This is a first rate kung fu classic combining great martial arts and spooky chills. It also features some of the genre’s top talent. Yuen Biao in his second leading role performs well with veteran Kwan Tak-hing, who reprises his role as Wong Fei Hung. The two previously co-starred in Sammo Hung’s masterpiece THE MAGNIFICENT BUTCHER. The story and action are entertaining and creative thanks to director and choreographer Yuen Wo-ping.
This film appears to have been loosely inspired by the likes of American slashers of the era like HALLOWEEN by creating a maniac killer with expert kung fu skills. Of course, not being satisfied with a simple slasher plot, the film is also about the rivalry between two kung fu schools and a young apprentice who must master his fear. While these thick plots are a staple of Hong Kong film, they rarely come together as nicely as seen in this film.
Most of the films Yuen Wo-ping has personally directed share symmetry of humor, drama and action that have proven successful, if sometimes requiring acquired tastes for their zaniness. In this case, the added element of fear succeeds well with a costume effect straight from Chinese Opera that puts all the hockey-masked villains to shame.
How can you go wrong with a film that showcases some truly entertaining scenes featuring flame-throwing lion dancers, Wong Fei-hung fighting a hired killer called the Demon Tailor and Yuen Biao drying laundry with his toes? While Yuen Wo-ping is no stickler for authentic kung fu, he is constantly experimenting as you can see even in this early film. For example, Eagle’s Claw kung fu is adapted to drying laundry and manages to be Yuen Biao’s saving grace.
Kwan Tak-hing, who appears appropriately commanding in his role as Fei-hung is given every opportunity to turn ordinary tasks into kung fu exhibitions while remaining cool as a cucumber.
You could argue that the ending was too abrupt and the encounters between the Masked Killer (Yuen Shun-yee) and Mousey (Yuen Biao) too convenient but those are small complaints. This is definitely kung fu camp at its best and worth investing in.
by Mark PollardRelated Topics:
Golden Harvest • Kwan Tak-hing • Videos • Wong Fei-hung • Yuen Biao • Yuen Woo-ping
