Kingdom of War Part I & II aka King Naresuan (Magnolia)

Posted on March 31, 2011 by JJ Bona
Kingdom of War Part I & II aka King Naresuan (Magnolia)

Kingdom of War Part I & II aka King Naresuan (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011

Kingdom of War (aka The Legend of King Naresuan) is a two-part 2007 Thai biographical historical drama film about King Naresuan the Great, who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605. The Nation calls Part I “a beautiful movie, planned to meticulous detail with the exotic designs and colors of the royal dresses, golden palaces and exotic temples.”

Part II was the #1 film at the Thailand box office for several weeks, earning US$7 million. Bangkok Post said: “Surprise, surprise: Naresuan II is good fun. The pacing crisp, the acting passionate, the warfare intense.”

The films are directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, a prolific director since the 1970s, among his films is the 2001 historical epic, The Legend of Suriyothai. A member of the Thai royal family. He is theoretically 19th in line for the Thai throne.

Part I trailer. Part II trailer. Part III is due to hit theaters March 13, 2011 in Thailand.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Operation Scorpio | aka Scorpion King (1992) Review

Posted on March 31, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Operation Scorpio" French DVD Cover

“Operation Scorpio” French DVD Cover

Director: David Lai
Cast: Chin Kar Lok, Lau Kar Leung, Kim Won Jin, Frankie Chin, May Lo, Wu Fung, Victor Hon Kwan, David Lo, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Tak, Fruit Chan Gor, Ricky Cheung, Lau Sek Yin, Tiffany Lau, Sai Gwa Paau, Sin Ho Ying
Running Time: 96 min.

By Yi-Long

Life is unfair! Why, easy! In a fair world, Kim Won Jin would have been a household name around the world by now, starring in movies with Jet Li, Jackie Chan and in movies like Crouching Tiger and The Matrix and Star Wars. In a perfect world, this guy would have been a millionaire, a legend, an idol…

Why!? Just watch him in this movie! After sending in a demo-tape showcasing his amazing abilities, he was asked to appear in this movie and what an appearance it is! Without this guy, this movie would have been BAD! It’s just another lackluster kung story about a young guy, played by Chin Kar Lok, who wants to learn kung fu to protect those who can’t protect themselves from evil.Nothing original there, just the typical boy-hood fantasy; become strong to defeat the bullies and make the world a happy happy joy joy place. Too bad for Chin Kar Lok then, but I was rooting for the bad guy in this one.

The kicking and athletic stuff Kim Won Jin shows here is simply incredible. This guy kicks like he’s in a computer game or something and jumps all over the place. Sure, some of it is wire-assisted, but a lot of it ISN’T! Forget about Ken Lo in Drunken Master 2 and forget about Whang Jan Lee; This is the new ‘Boot-master!’. It has to be seen to believe.

This movie shows why a talented guy like Chin kar Lok is totally unsuitable to play a leading man. He lacks the screen-presence, the comedy, the charisma, the ‘WHOOMP-THERE IT IS!’ other stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Sammo DO have. I think his brother, Chin Siu Ho would have made a better leading man in this movie (considering his acting ability and charisma he showcased in Fist of Legend among some other movies). The supporting cast is also a mixed bag. The girl is non-impressive, the bodybuilder IS impressive, because although he’s amazingly muscular, he comes across as a confident, smart and bright guy. Lau Kar Leung plays his usual sifu-role with no surprises anywhere, although the fight he has at the end is pretty good against multiple assailants using a 3-sectional staff and a normal staff(especially considering his age; over 50 years old I guess).

The story, as I said before, is quite poor and you also shouldn’t expect any great cinematography. It’s pretty old-fashioned in style actually which is a shame because although Kim Won Jin is extremely talented and it certainly shines through big-time in this movie, the fight scenes could have been even better with some better camera-work. Another downpoint to the fight-scenes is that none of his opponents really look powerful, not even the lead Chin Kar Lok. In Fact, CKL looks like a wimp all the way through this movie, right till the ridiculous ending where he uses some weird crawling Eel-Fu (…yeah… the fish(!)…) to try and defeat Sunny.

