venoms5
12-05-2007, 06:55 AM
SHAOLIN RESCUERS 1979 aka AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN Action ****/blood **1/2 /Movie *****
Lo Mang, Kuo Chui, Pai Piao, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Wang Hsung, Yu Tai Peng, Tan Chin Tu, Liu Huang Shi, Wang Li
Directed by Chang Cheh
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Three young friends who only want a chance to do something famous before they die stumble upon an injured Hung Si Kwan (Piao). Hung is being pursued by Chinese traitor Kao Chin Chuen and the Wu Tang disciples. They nurse Hung back to health and the three join forces with Hung as well as another rebel patriot Han Chi (Sheng) for an explosive battle during the conclusion.
Chang Cheh's second Shaolin film with his Venom crew is arguably the best of the three he did with his second team of actors. Fully aware that comedy had taken center stage within the consensus of HK moviegoers, Chang instills a bit of it here and does so very well; far more sucessfully than his previous full on comedy kung fu film THE MAGNIFICENT WANDERERS (1977), which, although a failed attempt, was before the comedy action stylings of SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW (1978) slowly took control of the box office in HK.
Chang spends a decent amount of time letting us get to know his three main protagonists, Chen A Jin (Lo), Yang Da Bao (Kuo) and Zhu Chai(Sun). Chen works in a bean curd shop, Yang works as a waiter in a restaurant and Zhu works in a dyeing mill and occasionally frequents his Lama kung fu school. The banter between these three is very funny. Chen's boss sees him as lazy and irresponsible and constantly threatens him docking his pay for whatever reason he can come up with. More time is spent with Lo and Kuo's characters but Sun Chien is given the most time to shine than on any of his previous Venom films. There are several great scenes where you get to see Sun showing his stuff atop the Seven Star Lama Poles. Seeing him run and kick while standing on poles (a number of them bigger than others) is an impressive display of balance and skill.
The comedy never overtakes the seriousness of the main story but it adds to the film lending a likeability to the characters as well as humanizing them in a way not usually associated with Chang's heroes. One funny scene has Chen and Yang finding the unconscious Hung and after searching his clothes they find a paper with writing on it. Chen cannot read. Yang feigns knowing how and tries to play it off. Zhu shows up and learns that it's a presciption for medicine; special medicine that only the Lama Clan knows. There are also a number of pranks the three friends play on their bosses and each other which are quite funny. It is not until Hung fully recovers that the friends take things seriously. The main theme running through the film is self-worth and accomplishing a goal or at least something or importance to be remember for. The three friends feel that by helping Hung Si Kwan fight the Manchu's their names will go down in history and their miserable, dead-end existence will finally mean something.
Lo Mang is quite good here as usual. This film is unusual for him in that in addition to his hand-to-hand fighting, he also uses a trident on a couple of ocassions. One of only a scant few times he is ever seen brandishing a weapon. He used a sword in THE BASTARD SWORDSMAN (1983), CLAN FEUDS (1982; where he played Ti Lung's brother) and also in SECRET SERVICE OF THE IMPERIAL COURT (1984). Lo learned the Mantis style in real life since he was a young boy and it is this style he uses in all his movies save for the sword pictures he appeared in. He was also a former accountant at Shaw Brothers in the 70s before he caught Chang Cheh's attention. His first appearance was in SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976). His physique was always implemented into his roles for Chang Cheh as he constantly played very strong characters and even played a Hercules character in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980), which was a showcase for Lo. He even did some solo movies such as LION VS. LION (1981; aka ROAR OF THE LION), FAST FINGERS (1983) and the crime films MEN FROM THE GUTTER (1983) and PURSUIT OF A KILLER (1985). Lo takes his training very seriously and recently performed a feat of strength stunt on a HK Awards show when the original performer bowed out from an injury. Lo is a very nice and approachable individual who has a fondness for American music from the 60s and 70s. He continues to act to this day appearing in numerous HK television shows and in films like EBOLA SYNDROME (1996), SEX & ZEN 3 (1998) and most recently in a drama entitled 49 DAYS (2006).
