Lin Chung (Tony Leung), a duty-bound military officer during Qing Dynasty befriends a fierce warrior monk named Ru Chi-shen (Elvis Tsui) who shares his love of martial arts. Chung is double-crossed by his rival and wrongly accused of plotting an assassination of the local governor. Saved by his friend Chi-sen, Chung is reluctant to turn against the government that spurned him until he learns of his wife’s death at the hands of his rival. The dismissed military commander spurns the aid of the deadly spade-wielding monk to face his enemies alone. Chi-shen the monk must choose between saving face and helping his friend.
This movie is based on a Shaw Brothers film called PURSUIT, made in 1972. This in turn was based upon a classic Chinese tale. The story deals with the popular theme of the rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, run by the Manchus who were unpopular with the dominate Han populace at the time. The film captures the frustration and confusion that officials might have felt upon being told to turn on their fellow countrymen.
1993 was a big year for kung fu films in Hong Kong and this one rates below some of the top picks such as IRON MONKEY and FONG SAI YUK. All these films share fanciful wirework and gravity-defying leaps but ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS doesn’t pull it off with the same style. The story is engaging but uneven as too much of the film is spent building up to the final showdown which seems rushed.
Elvis Tsui stands out with one of the best roles I’ve seen yet in a modern kung fu film. He plays it loud, intense, outspoken, and simply oozes charisma onscreen. The rest of the characters seem wooden by comparison.
ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS doesn’t have the best choreography or originality of story. What remains though is a fun, energetic film about loyalty and friendship that just manages to reach its nose above the silt of mediocrity.
by Mark PollardRelated Topics:
All Men Are Brothers (1993) • Wuxia
