REVIEW: Shaolin vs. Lama (1983)

A young man (Alexander Lo) already familiar with multiple kung fu styles desperately seeks to master the best, Shaolin kung fu, and attempts to struggles to convince a worldly senior monk to take him on. But only after an attempt to save a young woman makes him the enemy of a powerful Shaolin traitor does he get his wish.

Director Lee Tso-nam is generally regarded as one of the better independent classic kung fu moviemakers alongside Joseph Kuo and Robert Tai. Although not perfect, many of his films such as The Hot, The Cool and the Vicious (1976) and Challenge of Death (1977) are a cut above the generic morass of cheap films churned out simply to meet international demand. But just like the masters of the genre at the major studios, Tso-nam was progressively honing his craft as witnessed by the likes of Phantom Kung Fu (1979). And without a doubt, Shaolin vs. Lama, which came to be his last traditional kung fu movie was not only his crowning achievement, but a classic to rival any within the genre for kung fu excellence.

Following Chang Cheh’s trend-setting ways, Lau Kar-leung and Joseph Kuo made tales of Shaolin temple one of the leading themes of kung fu movies in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Shaolin vs. Lama was Tso-nam’s fist and last attempt, but it’s a doozy. Alexander Lo Rei delivers a career-best performance as Sung Yee-tung, an earnest practitioner of kung fu who has become proficient at many styles, yet wishes to learn more and challenges various kung fu masters in hopes of finding one who can best him and be considered qualified to instruct him further. He appears to be out of luck until he meets a street-wise young Shaolin pupil (William Yen) who regularly sneaks away from the local temple to bring wine and meat to a worldly senior monk (Sun Jung-chi). This monk turns out to be the qualified master Yee-tung has been looking for, but he refuses to take anyone on as a student since his last pupil, Fan-lin (Chen Shan), became a traitor to the temple and stole a valuable kung fu manuscript. With the help of his friend, Yee-tung persists in trying to change his mind. But it’s ultimately the return of Fan-lin, now a clan leader, and his vicious efforts to wipe out the local clans that changes the old monk’s mind. After saving the daughter of a clan leader and becoming Fan-lin’s enemy, Yee-tung converts to Buddhism and begins learning Shaolin kung fu in earnest, particularly after his master is killed by Fan-lin and reveals himself to be a Tibetan lama, “the traditional enemy of Shaolin” (only in the movies kids). When the abbot of Shaolin is forced to fight Fan-lin for the sake of the temple, Yee-tung, who has just mastered the advanced Shaolin Finger technique, rushes to his aid.

There is nothing so satisfying as watching a kung fu movie that not only meets, but greatly exceeds expectations in the action department. On the surface, Shaolin vs. Lama looks like any low budget kung fu movie with gaudy costumes, screwball comedy, and exaggerated characters. Even the lead, Alexander Lo Rei is better known for his roles in cheesy ninja exploitation like Ninja: The Final Duel (1986). While there are still some cheesy elements to this film such as the awful lama costumes and the hideous smelly foot in mouth scene, Shaolin vs. Lama ends up being one of Lo Rei’s most respectable efforts along the lines of Incredible Kung Fu Mission where serious kung fu choreography ultimately trumps everything else.

Viewers shouldn’t put much stock in Shaolin vs. Lama as a fighting theme. Tibetan lamas do have their own martial arts heritage just as Shaolin monks do, but their rivalry and varying styles are just an angle for the filmmakers to work and not taken seriously. But the kung fu action on display is still tops. The styles appear to be predominately Southern Shaolin with the one female character performing some distinctive wushu swordplay. Add to that dynamic acrobatics, wirework, and a host of well-used camera tricks like reverse-shooting and undercranking to enhance characters’ abilities. The cast and stuntmen all deliver excellent performances. Lo Rei has the picture-perfect build and looks for a kung fu hero and competent moves to match. William Yen is a consummate opera-trained acrobat who has teamed up with Lo Rei numerous times and puts his skills to good use. Chen Shan, a skilled tae kwon do practitioner, makes a terrific villain thanks to his incredible flexibility and dynamic screen fighting. Sun Jung-chi is a very colorful screen fighter, as always, who is able to merge comedy with some excellent moves. His sparring with Lo Rei while munching on chicken is a highlight. The choreography by Peng Kong is superb for the most part, offering a perfect blend of genuine athleticism and movie magic. The final match features some awesome moves, but overall it isn’t quite as strong as it should have been. The setting is another one of those generic valleys where kung fu fighters always invariably end up meeting and Tso-nam relies a little too much on trickery to sell it, particularly the endless spewing of water from mouths. But this is inconsequential considering the overall quality of the action.

Shaolin vs. Lama is a spectacular kung fu classic with a steady stream of martial arts mastery that should be good enough to satisfy even the most demanding old school fanatic. As both Lee Tso-nam and Lo Rei’s finest film, it is definitely required viewing.

REVIEW: Shaolin vs. Lama (1983), 8.5 out of 10 based on 22 ratings

by Mark Pollard

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Genre: Kung Fu  •  Genre: Shapes  •  Shaolin vs. Lama (1983)