“Lucky Seven” Theatrical Poster
Director: Chao Chen-Kuo
Cast: Chiao Pei, Yang Wei-De, Lin Tung-An, Wang Chi-Cheng, Cheng Wei-Pai, Chang Chai-Ming, Hsu Yu-Ta, Hsiao Hung-Me, Eugene Thomas, Chang Yi-Teng
Running Time: 90 min.
By Paul Bramhall
Spend long enough in the niche genre that is kung-fu cinema, and you’ll eventually find yourself exploring some of the more obscure corners of what’s on offer. One such corner is that of the Taiwanese kids kung-fu movie, a sub-genre that rose to prominence in the 80’s and lasted into the early 90’s. While the traditional kung-fu flick was on the way out by the beginning of the 80’s, in Hong Kong the likes of Jackie Chan kept audiences engaged through bigger stunts, and an evolution into a more modern kickboxing style of screen combat. Taiwan and Korea on the other hand, while attempting to emulate the same, largely shifted their focus to making productions aimed at kids, and it was a move that turned out to be a successful one.
Many of these productions made the decision to actually have kids headline the cast, and some of the first out of the gates were 1980’s The Flying Tigers and the Kung Fu Kids and Kung Fu Kids Break Away. In 1986 the first entry of the popular Kung Fu Kids series hit the screens, spawning 5 sequels over the next 3 years, plus a reboot in 1992! Suffice to say, if watching Continue reading
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