Kuo Chui, as always, is the ring leader of the Venoms and here he uses the Black Tiger Kung Fu style which enables the practitioner to use anything as a weapon. This was his favorite movie of the Venom films he appeared in. Chui was a student of the Lu Kwan Peking Opera School where he trained along with his other Venom compatriots Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng (Fu Shing Opera troupe) and Cheng Tien Chi. Other notable actors who were also in Peking Opera troupes are Chu Ko (5 ELEMENT NINJAS), Lee Yi Min (7 GRANDMASTERS), Jack Long (MYSTERY OF CHESS BOXING) and future actor and choreographer Robert Tai. Chui also grabbed old school kung fu fans attention when he appeared in John Woo's HARD BOILED (1992) playing a fairly large role as the hitman Mad Dog. Lo Mang also appears in the film as a disgruntled gangster. Chui was also in Jacky Chan's POLICE STORY 3 acting as well as performing choreographing duties but he walked away from the film when much of his fight footage was being cut out. This included a fight between him and Chan. Chui was also set to be stunt coordinator on HARD TARGET (1995) but a Union interference kept this from happening. Chui was also set to play a nemesis to James Bond in GOLDENEYE(!) but because of his lack of English, he declined. Chui did however, make a cameo appearance as well as choreograph action on TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997). He would become one of HK's most sought after fight choreographers creating action for high profile films like THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR (1993) and the French film THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (2002).
Lu Feng delivers an almost TERMINATOR-like performance here portraying real Chinese traitor Kao Chin Cheung. He, along with the Wu Tang specialists destroy the Shaolin Temple in a very Opera tinged opening scene. Hung Si Kwan escapes and the five villains take off after the injured Hung. Lu was incredibly talented and was a weapons master. He more often than not played villains and was tremendous at it. He won an award for Best Supporting Actor for his role here. He was without doubt an intimidating screen villain despite his short stature. If you look at his feet in his movies, you'll notice his shoes have thick padding on the bottoms to give him a bit more height. Lu Feng along with Kuo and Chiang Sheng were childhood friends and worked best with each other as they all knew each others movements and could lay down a complicated fight scene rather quickly. Lu Feng also played Kao in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980) but his performance here surpasses that one (he doesn't appear in that film until 3/4 in). Lu plays Kao as an almost unstoppable force revealing much control and dominance over his adversary's. Here, he uses his hands as well as hidden fork-like weapons in his boots and a deadly pig tail which is lethal. Lu Feng played an ocassional good guy from time to time such as in THE DAREDEVILS (1979) and INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978). He is most exciting to watch as a villain though. Early appearances are in SHAOLIN AVENGERS (1976), NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976) and the non-shaw film SECRET RIVALS 2 (1976).
Chiang Sheng plays a slightly lesser role here as rebel patriot Han Chi who is searching for Hung and late in the film he meets up with the three friends who have nursed him back to health and the five heroes take on the five villains in the finale. Sheng was from the famous Fu Shing Opera Troupe which also yielded the once famous, talented and very outspoken Robert Tai Chi Hsien. Sheng was also incredibly versatile often times performing choreographing duties as well as trying his hand as an AD on most all of the Venom films. He would join his two best friends back to Taiwan after Shaw closed their film production arm and the three starred in the Kuo Chui directed NINJA IN THE DEADLY TRAP (1984; aka RUTHLESS TACTICS). Kuo missed HK and tried to get Chiang to join him but his wife wanted him to stay in Taiwan. While there he didn't get the kind of roles he had hoped for and appeared with Lu Feng in NINE DEMONS (1983), ATTACK OF THE JOYFUL GODDESS (1983), FIGHT AMONG THE SUPERS (1984), SHANGHAI 13 (1984), the abysmal NINJA KIDS (1982? a Taiwanese TV show released to DVD as VENOM OF THE NINJA), the MIRACLE FIGHTERS sequel/spin-off EXCITING DRAGON (1985) and the strange and obscure 5 VENOMS VS. THE VAMPIRES (1985?). Chiang Sheng would also appear fleetingly as a vampire in the Tomas Tang laugh fest NINJA THE VIOLENT SORCERER (1985?) along with Lu Feng as a vengeful priest. Chiang Sheng eventually divorced his wife and fell into alcoholism. He died of a heart attack in 1991. It was three days before anyone found him. He was 40 years old.
