Does Comedy Spoil A Good Action Film For You?

[David Rees]

The reason i ask is that i watched New Legend Of Shaolin last night and was put off by the constant bad so called " comedy" in the film. It starts great with a scene stolen from the Baby Cart films serious and well filmed with fast paced action. Then it switches to two characters who are comedy actors and the whole tone changes to juvenile comedy then switching to hard core over the top action when required. I know there are cultural differences about what is "funny" but i just had to fast forward past these sections to get to the action. The same can be said for modern day films such as Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars which is terrible comedy with some of the best fight scenes ever slotted inbetween! (Bad English dubbing makes them even worse!)
Films such as those with Stephen Chow are a bit different like Shaolin Soccer because you know its a comedy going in and the tone is the same throughout. Some old school classics such as Snake In The Eagles Shadow work because the comedy is a bit more subtle and physical.
What are others opinions of this?

[One Armed Boxer]

I think it's definitely a case of just becoming familiar with what you're going to be watching.

'New Legend Of Shaolin' was directed by Wong Jing, who is infamous for putting ridiculously juvenile humor in his films. He also directed the Jackie Chan movie 'City Hunter', and Chan fell out with him on set over creative differences. In retaliation Wong Jing made the other Jet Li move 'High Risk', which has Jacky Cheung obviously playing a parody of Chan as an actor who supposedly does all his own stunts but is often doubled.

These actions alone prove that Wong Jing has a very juvenile streak himself. However both 'New Legend Of Shaolin' & 'High Risk' are choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai, so it is probably his choreography you enjoy more than the movie itself.

In regards to 'Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars'....this was one of Sammo Hung's line of Lunar New Year movies which are also synonomous with wacky humor and crazy antics that don't always translate well for a western audience. I understand why you would go into it expecting an action movie though, particularly the Hong Kong Legends DVD cover clearly advertises it as an all out action movie, were it is really more of a comedy with wild fight scenes scattered throughout.

[niro]

I enjoy comedy in action films, its good fun, but sometimes the comedy can be just so utterly stupid its not funny in any way.

There are various different types of comedy in action films, I cant stand constant wacky and sillyness in films, its just an excuse to make a poor quality film and call it a comedy

[Yi-Long]

If the comedy is genuinely funny, and fits with the tone of the movie, I can obviously enjoy it. Good example is the small bits of comedy in Ong-Bak, like the market-chase with the scene with the knifes for instance.

However, in HK movies I find the 'comedy' usually pretty pathetic. Just watched Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars last weeks, and it's pretty hard not to turn that shit off. The action in it is very good, but my gawd, how I loathe the comedy in these 'Lucky Stars' movies. Horrible.

In Dragons Forever, or Drunken Master 2, or Last Hero in China, it was all still very acceptable cause they're mostly just very small short scenes of 'comedy', and in those films the comedy wasn't that bad either, but in those Lucky Stars flicks the 'funny' scenes can drag on for over 5 minutes orso, and it's just a complete waste.

Also, I hate OTT humour, with people doing dumbass 'slapstick' when they're 'in' on the joke, or playing OTT characters who are nowhere near realistic, or just 'zany' situations.
I much prefer some witty banter and smart writing, and dead-pan humour and performances.
I love the comedy in a movie like Out of Sight, or Ocean's Eleven.

So it depends on the kind of humour, the quality of the humour, the quality of the delivery/performances, and if it actually fits the movie it's in.

[OldPangYau]

I've always thought about this... it really all boils down to the seriousness of the overall film. Some of Sammo Hung's films, for example, seem to have an odd mix of humor and a rising body count. Warriors Two, for one, has quite the body count with a pretty brutal finale... yet the survivors act like they're two steps away from saying "let's get a drink!" in the ending. Same with The Master. Don't let the dead bodies deter the jovial mood in the final scene! I dunno, maybe I'm too "one side or the other".

