A top fighter (John Liu) is hired to train and lead five misfits on a suicidal mission to rescue a revolutionary held in a well guarded fortress run by a deadly white-haired official (Robert Tai).
Ever wondered what The Dirty Dozen would have been like if they all knew kung fu? Incredible Kung Fu Mission comes pretty darn close by giving us five hard luck fighters who get a swift kick in the pants from the equally incredible kicker John Liu.
It may not involve a wild grab for gold during a world war, but their mission is just as deadly. A powerful fighter named Cheh Tin Kang (John Liu) is hired by Lo Tung (Wong Chi Sang) to break into a well guarded fortress to release a revolutionary held captive there. Its a near impossible mission and the only help Cheh gets is five sorry fighters who spend more time beating each other than anything else. This motley band of “heroes” includes a coffin maker who’s labeled a coward and bad luck, pretty boy Chow Ta Chi who’s a male gigolo by profession, a scruffy-looking juggler, a quiet carpenter, and a bald-headed professional fighter who can’t seem to win a fight. Cheh assumes the role of sergeant and makes it his goal to whip these losers into shape or else. A steady regimen of running with weighted jackets, crawling under pointed sticks, wailing on wooden dummies, and the constant threat of Cheh’s boot in their ass eventually provides results and they head to the local brothel for a little R&R. But this turns into an educational lesson when they end up on the losing end of a brawl instigated by a wealthy patron played by Ngai Ping Ngo (Fist of Fury).
After more training, the crew prove their metal in another brothel brawl and the mission finally begins. Unfortunately, Lu Ping (Robert Tai), the white-haired warlord who holds the revolutionary captive has been notified of Cheh’s plan and he sends out men to ambush the fighters at various points on their journey. They’re forced to assume the identity of wandering acrobats, but this fails to dupe a local commander and his army of spear-wielding lackeys. One by one, the party is slowly cut down as they assault the fortress. They manage to nab the revolutionary and escape before Lu Ping and his flesh-impaling fingers catch up with them. And after this confrontation a plot twist rears it’s traitorous head, forcing Cheh to fight for his own life.
This is one “incredible” kung fu film that is clearly inspired by Western action films of the ’70′s. Its set up much like The Dirty Dozen and it even has the feel of a ’70′s era war movie with John Liu berating his men and having them march and go through nasty obstacle courses. Initially they have no respect for him or themselves it seems, but Liu’s kicking skills and tenacity change all that. For genre comparisons, this film is much like Blooded Treasury Fight (1979) starring another fabulous kicker named Dorian Tan. Both films include a dangerous mission with ambushes and double-crosses. Its all high adventure and knockout combat Eastern style from start to finish.
The film is helped alone greatly by the talents of several fine performers and filmmakers. Director Cheung San Yee is a longtime collaborator with Taiwan’s greatest director, Lee Tso Nam, having written some of the best independent films such as Eagle’s Claw (1977) and Boxer’s Adventure (1979). He deftly takes the helm of this picturesque film that actually looks more authentic and expensive than most Shaw Brothers films from the same era thanks to lots of interesting location shoots. The uiltra-versatile Robert Tai is infamous for his latter ninja flicks with co-star Alexander Lo and low budget international efforts with one time collaborator, Godfrey Ho. He provides solid choreography on this film and plays the flashy villain with campy gusto. He wears this Cheng Cheh style cape and has this odd little finishing move where he rams his fingers into the chest of unsuspecting adversaries. A couple of the fights midway through may lack the creativity seen in Sammo Hung’s work from this period, but Liu’s legwork will keep you glued to the screen.
John Liu is absolutely outstanding in this film. I’ve never seen his unique kicking skills highlighted better and he’s in the perfect role as a tough-as-nails fighter. Maybe its bit strange to comment on this, but he has one of the best hair styles of any kung fu celebrity. Its this wild growth of an Asian mullet that spikes out at either side. Add to that his chiseled and weathered facial features and he’s easily one of the baddest-looking kung fu stars around.
I can sum up this review in two words. Own it! This is the Guinness of kung fu films, thick and rich with frothy martial arts goodness. Its also a great film for fledgling kung fu fans to wet their appetite with.
by Mark PollardRelated Topics:
Genre: Kung Fu
