I'm for the Hippopotamus (1979)

Another reviewer (robertofuiano) is critical of the critics of this film. In an obviously poor English translation of his native Italian, Mr. Fuiano states that reviewers should judge this film on its own merits and not in comparison to other Terence Hill/Bud Spencer films. That is not easy to do, since fans naturally hope for or expect the same quality film as "They Call Me Trinity," for example.

"I'm for the Hippopotamus" features pretty much the same Hill-Spencer relationship and the same formula of periodic fistfight scenes played for comedy. In these aspects, it is far inferior to "Trinity," and is surely a disappointment.

However, even apart from comparison to "Trinity," "Hippopotamus" suffers from a terrible, stupid script, poor character development and bad direction. It is a cheesy, sophomoric film. Maybe it would be entertaining after a few beers, but not for anyone who is seeking a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours.

Now back to the comparisons: I am slowly wading my way through the entire Terence Hill/Bud Spencer collection, and I have many more films to go through. Thus far, I have found only "They Call Me Trinity," "My Name is Nobody," and the "Don Matteo" TV series to be worth a repeat viewing. "Blackie the Pirate," surprisingly, might make that short list, too; a little lower on the list (maybe worthy of watching on a totally boring evening) would be "Trinity is Still My Name," "Lucky Luke," and "The Troublemakers." After seeing real dogs like "Boot Hill," "Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure," and this film, I am becoming concerned that it's pretty much downhill from here.

As for Mr. Fuiano, I think it is fair to say that standards of comedy are different from country to country. British humor is different from American humor, and I'm sure Italians are entertained by things that Americans might find droll. So I do respect that another perspective from another culture might disagree with my very American point of view.

Fmovies: 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.

I'm for the Hippopotamus fmovies. beautiful film. As to the usual one, the usual negative comments which talk about a classical film some years 80 which everyone does not like it to the nostalgic ones are met.Sure Heros that this film had to have a judgment in this site. In fact reviewers' good part has put a high vote to the previous episodes. Because this contrast? I know the reason. Since assumptive reviewers' good part favorably sees the past and as the past is "better" than the present they have given several credit to the preceding episodes being still the last episode more explosive and spectacular. At this point should reject also the old episodes but there are here two weights and two measure.In fact also cinema masterpieces have been criticized and denigrated. Good part some reviewers of this site belong to the very bad reviewers. Better think separately with its head.

Plenty of laughs and fight scenes in this one and this is the only one of their movies where Spencer comes across a guy who is nearly as tough as he is.

Hard to deal with seeing wild animals locked up in cages, but I suppose that it's good that Spencer and Hill were on a mission to set them all free. Some of the scenes really did look like animals were being set free for real.

BTW, hippopotami only feature in the first scene. A laughing mechanical one in particular.

For the most part I'm for the Hippopotamus is a standard Hill & Spencer offering, consisting of mild comedy mixed with some fist fights. Like usual the plot isn't much to talk about, and mainly exists as to supply some bad guys for them to brawl with. In this case Jack Ormond and his gang of poachers, who are catching African wildlife which they want to sell to a Canadian zoo! Tom and Slim have to team up to prevent this whichever way they can, misbehaving themselves at lunch, putting up a casino scam and off course talking with their fists...

So far nothing we haven't seen from them before, and the quality too is as usual. Although dated, it has the just OK production values we're used to in a Hill & Spencer movie. Nevertheless it's among my favorites of their work, and that has to be because of the nice scenery together with all the wild animals. We get to see quite a few lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, ostriches and wildebeests. Not only nice to look at but they do interact with them in a respectful if not loving way which is quite an accomplishment while sending out a powerful message.

Well worth a watch for that alone.