I like Chin Kar Lok and have a huge respect for the guy and all the stuff he has done, action and stunt-wise, but he doesn’t make a good leading man.

So what we have here is a mediocre kung fu movie brightened up by the amazing kicking talents of Kim Won Jin. It’s a shame about the lack of charisma from the leading man, and a lackluster story, supporting cast and old fashioned cinematography, but it’s still enjoyable stuff nonetheless. Could have been much better though and ‘Sunny’ should have been a major star by now.

Yi-Long’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Heroes Shed No Tears (1983) Review

Posted on March 31, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Heroes Shed No Tears" Spanish DVD Cover

“Heroes Shed No Tears” Spanish DVD Cover

Director: John Woo
Writer: John Woo
Producer: Peter Chan Ho Sun
Cast: Eddie Ko Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Chin Yuet Sang, Fung Lee, Lee Hoi Suk, Cécile Le Bailly, Philippe Loffredo, Tsang Choh Lam, Pang Yun Cheung, Bruce Cheung Mong, Chow Gam Kong, Lam Fai Wong
Running Time: 84 min.

By Numskull

Hard to believe that John Woo had been a director for about a decade before this was produced. Heroes Shed No Tears is reasonably entertaining and certainly not without some merit, but it’s also uneven, questionably paced, and, sorry to say, kind of sloppy.

The biggest problem is that the premise is so thin that scenes that fit into the story like square pegs in round holes had to be inserted to bring the film up to an acceptable length (and it’s still short). This issue is really exacerbated by the fact that there is almost no introductory footage whatsoever…things kick off with the team of mercenaries smack dab in the middle of enemy territory. A poor decision, narrative-wise, but at least the movie can’t be accused of not starting off with a bang.

Like I said, there’s some stuff in here that really bogs the movie down and doesn’t belong. The whole dice-throwing bit just sucks, and there’s an embarrassingly gratuitous sex scene. John Woo seems to treat his female characters with a bit more reverence than certain other folks we could name, but that’s not the case here. The women are disposable whores…the white guy bangs ’em and then…BANGS ’em.

Also, there are a couple of spots where logic (even action movie logic) goes straight out the window. A big huge circle of fire in the middle of a field just burns itself out without touching the surrounding grass. Did Smokey the Bear come and dowse it when nobody was looking or what? And, when Eddy Ko gets tagged in a heated firefight, the armed-to-the-teeth enemies, standing about 20 feet away, politely cease firing so he can say goodbye to his buddy in dramatic fashion.

Lam Ching-Ying is the best thespian here, giving us a memorable villain despite his few lines and lack of significant screen time. In one of the most wince-inducing scenes you’re likely to ever witness, he sews the good guy’s eyes open and strings him up beneath the merciless sun with a wooden stake planted firmly in his back. Owie.

There’s action aplenty with lotsa shooting, a big-ass body count, and a bare-knuckle duel to the death to finish things off, but the heart and soul of Woo’s later work is muted or absent most of the time.

HSNT is the last film Woo did before A Better Tomorrow, and it’s not hard to see why that film rather than this one put him on the map. Still, though, don’t dismiss this just because it’s pre-ABT. It may not be a classic but it is worth a look.

Numskull’s Rating: 6/10

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Bare-Footed Kid, The | aka Young Hero (1993) Review

Posted on March 31, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"The Bare-Footed Kid" American DVD Cover

"The Bare-Footed Kid" American DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Kei Fung
Cast: Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Ti Lung, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Paul Chun Pui, Jacqueline Wu Chien Lien, Kenneth Tsang Kon, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Wong Yat Fei, Tin Ching, Chu Tiet Wo, Cheng Ka Sang, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah, Hau Woon Ling, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Leung Kai Chi, Ng Wui, Wong Sun, Yuen Ling To
Running Time: 90 min.

