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kirkw17
Reviews
Yong zhe wu ju (1981)
Amazing old school Kung-fu, muddled plot
Unusually good kung-fu of the old school. This is characterized by middle shots that emphasize the acrobatic ability of the performers instead of cutting around their short comings with extreme close ups of the actions that, let's say, show a single punch or kick.
As others have mentioned the lion dance scenes alone make this movie worth watching. If you have ever had the opportunity to see a lion dance, this one is in a whole different class at least compared to the ones I've seen in Chinatown parades in the USA.
Tak-Hing Kwan, steals the movie with his portrayal of Wong Fei-Hong. At the time Kwan would have been 76 years old. He was born in the last years of the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi Tai Hou, that is, before the last Emperor Pu-Yi came to power. Truly a link between the Kung-fu of yesterday and today.
All this said, the film is flawed by mixing Hong Kong movie genres. At times it is a kung-fu revenge film, comedy, supernatural horror, master and disciple, as well as a truncated unsatisfying love interest.
Still a must see, by any standard.
Chung Gwok 'O' gei: Huet sing ching yan (1996)
Boy meets Girl and Kung-fu Police Brothers Remain Loyal
Billy Chow playing Tai is married to the endowed Mindy played by Diana Pang.
Mindy forces him to set up a kidnapping to make money. This puts him at odds with his former Kung-fu brother and policeman Li tai-Chu played by Kar-Ying Law.
There seems to be an obsession with tying bombs to people and letting the clock tick down. Li Tai-Chu discovers his true love along the way the film makers apparently unaware and any Freudian significance in the fact she blatantly reminds him of his mother.
With some minor love interest and good comedy along the way truth and just prevail.
Highlight of the film is the considerable charm and possibly acting ability of Diana Pang.