Cat Versus Rat

Blood Sword · 11-16-2009, 03:20 PM

Movie which could have been masterpiece but not quite made it.From beginning 30 mins are best when 2 student teach each others skills,some great choreography and funny moments..

45 mins after that when Emperor arrives,it`s still good.There are few really good scenes,part where Fu Sheng tries to steal Jade is hilarious

...

Was expecting big things when Cat and Rat go after thieves but that is where disappointment came.There is few good moments but LKL went too far in slapstick and corny jokes

in few parts it`s almost pain to watch...

Overall still recommendable and Fu Sheng displays his skill with sword more than one time

How do you guys rate this?

KUNG FU BOB · 11-16-2009, 03:50 PM

Back in the days when I was still collecting VHS and searching for anything directed by Lau Sifu, this was a really rare movie. It took forever to find, and when I finally did, my expectations had been built up tremendously by watching all of his other movies. I was sorely disappointed that it was a silly comedy and not a kung fu extravaganza. I had been led to believe it was more along the lines of the husband and wife from HEROES OF THE EAST competing via martial arts, except two guys. So I figured it would have some humor, but geez! I like the cast a lot, and some of it was very funny, but despite some good action, it was just not what I had hoped it would be.

I actually got the poster for it recently (which I like a lot), and that made me think- it's time to give this one another shot. After my second viewing I'll post my thoughts on it here.

peringaten · 11-16-2009, 08:03 PM

The choreo is awesome, Lau dai sigung (crazy, I gotta start calling him that now), can't help but teach, even when he's promoting silliness - the showcase of nine rings sword and spear usage from his brother is top notch, up there with anything from Heroes of the East or otherwise. That stunt of flipping off the roof is nuts. Yeah, it gets polarizingly ridiculous, but the choreo is incredible.

MarsHarmony · 11-23-2009, 05:36 AM

"Cat vs. Rat" is one of my favorite action comedies from Liu Chia Liang, and Fu Sheng.
I had no idea of what to expect, when I first found it two or three years ago on dvd, I even thought Fu Sing was supposed to be the cat!
It is presented with a no apologies attitude about how much fun this movie is, as a broad, almost cartoon style, very close to 'operatic' comedy. The characters and situations are all larger than life, and that supports the daffy style of play.
Adam Cheng Siu Chow plays his part perfectly straight, he is the balancing pole, the center anchor that all the nonsense revolves around, and he does a great job with what could be a dull role for the wrong actor, and he is super in the action scenes. Lydia Shum is brilliant as the 'Rat's' mother who spurs him on in their quest to be the premier family on the block. Kara Hui Ying Hung is so fun as her brothers, (Adam Chengs), one woman cheer leading squad and kick ass backup support. Hsiao Ho is a water rat, down to his drenched hair and whiskers. And I love Gordon Liu Chia Hui is so great, so funny as the Emperor.
Fu Sheng is hysterically funny at times. He manages to pull off a character, who is not a true good guy, nor is he really truly bad either, he is just a 'rat' looking out for his own, and yet is still the most likable character, a rogue you can't help but love. And I will just say in a nut shell that his martial art skill is very well highlighted throughout the film, especially in the scene with the wonderful Lau Kar Wing. They are awesome!
And for pete's sake, if NOTHING else, you get to see Johhny Wang Lung Wei have fun! That is worth the price of admission right there.
This is a brilliant and fun action comedy. It gives you a huge amount of talent and play, and with a sweet and good nature, and I have watched it at least five or six times. I love "Cat vs. Rat".

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Fu Sheng and Adam Cheng

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Johnny Wang Lung Wei, King Lee King-Chue, Fu Sheng, Chang Chan Peng, and Hsiao Ho

MarsHarmony · 11-23-2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUNG FU BOB

I actually got the poster for it recently (which I like a lot), and that made me think- it's time to give this one another shot. After my second viewing I'll post my thoughts on it here.

Oh, Bob! yes you should!

KUNG FU BOB · 11-23-2009, 05:54 PM

Okay, sounds like I must!

AbeRudder · 11-25-2009, 07:56 AM

First half is far better than the second half, i wish Lau would of stuck with the rivalry between the two clans. Choreography is awesome as usual.

KUNG FU BOB · 11-26-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbeRudder

First half is far better than the second half, i wish Lau would of stuck with the rivalry between the two clans. Choreography is awesome as usual.

Okay, I rewatched it, and I have to agree with AbeRudder.

I was pleasantly surprised by the first half, and couldn't believe I'd had such a bad response to it during my initial viewing. Funny stuff, with some cool weapons choreography! I loved the battle between Fu Sheng and Lau Kar Wing- nice action. And I liked the intro of the Emperor, and the jade stealing too. But once Rat and Cat went to the island to retreive the jade it became a tedious chore to sit through. It seemed sloppy, pointless, and like big waste of time. The whole bit where the Rat gang was lowering from the ceiling to attack just seemed to go on forever!

When it was over I put on the "wine tasting" scene from DIRTY HO to recover.

Still, overall, I'm glad I watched it again. So thanks MarsHarmony.

GoldenPigsy · 11-28-2009, 04:57 PM

I really ended up liking this one when I re-watched it. The first time I was blown away by the first half and left cold by the second. After watching it again, the inventiveness and creativity behind the second half started to shine through. It doesn't always really work, to be honest. Wang Lung Wei's jumping through the walls that are clearly plastic/canvas doesn't even have a chance to look good. Nonetheless, even the second half has some great moments.