By JJ Hatfield

If you experience deja vu while reading it is likely because this is a re-make of The Disciples of Shaoli made by the Shaw Brothers in the mid – seventies.

After his father dies, a destitute young man sets out to find an old friend of his father’s and hopes of a better life. He manages to find the man (Ti Lung) who is foreman at a dye factory and gives him a bed and a job. Perhaps even more important – he gives him a pair of shoes. There are those in the village who do not want the factory to succeed and will stop at nothing to obtain the secrets that have made the business so profitable. Several attempts are made to buy the factory, but the owner (Maggie Cheung) isn’t interested despite hints of threats. She is a strong determined and decisive character in the film. If not for her talent the movie would not have been nearly as palatable.

When something does go wrong, the Kid administers his own kind of retribution, which unfortunately doesn’t work out so well. Before long, he is caught up in multiple schemes and must decide what is really important to him. His transformation in act and deeds is fueled by the lure of things to possess. To forget his near treachery he drowns his sorrows in alcohol.

There is really only one thing wrong with The Bare Footed Kid: the Bare Footed Kid, as played by Aaron Kwok. The only reason I rated The Bare Footed Kid a 6.5 was because of the fine efforts delivered by Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow series, Drunken Master 2) and Maggie Cheung (Hero, with Jet Li, The Iceman Cometh), both veteran actors in a range of films including period pieces. They deliver excellent performances. However, they needed a “kid fighter” and there was no one to be found, apparently, besides Aaron Kwok. Enter Liu Chia Liang/Lau Kar Leung who some how managed to create the illusion that Kwok could fight, and fight fairly well, definitely not an enviable or simple task.

It was surprising and a bit disappointing to see the use of so much wire-fu, but apparently that was the only way Lau Kar Leung could make it appear Kwok had a clue about martial arts, and was in good enough shape to carry it out. Fortunately it was enough to pass off Kwok without changing the plot.

I also didn’t like the serious use of wires with a fight with Ti Lung. Granted he wanted to show the Kid a whole lotta fighting skills in a very short period of time but it was just too much. Ti Lung was only around 46 when he was in this movie–plenty young enough to do almost all of his fighting without the wires.

Nevertheless, his role as foreman and friendship with the owner adds some interest to the film. He also has a *solo* fight with about a hundred henchmen who are there to stop his interfering with the crime business. Ti Lung is an excellent actor and a damn good fighter and it’s always a thrill to watch him fight.

The ending is worth waiting for, courtesy of Lau Kar Leung. His reputation for amazing fight choreography and long fight sequences does not disappoint! Two nearly back-to-back fights is typical as is his use of unusual but deadly weapons. Without giving away the ending, I was disappointed in one aspect of the Kid’s choices. Viewers will just have to watch the movie to understand my reference.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 6.5/10 (almost 7/10)

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Jackie Chan Film 4-Film Series (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2011

Contains: Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2 (Armour of God), Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons. They can also be purchased individually at later dates (click for date details): Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2, Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Project A Parts 1 & 2 DVDs (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2011

Project A is a 1983 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Jackie Chan. Film stars Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Project A Part II in the 1987 sequel also directed by and starring Jackie Chan. Both will be re-issued (separately) on 5/10/11.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Read cityonfire.com’s reviews for Project A and Project A 2.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Operation Condor DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Operation Condor: Armour of God 2" International Theatrical Poster

"Operation Condor: Armour of God 2" International Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011

Armour of God II: Operation Condor is a 1991 Hong Kong martial arts-action film, directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It is the sequel to his hit “Armour of God”, which was retitled to “Operation Condor 2” in America.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Operation Condor 2 aka Armour of God DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011

Armour of God is a 1987 Hong Kong martial arts action film co-directed by, and starring Jackie Chan. It was released in America as “Operation Condor 2,” when in fact, “Operation Condor” is the film’s sequel. Talk about confusion…