Sun Chien, the Taiwanese kicker of the Venoms was horribly under used most of the time however he was given a chance to shine here and in a starring role in both INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978) and THE CHINATOWN KID (1977) opposite Fu Sheng. Sun was a Tae Kwon Do expert. He never really caught on with the HK audience. He signed a 9 year contract with Shaw's and his last appearance was in DISCIPLES OF THE 36TH CHAMBER (1984) where he simply played an extra. In between and during his tenure under Chang Cheh, Sun also appeared in a handful of Chu Yuan swordplay movies like DUEL OF THE CENTURY (1981), SPIRIT OF THE SWORD (1982) and THE BLACK LIZARD (1981). He also appeared in the downbeat WHAT PRICE HONESTY (1980) in a prominent role. He got to show off some skills in THE LADY IS THE BOSS (1983) and the classy LADY ASSASSIN (1983). Strangely enough, his role in the Venom movie HOUSE OF TRAPS (1982) didn't have him fight at all! After Shaw's Sun went on to do some choreography and he got a rare starring turn in THE PLOT (1991) opposite HK movie psycho Simon Yam Tat Wah. Sun also was action director here. The same year he co-starred in the Wang Lung Wei directed action movie THE ANGRY RANGER. A film bolstered by having Jacky Chan as producer. Sun was also an AD on this one. The film was a major disaster not even breaking the 1 million mark at the box office. Sun simply disappeared after this and it was rumored he was managing a HK McDonalds(!) but this has never been confirmed.
Pai Piao was already a well known actor who had a steady stream of starring roles throughout the 70s and 80s. Here, he is a bit out of his element fighting alongside the Venoms. Although he can fight, he is not as impressive an on screen fighter as the Venoms are. It would have been much better if Chen Kuan Tai could have been cast here as it would have been fun to see him back in the role of Hung Si Kuan and he also has a better chemistry with Chang's second team of actors. Pai played both good and bad guys in his career and like some other Shaw stars, he risked being sued by appearing in indy productions while under contract with Shaw Brothers.
The remaining cast members have all had fruitful careers in HK cinema and one of the most promising, Wang Li, was formally introduced in this film. Wang was a phenomenal performer and not a lot is known about him after his tenure at Shaw's ended. He began in small roles during the earlier part of the 70s and can be seen in the fan favorite MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE (1976) as well as with Lu Feng during the end fight of the lackluster SECRET RIVALS 2 (1976). Amazingly, Wang Li showed up at the beginning of the mega obscure NINJA STRIKE (1983?) and is never seen again after a great fight with a group of ninjas in what is supposed to be the closing days of WW2. Wang's specialty must have been double weapons because most of his Venom film appearances feature him brandishing a pair of bladed implements. He is extremely good and his one fight with Lu Feng and his followers so as to allow Hung to escape is a highlight. Wang also impressed immensely in the Venom films THE REBEL INTRUDERS (1980) and THE DAREDEVILS (1979). He was most successful playing villains which he did most often. He also played one of the brothers in 5 ELEMENT NINJAS (1982); the only one with a line of dialog who participated in the end fight sequence.
The final battle in SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1979) is one of the most intricate, complex and elaborate fight scenes in kung fu cinema. It's a 16+ minute ten man free-for-all that features everything from empty handed action to weapons combat. A tour de force for the Venom crew and the supporting action actors. The typical long master shots yielding anywhere from a dozen to twenty moves before a cut in the camera are present here. An amazing feat in itself, it's a shame the Venom pictures were, for the most part, neglected both critically and by the HK audience. But it should be said that considering the violence level in these movies, Jacky Chan's movies were more apt to attract families and their children. even still, SHAOLIN RESCUERS was one of the most successful Venom films making a still respectable $1.8 million at the box office. Fans of the Venoms are generally divided on this one some praising the film while others only like the end fight thinking the film has nothing to offer save for the bristling finale.