[Fightingfist]

I like some comedy with bit more action

[massa_yoda]

I was showing some friends Shanghai Express last week as a part of my Kung Fu Theater meetings and i was a little embarrased. I remembered it as being a top showing of Sammo's abilities with an all out action finale, but then there are moments like when sammo was fighting the "cowboy" and they rolled down the snowy hill and became a giant glowy snowball. And then there is fast-motion running and other "comedic" touches that made me think i should have shown another film to these initiates. They still liked it, but still, why did Sammo have to put all these random cartoon moments in here? Good enough to own only because of how awesome it ends.

Movies i can't own because the slapstick is just too much for me:
City Hunter
Tai-Chi Master

Probably more, but i can't think of any right now.

[I Like Elaine]

Depending on the tone of the movie, I actually like having comedy in my action moves. I can see where some people may be annoyed, and find it stupid. But speaking for myself (and specifically of HK films), I couldn't imagine it without the mash up of other genres.

Again it depends. Some movies "comedy" is so bad and cringe worthy, you actually feel embarassed for the actors (here's looking at you Last Blood). But when it works out, it's pretty good. For example I like the humour in Hard Boiled when the baby puts out the fire on CYF's pant leg with piss, etc. It fits the over the top aspect of the movie, and it's just a fun wild ride. Whereas if they added comedy to something like Bullet In the Head, it would totally not work because it doesn't fit the bleakness of the movie (even though there's plenty of over the top moments).

[The Dragon]

I don't like comedy in my Kung Fu movies. Humor, yes, because it breaks up the dramatic intensity. But all out, wacky, comedy? No.
David Rees is right when he says, you know what to expect going into a Stephen Chow film. You shouldn't expect otherwise. Lots of the genre has had moments when the attempts at laughs went too far. Subtlety is the key.

[The Silver Fox]

The comedy is something I've come to accept in Asian action/MA films.I find it generally brings down excellent movies down a notch or two for me. It seems Sammo is being brought up alot so I'll use two of his films as examples:

Magnificent Butcher-A girl is brutally assaulted and stangled-then there's a comedic segment where Sammo comes home loaded and finds her dead in his bed. The whole thing seemed demented to me. The scene proceeding it is pretty realistic of the chick being beaten up so to have slapstick comedy right after it was very un-funny.

Warriors Two-Great flick,great fights decent story but...Dean Shek. My opinion is that this guy was either a triad or had triad connections who forced filmakers to put him in their movies. I can think of no other reason why this annoying clown is in so many top notch movies and seems to do his best to ruin them. He isn't funny on any level and the only time I enjoy his screen presence is when he is being killed.

[Drunken Monk]

I, for one, actually love comedy in kung fu movies. Originally I didn't really get it...at all. I was perplexed by how many of these scenes could be seen as amusing and often got frustrated with lang, drawn out comedic pieces.
However, as I've matured in my love of the genre, I've come to enjoy the humour. I love "City Hunter," as well as the "Lucky Stars" series. They provide genuine laughs.
The comedy does get somewhat zany in film like "Miracle Fighters" and "Taoist Drunkard" but I still love them.

As for Dean Shek? I can love him or leave him. In some movies his comedy works (his "Rocking Horse" character springs to mind) but in others he is a terrible nuisance.

I think "The Odd Couple" is a great example of kung fu comedy. It's mostly character driven and the great plot device (Sammo and Lau Kar Wing playing both teacher and student) works great as a comic device.

I do have some trouble with really over the top toilet humour though. Sometimes the piss-related comedy just seems a little too much and "A fart for the Stick King" doesn't warrant so much as a titter from yours truly.

[Poelie]

I still can 't stand a lot of Hong Kong comedy. The Lucky Stars series is unwatchable because of it, I can't rewatch My Young Auntie because of it. I DARE you to watch Flying Dagger (with Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, Man Cheung).

[AbeRudder]

The comedy is something I've come to accept in Asian action/MA films.I find it generally brings down excellent movies down a notch or two for me.