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Dragon Lord DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Dragon Lord" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Dragon Lord" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011

Dragon Lord is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It was originally supposed to be a sequel to The Young Master and even had the name Young Master in Love until it was changed to Dragon Lord. It will be re-issued on DVD 5/10/11

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Supercop/Twin Dragons Double Feature Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2011

Supercop (starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung) and Twin Dragons (starring Jackie Chan x2, directed by Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark) will both be available for the first time on Blu-ray, and Twin Dragons will be re-issued on DVD (5/24/11).

You can also get the Supercop Blu-ray or DVD on its own.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Posted on March 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: 5/10/11

Supercop (aka Police Story 3), is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts action crime comedy film starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, and re-issued on DVD (5/3/11). You can also get the Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray at a special price.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong (2005) Review

Posted on March 29, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong" DVD Cover

“Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong” DVD Cover

Director: Ian Taylor
Writer: Ian Taylor
Cast: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Lau Kar-Leung, David Chiang, Shih Kien, Gordon Liu, Cheng Pei Pei, Chor Yuen
Running Time: 55 min.

By Mighty Peking Man

After watching Ian Taylor’s Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong, I realize how much of a Hong Kong film connoisseur I’m not. The essence of this IFC produced documentary is that it digs deep into the beginnings of Hong Kong cinema, with well researched historical information and clips from some of the first Chinese films. It goes back from 1928′ Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery and 1949’s The True Story of Wong Fei Hung to the newer films that they inspired such as Drunken Master and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Dozens of action-packed scenes are showcased, covering everything from Shaw Brothers titles like Come Drink With Me, One-Armed Swordsman, and Magic Blade to Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and Jet Li’s Once Upon A Time In China and many more. Honourable mentions include the renowned Shaw Brothers studios, King Hu, Chang Cheh, and of course, Bruce Lee.

There are trivia footnotes scattered throughout, such as the huge influence Japanese film had on Hong Kong cinema (like 1962’s Zatoichi) and Jackie Chan explaining how he became famous by being everything Bruce Lee was not. Common practices regarding the production of Hong Kong film are also explored such as camera techniques, special effects, and the usage of prop weapons. Lau Ka-Leung and Gordon Liu, two of the Shaw Brothers’ top stars, are shown doing some of these demonstrations.

The documentary is packed with interviews with some of Hong Kong cinema’s most influential players like Sammo Hung (Winners & Sinners), Lau Ka-Leung (Legendary Weapons of China), David Chiang (The New One-Armed Swordsman), Shih Kien (Enter the Dragon), Gordon Liu (36th Chamber of Shaolin), Cheng Pei Pei (Come Drink With Me), Chor Yuen (The Magic Blade) and many others.

I personally could have done without some of the X-Men and The Replacement Killers clips but they were obviously thrown in to justify the influence Kong Kong films have on popular Hollywood action films of today. For a running time of 55 minutes, Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong does a damn good job of giving the viewer a quick, but efficient insight into one the world’s most exciting cinema. I especially recommend this documentary to anyone who still hasn’t got into Shaw Brothers films, as they seem to be showcased more than anything, and that’s a good thing.

Recommended.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Asian Related, Documentary, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Circle of Iron | aka The Silent Flute (1979) Review

Posted on March 29, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Silent Flute" Theatrical Poster

“The Silent Flute” Theatrical Poster

Director: Richard Moore
Cast: David Carradine, Jeff Cooper, Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall, Eli Wallach, Anthony De Longis, Earl Maynard, Erica Creer, Leo Whang, Tom Ascensio
Running Time: 102 min.

By Raven

Bruce Lee had helped write a screen play called The Silent Flute, which was never produced. Following his death, that screenplay was sold and changed beyond recognition, leaving only a few elements of the original. What became of this mess was Circle of Iron, a very bad David Carradine movie. As a martial arts film, it has flat choreography. As an adventure film, it simply fails to stage content or emotion.