One of Chang Cheh's finest achievements of his later career, it is a well balanced combination of characterization and combat melded together to create a highly enjoyable entertainment.
Lo Mang, Kuo Chui, Pai Piao, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Wang Hsung, Yu Tai Peng, Tan Chin Tu, Liu Huang Shi, Wang Li
Directed by Chang Cheh
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Three young friends who only want a chance to do something famous before they die stumble upon an injured Hung Si Kwan (Piao). Hung is being pursued by Chinese traitor Kao Chin Chuen and the Wu Tang disciples. They nurse Hung back to health and the three join forces with Hung as well as another rebel patriot Han Chi (Sheng) for an explosive battle during the conclusion.
Chang Cheh's second Shaolin film with his Venom crew is arguably the best of the three he did with his second team of actors. Fully aware that comedy had taken center stage within the consensus of HK moviegoers, Chang instills a bit of it here and does so very well; far more sucessfully than his previous full on comedy kung fu film THE MAGNIFICENT WANDERERS (1977), which, although a failed attempt, was before the comedy action stylings of SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW (1978) slowly took control of the box office in HK.
Chang spends a decent amount of time letting us get to know his three main protagonists, Chen A Jin (Lo), Yang Da Bao (Kuo) and Zhu Chai(Sun). Chen works in a bean curd shop, Yang works as a waiter in a restaurant and Zhu works in a dyeing mill and occasionally frequents his Lama kung fu school. The banter between these three is very funny. Chen's boss sees him as lazy and irresponsible and constantly threatens him docking his pay for whatever reason he can come up with. More time is spent with Lo and Kuo's characters but Sun Chien is given the most time to shine than on any of his previous Venom films. There are several great scenes where you get to see Sun showing his stuff atop the Seven Star Lama Poles. Seeing him run and kick while standing on poles (a number of them bigger than others) is an impressive display of balance and skill.
The comedy never overtakes the seriousness of the main story but it adds to the film lending a likeability to the characters as well as humanizing them in a way not usually associated with Chang's heroes. One funny scene has Chen and Yang finding the unconscious Hung and after searching his clothes they find a paper with writing on it. Chen cannot read. Yang feigns knowing how and tries to play it off. Zhu shows up and learns that it's a presciption for medicine; special medicine that only the Lama Clan knows. There are also a number of pranks the three friends play on their bosses and each other which are quite funny. It is not until Hung fully recovers that the friends take things seriously. The main theme running through the film is self-worth and accomplishing a goal or at least something or importance to be remember for. The three friends feel that by helping Hung Si Kwan fight the Manchu's their names will go down in history and their miserable, dead-end existence will finally mean something.
Lo Mang is quite good here as usual. This film is unusual for him in that in addition to his hand-to-hand fighting, he also uses a trident on a couple of ocassions. One of only a scant few times he is ever seen brandishing a weapon. He used a sword in THE BASTARD SWORDSMAN (1983), CLAN FEUDS (1982; where he played Ti Lung's brother) and also in SECRET SERVICE OF THE IMPERIAL COURT (1984). Lo learned the Mantis style in real life since he was a young boy and it is this style he uses in all his movies save for the sword pictures he appeared in. He was also a former accountant at Shaw Brothers in the 70s before he caught Chang Cheh's attention. His first appearance was in SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976). His physique was always implemented into his roles for Chang Cheh as he constantly played very strong characters and even played a Hercules character in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980), which was a showcase for Lo. He even did some solo movies such as LION VS. LION (1981; aka ROAR OF THE LION), FAST FINGERS (1983) and the crime films MEN FROM THE GUTTER (1983) and PURSUIT OF A KILLER (1985). Lo takes his training very seriously and recently performed a feat of strength stunt on a HK Awards show when the original performer bowed out from an injury. Lo is a very nice and approachable individual who has a fondness for American music from the 60s and 70s. He continues to act to this day appearing in numerous HK television shows and in films like EBOLA SYNDROME (1996), SEX & ZEN 3 (1998) and most recently in a drama entitled 49 DAYS (2006).