And it's also a lot of fun to compare this one to King Cat, a late sixties version of the same story directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung. It's incredible how different HK and Shaw Brothers films had become in barely more than a decade. From wuxia to kung fu; from melodrama to comedy; from films with action to films built around action scenes.

Iron Boat · 12-01-2009, 05:37 AM

LKL films are like that, great first halves, wierd second half, slapstick almost out of place comedy, and freeze frame endings. For a director so serious about Kung Fu his films are wierd to me.

11-16-2009, 03:20 PM	#1
Blood Sword Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 530	Cat Versus Rat Movie which could have been masterpiece but not quite made it.From beginning 30 mins are best when 2 student teach each others skills,some great choreography and funny moments.. 45 mins after that when Emperor arrives,it`s still good.There are few really good scenes,part where Fu Sheng tries to steal Jade is hilarious... Was expecting big things when Cat and Rat go after thieves but that is where disappointment came.There is few good moments but LKL went too far in slapstick and corny jokes in few parts it`s almost pain to watch... Overall still recommendable and Fu Sheng displays his skill with sword more than one time How do you guys rate this?

11-23-2009, 05:36 AM	#4
MarsHarmony Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 442	A Treasure! "Cat vs. Rat" is one of my favorite action comedies from Liu Chia Liang, and Fu Sheng. I had no idea of what to expect, when I first found it two or three years ago on dvd, I even thought Fu Sing was supposed to be the cat! It is presented with a no apologies attitude about how much fun this movie is, as a broad, almost cartoon style, very close to 'operatic' comedy. The characters and situations are all larger than life, and that supports the daffy style of play. Adam Cheng Siu Chow plays his part perfectly straight, he is the balancing pole, the center anchor that all the nonsense revolves around, and he does a great job with what could be a dull role for the wrong actor, and he is super in the action scenes. Lydia Shum is brilliant as the 'Rat's' mother who spurs him on in their quest to be the premier family on the block. Kara Hui Ying Hung is so fun as her brothers, (Adam Chengs), one woman cheer leading squad and kick ass backup support. Hsiao Ho is a water rat, down to his drenched hair and whiskers. And I love Gordon Liu Chia Hui is so great, so funny as the Emperor. Fu Sheng is hysterically funny at times. He manages to pull off a character, who is not a true good guy, nor is he really truly bad either, he is just a 'rat' looking out for his own, and yet is still the most likable character, a rogue you can't help but love. And I will just say in a nut shell that his martial art skill is very well highlighted throughout the film, especially in the scene with the wonderful Lau Kar Wing. They are awesome! And for pete's sake, if NOTHING else, you get to see Johhny Wang Lung Wei have fun! That is worth the price of admission right there. This is a brilliant and fun action comedy. It gives you a huge amount of talent and play, and with a sweet and good nature, and I have watched it at least five or six times. I love "Cat vs. Rat". Fu Sheng and Adam Cheng Johnny Wang Lung Wei, King Lee King-Chue, Fu Sheng, Chang Chan Peng, and Hsiao Ho __________________ You don't have to be a monk as long as Buddha is in your heart. New Shaolin Boxers Last edited by MarsHarmony; 11-23-2009 at 06:04 AM.

11-28-2009, 04:57 PM	#9
GoldenPigsy Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 39	I really ended up liking this one when I re-watched it. The first time I was blown away by the first half and left cold by the second. After watching it again, the inventiveness and creativity behind the second half started to shine through. It doesn't always really work, to be honest. Wang Lung Wei's jumping through the walls that are clearly plastic/canvas doesn't even have a chance to look good. Nonetheless, even the second half has some great moments. And it's also a lot of fun to compare this one to King Cat, a late sixties version of the same story directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung. It's incredible how different HK and Shaw Brothers films had become in barely more than a decade. From wuxia to kung fu; from melodrama to comedy; from films with action to films built around action scenes. __________________ http://goldenpigsy.blogspot.com

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11-16-2009, 03:50 PM	#2
KUNG FU BOB Master Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Just outside of Philly, PA Posts: 3,625	Back in the days when I was still collecting VHS and searching for anything directed by Lau Sifu, this was a really rare movie. It took forever to find, and when I finally did, my expectations had been built up tremendously by watching all of his other movies. I was sorely disappointed that it was a silly comedy and not a kung fu extravaganza. I had been led to believe it was more along the lines of the husband and wife from HEROES OF THE EAST competing via martial arts, except two guys. So I figured it would have some humor, but geez! I like the cast a lot, and some of it was very funny, but despite some good action, it was just not what I had hoped it would be. I actually got the poster for it recently (which I like a lot), and that made me think- it's time to give this one another shot. After my second viewing I'll post my thoughts on it here.

11-16-2009, 08:03 PM	#3
peringaten Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 708	The choreo is awesome, Lau dai sigung (crazy, I gotta start calling him that now), can't help but teach, even when he's promoting silliness - the showcase of nine rings sword and spear usage from his brother is top notch, up there with anything from Heroes of the East or otherwise. That stunt of flipping off the roof is nuts. Yeah, it gets polarizingly ridiculous, but the choreo is incredible.

11-23-2009, 05:54 PM	#6
KUNG FU BOB Master Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Just outside of Philly, PA Posts: 3,625	Okay, sounds like I must!

11-25-2009, 07:56 AM	#7
AbeRudder Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 302	First half is far better than the second half, i wish Lau would of stuck with the rivalry between the two clans. Choreography is awesome as usual.

12-01-2009, 05:37 AM	#10
Iron Boat Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 541	LKL films are like that, great first halves, wierd second half, slapstick almost out of place comedy, and freeze frame endings. For a director so serious about Kung Fu his films are wierd to me.