Well Go USA releases its second run of Shaw Brothers titles. Hong Kong distrib Joy Sales issues DVD versions of Golden Harvest kung fu classics THE CHALLENGER and THE SKYHAWK. Also, two new B-grade martial arts flicks premiere on DVD in the U.S.
U.S. Releases
JOURNEY OF THE DOOMED (DVD – Well Go USA) – SEVEN SWORDS action director Stephen Tung Wei stars as a knight that finds himself protecting the life of a beautiful young lady being stalked by a bunch of assassins headed by kung fu actress Kara Hui (My YOUNG AUNTIE). Released in 1985, this average romantic swordplay flick is one of Shaw Brothers’ lesser wuxia efforts. It tries to inject the genre with new energy with fresh screen talent, steamier romance and yes, explosions, but fails to keep up with superior ’80s efforts such as THE SWORD and DUEL TO THE DEATH.
THE HEROIC ONES (DVD – Well Go USA) – A rousing historical action epic from director Chang Cheh stars David Chiang and Ti Lung as the leading sons of a Mongol warlord forced to contend with rival factions. Drawing on wuxia and kung fu elements, Chang creates a brilliantly artful and bloody film that also reveals the impressive production muscle of Shaw Brothers while the studio was in its prime. This one is highly recommended.
SCORPION (DVD – Anchor Bay – trailer) – This is the latest in a string of western-made action films that exploit the current popularity of MMA fighting and it follows in the tradition of PIT FIGHTER and Jet Li’s UNLEASHED. This one comes from France and features the direction of Julien Seri (YAMAKAZI) and the action direction of Alain Figlarz (BABYLON A.D.). Like most MMA-related films, this one has not been critically well received so far suggesting that with the exception of David Mamet, filmmakers have not been able to find a way to successfully translate UFC-style fighting to feature film in a compelling way.
TAI CHI WARRIORS (DVD – Anthem Pictures – trailer) – Here’s an odd 2005 production. It’s a modern-day martial arts movie with a mix of unknown Asian and Caucasian actors, with the very notable exception of Shaw Brothers screen legend David Chiang who gets top billing as “John Chiang.” I don’t know if that’s the English name he’s going by these days but that’s how he’s billed on this movie at least. Chiang was once part of the illustrious “Iron Triangle,” a martial arts movie power trio consisting of Chiang, fellow actor Ti Lung and director Chang Cheh who dominated the Hong Kong box office with a series of classic martial arts-related flicks from 1969 through 1976.
The premise is actually interesting on paper. Fed up with their lives in L.A., a pair of longtime friends travels to China in hopes of a life changing experience. After enrolling in a school for martial arts, they find that not only will their physical prowess be tested, but also their friendship. The marketing states that “eye-popping choreography and special effects … will make you want to go out and join your local Dojo.” A quick look at the trailer suggests the opposite to me, especially given the ridiculous “bowling-fu” scenes. Chiang has seen better days in recent years by remaining a fixture on Chinese-language television where he has appeared in many a martial arts series.
Other new U.S. genre releases of note include SPEED RACER on Blu-ray and DVD and a reissue of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on Blu-ray.
Hong Kong Releases
THE CHALLENGER (DVD – Joy Sales) – Eric Tsang, best known today for supporting roles in mainstream Hong Kong movies like the INFERNAL AFFAIRS trilogy and KUNG FU DUNK has also been known to direct and this 1979 old school kung fu movie from producer Lo Wei that stars David Chiang and Norman Chu was his first attempt. The film concerns two fighters caught up in high-stakes double crosses that are at the heart of a series of martial challenges. Genre veterans Philip Ko and Lily Li co-star.
THE SKYHAWK (DVD – Joy Sales) – Kwan Tak-hing, legendary star of the long-running WONG FEI HUNG kung fu film series (1949-1970) makes the first of several encore reprisals of the role for Golden Harvest in this classic 1974 production. Features top genre stars of the day including Carter Wong, superkicker Whang Ing-sik and Sammo Hung, who also choreographs the action.
Last Week
There were several major home video releases last week. In the U.S., Lionsgate released THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM on DVD and Blu-ray. This wuxia fantasy film is notable for being the first screen pairing of modern martial arts movie icons Jet Li and Jackie Chan. It’s also the first big-budget martial arts movie collaboration between China and Hollywood since CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON in 2000. The film has its fair share of critics but frankly, they’re mostly wrong. It’s a great film, beautifully shot by Peter Pau and with the true heart of a Chinese martial arts movie despite its Western approach to the genre. With Yuen Woo-ping’s choreography, it makes the most of a killer match up between Jackie and Jet.
The other major title is RED CLIFF (trailer), John Woo’s triumphant return to Chinese filmmaking that arrived on DVD and Blu-ray in Hong Kong courtesy of Silver Kent. This is the first of two parts in Woo’s epic telling of the historical Battle of Red Cliffs, a 3rd century event that is very well known to Chinese people. Anyone interested in seeing both parts in their entirety are encouraged to buy the import versions. The second will become available shortly after its theatrical debut at the end of the year. It has already been announced that both parts will be condensed into a single film for non-Asian markets.
Also out last week, Image Entertainment’s release of the Shaw Brothers classic HOUSE OF TRAPS (trailer), a Venons-era kung fu favorite from director Chang Cheh. Other notables include Joy Sales’ DVD release of David Chiang’s period screwball comedy THE LEGEND OF THE OWL (trailer) and Wu Ma’s fantasy actioner PICTURE OF A NYMPH (trailer) starring Joey Wong and Yuen Biao. Elsewhere saw Blu-ray editions of both volumes of KILL BILL, and DVD re-releases of MY WIFE IS A GANGSTER and wuxia flick SWORD IN THE MOON from Korean distrib Bear Entertainment.
Next Week:
• BLOODRAYNE 2: DELIVERANCE (DVD – Metrodome)
• CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER / FEARLESS / CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (DVD – UCA)
• DORORO (DVD – Universal)
• THE KARATE KID / THE KARATE KID 2 / THE KARATE KID 3 (DVD – UCA)
• THE LEGEND OF RED DRAGON (DVD – Westlake)
• ONECHAMBARA: THE MOVIE (DVD – Geneon)
• SEOUL RAIDERS (DVD – Hart Sharp)
• THE TRANSPORTER [Special Delivery Edition] (DVD – 20th Century Fox)
• YO-YO GIRL COP (DVD – 4Digital Asia)