By the looks of it all, its makers intended on a epic, they must have settled for a lot less somewhere down the line. Still, some of Lee’s imagery still lingers on, the ending where the hero looks into his treasure is a great example of what the entire film could have been.

Interestingly, Bruce Lee must have felt close to his writing of Flute which is based on a martial artists in search of a guarded treasure, he would later rework this idea into another screen play entitled Game of Death. A film that also never saw the light of day in its original format due to his passing.

It has been written, that a third attempt to get the original Flute produced was made by Bruce’s son Brandon Lee who had acquired the rights, he too died before production. It would be a good day for all martial artist and movie fans alike if and when a respected film maker brings to the screen what Bruce Lee intended on more than thirty years ago.

Raven’s Rating: 4/10

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , |

Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

Posted on March 29, 2011 by JJ Bona
Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

RELEASE DATE: Pending

Enforcer (aka Father Is A Hero) is a 1995 Hong Kong action film directed by Corey Yuen (Righting Wrongs) and starring Jet Li, Anita Mui, Blackie Ko, Yu Rongguang and Damian Lau.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

To Kill with Intrigue (1976) Review

Posted on March 28, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"To Kill with Intrigue" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“To Kill with Intrigue” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei
Cast: Jackie Chan, Hsu Feng, San Yat Lung, Yu Ling Lung, George Wang Jue, Tung Lam, Ma Kei, Kong Ching Ha, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Man Tai, Tsang Ming Cheong
Running Time: 110 min.

By JJ Hatfield

This review will be brief as I have already wasted enough time watching the damned movie.

Two martial arts families clash and one family is wiped out except for Jackie.  He is captured and taken back to the enemy territory because the leader of the family is in love with him. But he has a pregnant girlfriend back home.

There isn’t much more of a plot and there are some possibly disturbing torture scenes such as the leader burning his face and making him drink acid. Enough. This is a wretched wreck of bad acting, meaningless conversations, dreadful dubs, pathetic plot… it’s totally terrible!

There are a few fight scenes I believe but I was near comatose from boredom.  Do not buy this movie. Do not rent this movie. This is one of the worst Jackie Chan movies ever made, perhaps one of the worst movies in general to be made. If you see a copy do not touch it. Inform the local authorities there is a toxic object they need to handle with care. If you see it just walk on by. The only intrigue is how this film was ever made.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 2/10

By Numskull

lMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

“I am not a pervert”

– Numskull

It all began the day Lo Wei decided he didn’t want to do “just kung-fu” films anymore. So Lo Wei approached Jackie Chan and said “Our next project will be a mix of action and mystery. You’ll need longer hair, so grow it out with the stuff I use on my private parts, we’ll call it TO KILL WITH INTRIGUE, it will be a great movie!”

And Jackie replied: “Fat shit Lo Wei, you wouldn’t know a great movie if one came up and bit you on the ass!”

But Lo Wei whipped out the almighty film contract between the two of them, which clearly stated that Jackie must must agree to star in the new movie. Then, because of having “The next Bruce Lee” under his thumb gave him a gleeful sense of power, Lo Wei whipped something else out too. And he said, “If you don’t do this movie, I’ll see it that you never work again in this town! How do you feel about that!?”

Then, with a small amount of hostility, came Jackie’s response: “That’s the stupidest question you’ve asked me since the one about whether or not I wanted to watch you bury your bone with that stray dog. Well, two can play at this game! How do you feel about having your hand wrapped around that pathetic little squeak-toy of yours, you sodomizer of homeless canines?!?”

And Lo Wei answered: “I feel a familiar sensation of subdued ecstasy, which gives way to giddy anticipation as I insert said appendage into my vagina for double the pleasure…it’s good to be a hermaphrodite. So, will you do the movie or not?”

“You’re a real pain in my ass”, snapped Jackie.

