapstick humor. Without these gags, the already thin plot might struggle to hold attention.

Adding to the mayhem is the ultra-violent escaped convict Luo Hao (Zhou You), whose psychopathic tendencies escalate the chaos. The director seems intent on delivering a bombastic action finale, but the third act descends into a confusing flurry of shootouts. The sudden inclusion of an armed gang of loan sharks and accountants feels particularly unnecessary and contributes little to the story.

One cannot help but wonder if there is a clause in Peng’s contract requiring him to play a single father yet again after The Rescue. Here, he has a precocious daughter, Xiaohe, who conveniently disappears for most of the runtime, only to reappear as a hostage in the finale. Peng delivers a serviceable performance, but he is largely overshadowed by the film’s quirky ensemble.

Overall, Busted Water Pipes is a convoluted mess but in a somewhat entertaining way. The movie struggles to decide whether it wants to be a straightforward heist film, a treasure-hunting adventure, or a full-blown goofy comedy. Nevertheless, if you go in with low expectations, it remains a mildly enjoyable, cartoonish romp filled with equally cartoonish characters.

Movie Rating:

(A chaotic blend of genres with a thin plot, elevated by eccentric characters and slapstick humor)

Review by Linus Tee