This light-hearted kung fu comedy proves to be one of Angela Mao’s best showcase films as she dominates the screen in nearly non-stop fights throughout.
Jackie Chan, who directed the action, has an obvious influence on the tone. Although the film contains the prerequisite revenge plot, DANCE OF DEATH rarely takes itself seriously and features numerous puns and spoofs from references to THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN with Mao sporting a basket hat to character names such as “No. 1 Roc” of The Hundred Bird clan. There is even a Blake PINK PANTHER reference as a kung fu style with accompanying Henry Mancini music. Being one of her few funny roles, Mao really hams it up, combining an intense physical performance with a charmingly spunky persona.
While there is plenty of action, there is little in the way of plot even by genre standards. Fei Fei (Mao) talks two feuding kung fu masters into training her and breezes through the training sequences. From that point on, the trio encounters key members of The Hundred Birds clan and Fei Fei defeats each one in turn on her way to fighting the school’s leader. All the while, she deceives her two teachers into thinking that her fights are solely for the purpose of determining which of their stances are better.
Personally, I was frustrated by the fact that Mao also deceives everyone into thinking she is a man throughout the entire film. While it’s common practice in kung fu movies for a woman to dress as a man and not be recognized, I kept expecting her to be discovered at the last moment which would have been a fun addition.
Fans of female butt-kickers, Jackie Chan-like screwball comedy and classic kung fu conventions will surely enjoy this film. Otherwise, a weak story and a large amount of decent but not extraordinary kung fu might bore more casual viewers.
by Mark PollardRelated Topics:
Genre: Kung Fu