“Don’t you wish”, came the reply.

“But I haven’t done it doggie-style with a human being since my knee surgery. Besides, I just gave myself an abortion and you know that always leaves me in a rotten mood.”

A wave of realization swept over Jackie, “Oh, so THAT explains the half-starved rat on the string! Is it just me, or do you treat animals better than you treat people?”

Lo Wei twitched nervously, “My lawyer told me not to answer questions like that, or else the Audubon Society will be after me again. So, are you going to star in TO KILL WITH INTRIGUE or do I have to give kung-fu lessons to some alter boy with an acquired taste for oral communication?”

Jackie’s reply was fairly predictable, “Yeah, sure, whatever…but you have to stop tying me up while I’m asleep and forcing me to watch your homemade porno movies Clockwork Orange style, I’ll wear a wig and leave more Miracle-Pube for you”

“It’s a deal”

So, what we have here is an attempt at a genuine mystery story with kung-fu as a plot engine. Does it work? The answer, unfortunately is NO…though it is a definite improvement over the previous JC films made along those lines! “Killer Meteors” (which, in all fairness, may have a good story in its native language, but is an absolute mess in english). Viewed from a general perspective, “To Kill with Intrigue” is a hemorrhoid on the ass of Hong Kong cinema, only worth seeing if you are a fanatical JC completest. Even the last fight scene is a let down…towards the end of it, Jackie gets knocked down and, as he gets to his feet, is kicked back to the ground again…

About nine consecutive times. Bruce Lee would cringe. Oh well…this gets a 4/10 because of the conscious departure from the generic chop-socky structure. Plus, I just had so much fun writing this review, I was in a charitable mood.

Numskull’s Rating: 4/10

By Andrew

Ok, this is what you need to know, i.e. the consumer reports version of what to expect:

– Jackie chases off his girl after making her pregnant
– Some fantasy kung fu
– Jackie is pursued by a witch
– Some wussy gang beats people up
– An old guy helps Jackie out, but Jackie is a punk
– More fantasy kung fu crappy music
– More kung fu torture
– More crappy music
– More torture
– Still torture
– A fight
– Movie ends

Or in plain english:

This film tries to be many things. It tries to be dramatic, suspenseful, and sad like a greek tragedy or hamlet. It tries to use funky camera angles for cinematic effect. The $5 tape I watched blanked every couple minutes or so for cinematic effect.I’m not sure which one was better. Some witch really tortures Jackie because “CAN”T YOU SEE THAT I LOVE HIM!” oh of course, we all like to torture and scar the ones whom we love. Well in this film it’s true, because Jackie chases off the girl he loves after treating her like dirt.

There’s a fight at the end, and Jackie kills the bad guy. Sure he deserved it for that fake chest that he had painted on to look tougher. Then the film pretty much ends. We are all happy because now we can go back to our lives. To give you some idea of just how bad this film was I should tell you that a friend of mine – who is a big Jackie chan fan himself – watched this movie to about the halfway point and said, “so when does Jackie show up? Is he the baby of the pregnant girl and the funny looking guy?” Yeah, it’s really that bad.

Andrew’s Rating: 2/10

By Aloho

I put myself through torture watching this. The story/acting sucks and so the fighting is what I really relied on. Fights weren’t that bad, but not that good either. Camera angles were ridiculous. Maybe rent it for a very cheap price if every other movie is rented out, but for the sake of of humanity, don’t be as stupid as me and buy this garbage. I almost threw it out for taking up to much space!

Aloho’s Rating: 2/10

By Dusty

The coolest thing about this movie is the title. However, I am always one to look on the good sides of Jackie’s movies, and so, I found enough good things to keep me interested. This movie was weird. It scared me a little bit. The costumes were scary kind of. Well, plot, directing, and acting aside, it’s still a Jackie Chan movie, and gets a decent score from me!

Dusty’s Rating: 4/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |
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