Kuo Chui, as always, is the ring leader of the Venoms and here he uses the Black Tiger Kung Fu style which enables the practitioner to use anything as a weapon. This was his favorite movie of the Venom films he appeared in. Chui was a student of the Lu Kwan Peking Opera School where he trained along with his other Venom compatriots Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng (Fu Shing Opera troupe) and Cheng Tien Chi. Other notable actors who were also in Peking Opera troupes are Chu Ko (5 ELEMENT NINJAS), Lee Yi Min (7 GRANDMASTERS), Jack Long (MYSTERY OF CHESS BOXING) and future actor and choreographer Robert Tai. Chui also grabbed old school kung fu fans attention when he appeared in John Woo's HARD BOILED (1992) playing a fairly large role as the hitman Mad Dog. Lo Mang also appears in the film as a disgruntled gangster. Chui was also in Jacky Chan's POLICE STORY 3 acting as well as performing choreographing duties but he walked away from the film when much of his fight footage was being cut out. This included a fight between him and Chan. Chui was also set to be stunt coordinator on HARD TARGET (1995) but a Union interference kept this from happening. Chui was also set to play a nemesis to James Bond in GOLDENEYE(!) but because of his lack of English, he declined. Chui did however, make a cameo appearance as well as choreograph action on TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997). He would become one of HK's most sought after fight choreographers creating action for high profile films like THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR (1993) and the French film THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (2002).
Lu Feng delivers an almost TERMINATOR-like performance here portraying real Chinese traitor Kao Chin Cheung. He, along with the Wu Tang specialists destroy the Shaolin Temple in a very Opera tinged opening scene. Hung Si Kwan escapes and the five villains take off after the injured Hung. Lu was incredibly talented and was a weapons master. He more often than not played villains and was tremendous at it. He won an award for Best Supporting Actor for his role here. He was without doubt an intimidating screen villain despite his short stature. If you look at his feet in his movies, you'll notice his shoes have thick padding on the bottoms to give him a bit more height. Lu Feng along with Kuo and Chiang Sheng were childhood friends and worked best with each other as they all knew each others movements and could lay down a complicated fight scene rather quickly. Lu Feng also played Kao in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980) but his performance here surpasses that one (he doesn't appear in that film until 3/4 in). Lu plays Kao as an almost unstoppable force revealing much control and dominance over his adversary's. Here, he uses his hands as well as hidden fork-like weapons in his boots and a deadly pig tail which is lethal. Lu Feng played an ocassional good guy from time to time such as in THE DAREDEVILS (1979) and INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978). He is most exciting to watch as a villain though. Early appearances are in SHAOLIN AVENGERS (1976), NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976) and the non-shaw film SECRET RIVALS 2 (1976).
Chiang Sheng plays a slightly lesser role here as rebel patriot Han Chi who is searching for Hung and late in the film he meets up with the three friends who have nursed him back to health and the five heroes take on the five villains in the finale. Sheng was from the famous Fu Shing Opera Troupe which also yielded the once famous, talented and very outspoken Robert Tai Chi Hsien. Sheng was also incredibly versatile often times performing choreographing duties as well as trying his hand as an AD on most all of the Venom films. He would join his two best friends back to Taiwan after Shaw closed their film production arm and the three starred in the Kuo Chui directed NINJA IN THE DEADLY TRAP (1984; aka RUTHLESS TACTICS). Kuo missed HK and tried to get Chiang to join him but his wife wanted him to stay in Taiwan. While there he didn't get the kind of roles he had hoped for and appeared with Lu Feng in NINE DEMONS (1983), ATTACK OF THE JOYFUL GODDESS (1983), FIGHT AMONG THE SUPERS (1984), SHANGHAI 13 (1984), the abysmal NINJA KIDS (1982? a Taiwanese TV show released to DVD as VENOM OF THE NINJA), the MIRACLE FIGHTERS sequel/spin-off EXCITING DRAGON (1985) and the strange and obscure 5 VENOMS VS. THE VAMPIRES (1985?). Chiang Sheng would also appear fleetingly as a vampire in the Tomas Tang laugh fest NINJA THE VIOLENT SORCERER (1985?) along with Lu Feng as a vengeful priest. Chiang Sheng eventually divorced his wife and fell into alcoholism. He died of a heart attack in 1991. It was three days before anyone found him. He was 40 years old.
