“Crazy Shaolin Disciples” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Yau Fung Hung
Cast: Wong Yu, Chin Siu Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lo Meng, Lo Lieh, May Cheung Choi Mei, Chun Wong, Philip Kwok Chung Fung, Yuen Qiu, Lee Hoi San
Running Time: 87 min.
By JJ Hatfield
I would prefer to primarily review only good films. However there are times a viewer warning should be advised when movies pretend to be something they are not. This is one of those movies.
Though marketed as yet another great Shaw movie and starring (Gordon) Lui Chia Hui, this is infantile, downright terrible and does not deserve to bear the name of Shaolin!
The plot, such as it is has an evil Manchu officer (Lo Lieh) bringing violence and carnage to a small village. Three rebels Hu Huei Chian (Chin Siu Ho), Hong Si Kuan (Lo Meng) and Fong Sai Yuk (wth?) played by Wong Yu. After the battle is over the three rebels beg for refuge and sanctuary at the Shaolin Temple. Somehow the three manage to become beginning members of Shaolin.
For most of the movie the Northern monks in training and the Southern secular disciples spend a great deal of time playing “jokes” upon each other. They are not funny. Perhaps if you are about 11 years old and find things like shit, snot, piss, etc. funny you might laugh once or twice. The new guys don’t like the mandated rules or the strict practice. These guys aren’t crazy they are brats who needed to spend more time with mommy and daddy or getting beat the crap out of by the Manchu soldiers.
Finally Gordon Liu Chia Hui as Wu Qing, (No not San Te) as a young monk gets into a scuffle or two with the three new guys. Then to add more excitement and humor (oh goody, just what this shit needs) Fong Sai Yuk releases an insane monk(Chun Wong) who causes all sorts of trouble and apparently is designed to add even more frickin’ humor.
Don’t blame this one on Lau Kar Leung! Yau Fung Hung was the director and I cannot even confirm who wrote the story, maybe a guy listed under Planning? I am not searching any more. I wouldn’t want to have my name attached to this dreck!
There is action and fighting that almost sometimes give the viewer hope they are not wasting their time completely. But then they inject some of the absolute worst ever “humor” spit out by the Shaws. Oh and some totally ludicrous wire fu that is not exciting or amusing. To add some interest Lo Lieh is still hanging around as the evil Manchu and of course wants revenge no matter how many people he has to kill!
Nothing is good enough to save this movie. There are over a hundred “Shaw Brothers” films and most of them are much better than this!
Recommendation: Don’t waste time and money on this!
JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 2/10
I agree with you, this movie is really bad. But the final fight scene is totally brutal, and really worth watching it. So to say, at least the movie has something good.