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Kung Fu Action Masters

Kung Fu Action Masters

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful Fantasy, Get This Version!!!!!
Review: .. let me just say that this is one of the very few hk fantasy films that I own, and yet its one of my favorite movies. The story is basically about 2 swords that make the users superpowerful, and there are several kung fu schools looking and fighting for it. Jet represents one of these schools and througout the film, he masters several martial art techniques at an interestingly fast pace. He needs to protect his great grandfather, who happens to know where the swords are, from the corrupt schools. Warning, this is no Fist of Legend, but the martial arts are quite decent in my opinion. Yes, there is flying and superhuman powers in this film, but it actually makes it fun, not like dumb movies like the Storm Riders (this movie is too much). Plus, the film is extremely hilarious, especially the scene where Jet gets stuck in a cave. There are also 2 extremely beautiful women in this film that just made me go gaga. Watch it and find out what I mean. Apparently this was meant to be a two part movie, so just a warning this movie will not have an ending, this is only the first part. From what I've heard the second part of this story was filmed, but it never made it to the developing studio to be released, which really [is bad] because this film just leaves you hanging. However, I'd totally recommend a buy tho, but like I said get the original Kung Fu Colt Master. I got the HK version which is presented in 5.1 dolby, and the picture is pretty clear as well. I can't say much for the World Video US release version, except that the cover looks really [bad]. However, I've heard the transfer is pretty good and it has an english dub as well. But original Chinese w/ subs is the way to go for me. So go check this one out, and if you like it, try Swordsman II(w/Jet also)...check out my other reviews too, mostly HK flicks. Hope this was helpful.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Kung fu Fantasy
Review: First of all this movie is fantasy based so forget reality. Once you can handle that then prepare for lots of action set in olden days China. It is surprisingly very funny too. The only challenge is that I got the English subtitle version which meant I had to struggle to keep up with Jet Li's lightening speed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Kung Fu Film
Review: I loved this film. It features some high fantasy, complete with fireballs, wind attacks, and flying Shaolin Monks. While I like "realistic" Kung Fu like Jet Li's "Kiss of the Dragon", films like these offer a great escape. If you like this film, it was based on a book by Jin Yong who writes Martial Arts fantasy. The only English translated book I could find was "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain" right here on Amazon.com.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: 14 Hour Martial Arts Epic (condensed into 95 minutes or so)
Review: I originally saw this movie at the Towne Theatre in San Jose, CA, where it was released in US theatres under the same title. I do not own the DVD and will not comment on quality or sound.

I found this movie on video at the World Video Store in Sunnyvale, CA, where the clerk told me it was based on a novel that was the Chinese equivilent of 'War & Peace'. It revolves around a pair of swords. This movie mainly refers to one of them, called the 'Yee Tin' sword. When I asked the clerk what the Chinese title of this movie was, he said in broken English "Yee Tin Slays Dragon"(?)

As for the movie review, sheesh.. where to begin. We'll start with Jet Li's character as a child. His parents are attacked by some enemies known as the 'Two Jinxes'. One of them hits the child, making him ill for life. Then a confusing sequence where his dad dies, and his mother commits suicide while the leaders of 20 clans (everything from Wutang to Shaolin) bicker and argue over 'who killed who' and 'saving face' and all those other CHK vengeance cliche's. Jet Li survives with the help of an old Taoist Tai Chi master played by Sammo Hung. The other students, feeling envious of him because of their master's special treatment, take advantage of Sammo's abscence by beating him up and banishing him.

Yes, the plot is very confusing. There are what seems like hundreds of armies, and all of them arguing over things that happened in the past. But since when has plot played a major role in a Honk Kong martial arts movie? If you're a fan of CHK fung fu fantasy movies, here is the mother of them all (with the exception of maybe 'Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain').

While being chased out of his home, Jet Li is joined by a cute female thief who is looking for the Yee Tin Sword to break her silver shackles. Deep in the valley they bump into an old man chained to a floating boulder who is tricked by Jet Li into teaching him the 'Solar Stance'. This cures the jinx he's had since childhood, and at the same time gives him superhuman martial arts skills. Whereupon he flies into a battle where 10 different armies are trying to kill each other. After mowing down 50 people in a row, he flies above the battle and even fires energy bolts from his fists at the soldiers below. Then he gets trapped in a cave where he reads some graffiti and learns the 'Magic Stance'. Now that he's a God, it's time for some payback. And all of this in the first 15 minutes of the movie!!!

Just kidding, but you'll understand why I poke fun after you've experienced the dizzy pace of this film for yourself.

Overkill? Definitely. As this movie was originally planned to be filmed in two parts, the ending leaves you dangling. The sequel was never made. The rest is history. Just don't try to understand the plot and you probably won't be disappointed with this visual rollercoaster. I generously give it 4 stars because of the over the top battles and the fantasy elements. Only in Hong Kong cinema is style over substance synonymous with raw fun.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Origins of the movie
Review: Just a little history on the movie story line. The movie is based on a book. The book was also done as a T.V. series way before the movie. I recall them being about 26 episodes (Thats 26 tapes!) of about 2 hours each. (Or 1 hour... I was a long time ago ) I abosultly loved it!