Yeah i agree with this, comedy like in Dragons Forever is great (the scene where Jackie is trying to hide Yuen Biao and Sammo from his date was classic) but for the most part its a chore to sit through (My Lucky Stars, Pantyhose Hero, The Leg Fighters etc.) Im fairly used to sitting through crappy comedy to see sweet fights now, used to be a bit more difficult when i first started watching KF flicks.

[niro]

I have to agree with drunken monk, from sounds of it he is same as me when it comes to comedy in martial arts films.
I loved Dean Shek's 'Rocking' character, it was brilliant, still remains one of my most favourite comedy scenes.
With Sammo movies, lot of people can find the comedy in his movies very distasteful but i find it funny, for example Pantyhose hero, it was heavily criticized as being homophobic but i found it hilarious. I dont see it being any different from films in the West where they pretend to be gay or make gay jokes.

Comedy in martial arts films is pretty common so i'm actually surprised by how many people here do not really like it

[Jstn]

"Bad comedy" can put a real damper on a good action movie, but as far as OS kung fu flicks, the worst killer for me is bad fight choreography; more specifically "un-crisp" fight choreograpy. Especially when good people are used and they look horrible in a fight.

[Grimmjow]

I have a love hate relationship with comedy in kung fu flicks, sometimes it works really well and sometimes it can ruin a movie, I love the Lucky Stars films and find them hillarious but the first time I watched them I didn't because I was expecting straight action from Sammo, Jackie and Biao. Once I knew what they were about second viewing was great.

Sammo always makes me laugh, I found Knockabout and Warriors Two really funny at times. Jackies comedy is normally good as well.

Some films it seems out of place like in Iron Monkey when a long scene involving Yu Rong Kwong impersonating a magistrate just goes on and on. The comedy in Wing Chun ruined that movie as well and especially in Drunken Monkey, didn't laugh once!

[The Silver Fox]

After giving it some more thought, I don't really have a problem with comedy in martial arts films as much as bad comedic elements that are aren't funny and drag on for way too long. That being said, humour is a very subjective thing .

Take The Prodigal Son, now that is a film that integrated serious/comedy very well. Of course,it doesn't hurt the the choreo and fighting skills were amazing all around. I have to admit though, even in this there was the scene where just before the opera troupe get their throats cut, there's a little comedic bit that seemed puzzling and out of place.

I guess it's just a cultural thing or possibly comedic elements are added to offset violent scenes or something.

[nectarsis]

After giving it some more thought, I don't really have a problem with comedy in martial arts films as much as bad comedic elements that are aren't funny and drag on for way too long.

Agree 100% I have no problem with MOST comedy I've seen in martial arts movies (even laughed out loud at many. Has it been overdone/done poorly yes, but as a whole I enjoy it more often than not.

[ekisha]

I prefer action & kung fu movies mixed with comedy. More wacky means "better film" in my book. Many refer Wong Jing as an idiot but i like his style. For example Last Blood. There is a scene where Eric Tsang claims he sells stuff which belongs to stars, including Leslie Cheung's bras! And while this being stupid (yes i like it) there is another scene in which poor family gets brutally murdered. These 2 notes are completely in different tones, but only HK directors can make such awesome shits.
Also i like the way he jokes about HK stars and directors in each his movies, including Jackie, Jet, Wong Kar Wai, John Woo, Alan Tam, almost everyone from HK. I could go on listing his insulting jokes and whom he had teased but i guess you are all aware of that. I hope i could describe what i mean with my poor english.
What would you expect from a guy who who can watch Lucky Star and Pom Pom series over and over just for the sake of comedy? :bigsmile:

[bruceleewannabe]

Comedy doesn't always spoil a good action movie for me. I enjoy movies that can have some humor in them. I like Stephen Chow's movies cause they are hilarious but they do have some pretty action filled moments in them. With stars like Jackie Chan and Sammo you have to expect comedy because that's their style. Jackie always said he was a huge fan of Charlie Chaplin and tried to incorporate some of his style into his films. Some comedy is to much but just a little bit doesn't ruin it for me.