Sun Chien, the Taiwanese kicker of the Venoms was horribly under used most of the time however he was given a chance to shine here and in a starring role in both INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978) and THE CHINATOWN KID (1977) opposite Fu Sheng. Sun was a Tae Kwon Do expert. He never really caught on with the HK audience. He signed a 9 year contract with Shaw's and his last appearance was in DISCIPLES OF THE 36TH CHAMBER (1984) where he simply played an extra. In between and during his tenure under Chang Cheh, Sun also appeared in a handful of Chu Yuan swordplay movies like DUEL OF THE CENTURY (1981), SPIRIT OF THE SWORD (1982) and THE BLACK LIZARD (1981). He also appeared in the downbeat WHAT PRICE HONESTY (1980) in a prominent role. He got to show off some skills in THE LADY IS THE BOSS (1983) and the classy LADY ASSASSIN (1983). Strangely enough, his role in the Venom movie HOUSE OF TRAPS (1982) didn't have him fight at all! After Shaw's Sun went on to do some choreography and he got a rare starring turn in THE PLOT (1991) opposite HK movie psycho Simon Yam Tat Wah. Sun also was action director here. The same year he co-starred in the Wang Lung Wei directed action movie THE ANGRY RANGER. A film bolstered by having Jacky Chan as producer. Sun was also an AD on this one. The film was a major disaster not even breaking the 1 million mark at the box office. Sun simply disappeared after this and it was rumored he was managing a HK McDonalds(!) but this has never been confirmed.
Pai Piao was already a well known actor who had a steady stream of starring roles throughout the 70s and 80s. Here, he is a bit out of his element fighting alongside the Venoms. Although he can fight, he is not as impressive an on screen fighter as the Venoms are. It would have been much better if Chen Kuan Tai could have been cast here as it would have been fun to see him back in the role of Hung Si Kuan and he also has a better chemistry with Chang's second team of actors. Pai played both good and bad guys in his career and like some other Shaw stars, he risked being sued by appearing in indy productions while under contract with Shaw Brothers.
The remaining cast members have all had fruitful careers in HK cinema and one of the most promising, Wang Li, was formally introduced in this film. Wang was a phenomenal performer and not a lot is known about him after his tenure at Shaw's ended. He began in small roles during the earlier part of the 70s and can be seen in the fan favorite MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE (1976) as well as with Lu Feng during the end fight of the lackluster SECRET RIVALS 2 (1976). Amazingly, Wang Li showed up at the beginning of the mega obscure NINJA STRIKE (1983?) and is never seen again after a great fight with a group of ninjas in what is supposed to be the closing days of WW2. Wang's specialty must have been double weapons because most of his Venom film appearances feature him brandishing a pair of bladed implements. He is extremely good and his one fight with Lu Feng and his followers so as to allow Hung to escape is a highlight. Wang also impressed immensely in the Venom films THE REBEL INTRUDERS (1980) and THE DAREDEVILS (1979). He was most successful playing villains which he did most often. He also played one of the brothers in 5 ELEMENT NINJAS (1982); the only one with a line of dialog who participated in the end fight sequence.
The final battle in SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1979) is one of the most intricate, complex and elaborate fight scenes in kung fu cinema. It's a 16+ minute ten man free-for-all that features everything from empty handed action to weapons combat. A tour de force for the Venom crew and the supporting action actors. The typical long master shots yielding anywhere from a dozen to twenty moves before a cut in the camera are present here. An amazing feat in itself, it's a shame the Venom pictures were, for the most part, neglected both critically and by the HK audience. But it should be said that considering the violence level in these movies, Jacky Chan's movies were more apt to attract families and their children. even still, SHAOLIN RESCUERS was one of the most successful Venom films making a still respectable $1.8 million at the box office. Fans of the Venoms are generally divided on this one some praising the film while others only like the end fight thinking the film has nothing to offer save for the bristling finale.
One of Chang Cheh's finest achievements of his later career, it is a well balanced combination of characterization and combat melded together to create a highly enjoyable entertainment.