Anyways, that also explains the dizzy pace of the movie, because it crams about a 3rd of the series into one movie. It also explains the ending because it's not over yet.

I wish Jet li will make a sequal for this to complete the story line! It could be a trilogy!

Anyways, let me spoil your future for you a little.

The story is about two swords which are unbreakable. So the owners who use it becomes very strong. (Like the Green Destiny in Crouching Tiger. BTW, the clan that Jet Li originally belonged to with Sammo is the same Wu Dan clan as in crouching tiger)

Every one wants the sword. The story evolved into Jet Li mastering all the highest techniques of each martial arts school. He always ends up stuck somewhere with a master or a place with the secrets written down.

He falls in love (out of like 5 or 6 to choose from) and drives the mongols out of china. the end.

A little history note here (I am no expert, but). Wu Dan clan is very popular because they were the clan which gathered all the martial arts schools and groups and drove out the mongols out of china. Just like the movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Origins of the movie
Review: Just a little history on the movie story line. The movie is based on a book. The book was also done as a T.V. series way before the movie. I recall them being about 26 episodes (Thats 26 tapes!) of about 2 hours each. (Or 1 hour... I was a long time ago ) I abosultly loved it!

Anyways, that also explains the dizzy pace of the movie, because it crams about a 3rd of the series into one movie. It also explains the ending because it's not over yet.

I wish Jet li will make a sequal for this to complete the story line! It could be a trilogy!

Anyways, let me spoil your future for you a little.

The story is about two swords which are unbreakable. So the owners who use it becomes very strong. (Like the Green Destiny in Crouching Tiger. BTW, the clan that Jet Li originally belonged to with Sammo is the same Wu Dan clan as in crouching tiger)

Every one wants the sword. The story evolved into Jet Li mastering all the highest techniques of each martial arts school. He always ends up stuck somewhere with a master or a place with the secrets written down.

He falls in love (out of like 5 or 6 to choose from) and drives the mongols out of china. the end.

A little history note here (I am no expert, but). Wu Dan clan is very popular because they were the clan which gathered all the martial arts schools and groups and drove out the mongols out of china. Just like the movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: let it blow your mind
Review: This 1993 film is one of the few olden-day movies kung-fu artist Jet Li has done that isn't during the Manchu era. "Kung-Fu Cult Master" is so creative that if you only like realistic kung-fu movies, you won't appreciate this one. "Kung-Fu Cult Master" includes various types of kung-fu from different schools and temples, and the majority of fight scenes are highly original. Also, wirework is impressive, however does not mar the fighting sequences. Jet Li also gives one of the most impressive martial arts performances in his career, with great choreography done by Sammo Hung.

The scenery, like the traps and tomb in the movie, are impressive and filled with creative ideas that only a very broad-minded person could think of. Again, this movie isn't realistic, but the plot is well-developed (except may be a bit confusing the first time, and the end leaves you hanging.) The movie was left hanging with an ending that will nag at you for a week in wonders of what happens, for a sequel to "The Kung-Fu Cult Master" was planned, however never released, even though enough scenes were shot to make the movie; the scenes were never turned into a finished product.

Acting is highly amusing at times and at others, very moving. Jet Li and Chingymy Yau Suk-Ching pair up AGAIN to bring impressive performances that are heightened by superb directing by famous Wong Jing, choreographed kung-fu scenes by Sammo Hung, and the movie's set. If you're a kung-fu movie fan, this is near perfection.

Supporting actors and actresses: Chingmy Yau Suk-Ching - (City Hunter w/ Jackie Chan, Ghost Lantern w/ Tony Leung, God of Gamblers w/ Chow Yun-Fat, Legend of the Liquid Sword w/ Aaron Kwok, Young & Dangerous 2 w/ Ekin Cheng, & New Legend of Shaolin & High Risk w/ Jet Li)

Cheung Man - plays Jet Li/Mo Kei's mother + a princess

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo - plays Jet Li/Mo Kei's granduncle Tsui Kam-Kong Francis Ng (2000 AD w/ Aaron Kwok, Miracles w/ Jackie Chan, Once Upon A Time In China & America w/ Jet Li, Sausalito w/ Leon Lai & Maggie Cheung, & Whatever Will Be, Will be w/ Aaron Kwok & Kelly Chan.) Ngai Sing Richard Ng Yil-Hon Leung Ka-Yan Gigi Lai Chi - (Fist Power w/ Zhao Wen-Zhuo & For Bad Boys Only w/ Ekin Cheng, Louis Koo, Shu Zi, Kristy Yeung)

Other kung-fu movie recommendations: "Once Upon A Time In China" series + "Once Upon A Time In China and America" "Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2" "Deadly China Hero" "Tai Chi Master" "Legend of Shaolin" "Fist of Legend" "Iron Monkey" "Bride With White Hair" "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" "Romeo Must Die", "Kiss of the Dragon"(English)

- Priscilla


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