[Morgoth Bauglir]

I end up liking any movie as long as there’s enough good fights. I’ve seen Master Killers countless times, and I think the movie is horrible. 3 of my absolute favorites, Sword Stained with Royal Blood 93, Shaolin vs Lama and Legend of a fighter, have around a 50/50 mix of comedy and drama. I tend to like deadly serious movies more than all out comedies, but I still love a great comedy. I can watch Goose Boxer, Swordsman with an Umbrella, Secret Rivals 3, and so many others over and over. And if it’s a really serious movie, it’s nice to have at least a tiny bit of comedy. Like the deaf guy and mute guy in Love and Sword, and the giant guy with a little sword in The Magic Blade. Throw in a bit of wacky stuff to see how one of the main characters deals with it, and it just enhances how badass that character is.

Of course, if you don’t have people that know what they are doing, or enough time and money to make the movie how it was intended, then it is more likely to fail. Or, just have Wong Jing be the director and that usually guarantees it will be bad.

[David Rees]

Physical comedy is fine but i find some of the humour just does not translate.
Thats my fault, i am not Chinese or Oriental so different cultures have different humour, simple as that.
I just find too much of it can spoil a great film.
Example: One of my favourite films of all time, Warriors Two has a fantastic end fight, but the bits with Dean Shek just take you away from the excitement and the flow of the fight with his silly antics.

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[remo]

Personally I love the Lucky Stars movies I've seen so far -- but then again I grew up on a steady diet of The Three Stooges. But I can see where this level of comedy in an action movie would turn some people off... then again these aren't really action movies, they're comedies with lots of action.

Laughter definitely has a place in action movies -- lighthearted moments give the audience time to catch their breath. Two hours of straight action sounds like a great idea, but it starts to lose its impact without something to break up the pace. Like the scene in Hard Boiled where Chow Yun-Fat's leg is on fire and the baby he's carrying takes a leak, dousing the flames. Or Bruce disguising himself as a mousy telephone repairman to scope out the bad guys.

Schwarzenegger built a career on action movies peppered with comedic one-liners, wouldn't have been the same films without them (nor as successful at the box office).

[princedeeder]

Comedy is fine, especially when done by Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung. I can say there are A LOT of kung fu movies from the 70's that are Fuqq'd p because of trying to imitate Jackie Chans style back then.

[Cesare]

I don't mind comedy in action films.
Actually, I've grown quite fond of HK slapstick humor. That heavy-handed intensity of it is rather endearing...:-)
What I probably like even better are those crazy genre shifts and twists in some HK films. Magnificent Butcher is a good example of that... (It is also one of the two major reasons why I rather dig Cheeky Chap.)
It's not like I prefer comedy films to serious action movies, but comedy definitely doesn't spoil an action film for me. I like some bawdy Canto slapstick every now and then - the more dissonant with the overall context, the better...:xd:

[bengs]

Yes this is a big point of criticism for me. Physical comedy, such as "Project A 2" when the killers are all trying to hide in the house, is 'unintentionally' funny, and I like that, but juvenile or toilet humour that is used to fill a film or break up the mood of a film, usually just ruins it for me.

[sifu iron perm]

I find the comedy element used in many d&b movies as lame and at times cringeworthy, thats the furthest i could go on disliking comedy in a god action flick.
The Lucky stars (winners, my lucky and twinkle) are my favs, just slapstick and also works as a family oritented movies.

[AlbertV]

Depends on if the comedy fits...I love the Lucky Stars movies and I like when Simon Yuen would mock the likes of Jackie Chan in Drunken Master and Billy Chong in Crystal Fist. Most of the time, the comedy does fit well and I'm not at all bothered by it.

[Tosh]

I've grown fond of the comedy over the years, it only irks me when it gets dragged out for to long.

The pee jokes takes some getting use to, I remember in one of the newer Godzilla movies the guy is taking a whiz when Godzilla comes over the mountain and pisses all over the place, I laughed my ass off.