films seen
2
average score
2.50*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking

Movies


The Tantana

Mi Zong Wei Long
1991 / 91m - Hong Kong
Action, Comedy, Fantasy
3.0*/5.0*
The Tantana poster

Though I love myself a bit of early 90s Hong Kong fantasy/martial arts, I'd never heard of this film before. Not too surprising maybe, since it's really just some second tier genre filler, but with someone like Sammo Hung involved both in front and behind the camera, you'd figure it would have at least has some kind of status.

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Hong Kong was teaming with this type of fantasy/martial arts productions around that time, and The Tantana looks quite low-budget compared to some of the more infamous entries in the genre. It's not hard to see how this got snowed under, but that makes it an ideal film for rediscovery, especially for people like me who've already seen most other films in this niche.

The plot is as basic as can be (an unsuspecting guy turns out to be the big hero but must train with a master before he can take on the villain), but the comedy, action and fantasy bits are pretty amusing and the pacing is perfect. It's vintage filler cinema, but the kind genre fans will welcome at a time when they feel they've seen all there is to see.


Born to Fight

Shi Jie Da Shai
1989 / 90m - Hong Kong
Action
2.0*/5.0*
Born to Fight poster