The new maturity of Hong-Kong cinema 
If "UFO" means "untypical filmed objects" rather than "Unidentified Flying Objects" to you, then Golden Chicken is what you need. After all, Applause Pictures can be seen as the big brother of this well known studio among HK movies fans. Equalling if not surpassing the best movies of the old studio, this smart comedy is filled with what a true HK fan (which means fan of the culture as well as of the movies) needs: mix of genres, great acting, cultural content. It's everything a typical Wong Jing dumb comedy lacks. It prooves that a comedy can also have a brain and help to develop yours.
Just as with UFO productions, you will find here a true love for HK history, culture and people. You will find true characters, with their lacks and qualities, evolving with the story. You will both laugh and be touched, as life is not always funny or always sad. You will follow 20 years of history in Hong-Kong through this nice gallery of touching characters. You will enjoy a fine balance between acting, directing, music and story.
It's difficult to talk about Golden Chicken without talking about Sandra Ng. Well known for her too numerous ugly-chick characters in the 80's and 90's, she finds here a character fitting perfectly her talent, demonstrating at every second that beauty and charm can be inside if they are not outside. Sandra is as full of life as was Anita Yuen at the peek of her career (which was in the UFO movies, what a coincidence...), funny, touching. One thing is sure, Sandra will go back home with a best actress award in a few weeks. The supporting actors deliver also nice performances, most of them in a typical over-acting style (Tony Leung Ka-Fai being the king of this kind of character).
Then there is of course Matt Chow's story, following Kam during 20 years of Hong-Kong history. It's difficult to recall all the hilarious scenes (Andy Lau teaching Kam how to moan, you will remember it) as well as all the touching moments. Samson Chiu's directing is serving the story perfectly, with a discreet but efficient style (good use of still frame, long shot underlying the actors talent). The music, costums, sets are also participating to the success of this story.
Overall, Golden Chicken has a strong taste of UFO production, with maybe a more typical cantonese humor. It recalls also this year's top comedies, Just one look (directed by Riley Yip, whose Metade Fumaca was one of the best UFO production...) and Frugal Game (another movie with Eric Tsang). And just like the best Fruit Chan movies, Golden Chicken IS Hong-Kong, nothing less. People who love HK movie as well as Hong Kong itself will probably say the same thing at the end of the movie: to che sai (thanks a lot).
