
Watches
March 22, 2017
A Shaw Bros martial art film in a slightly more modern setting. It may sound like a minor detail, but since so many of their projects are historic action films, it does come off quite different. It's no revenge flick either, but a zero-to-hero story about two competing fighters. Sadly, the changes here aren't necessarily for the better.
Two young fighters make a name for themselves fighting against and beating some of Shanghai's most renowned fighters. The two seem to be doing well for themselves, but one of the biggest gangs in town is only interested in recruiting Cheng. This starts a rivalry between the two, making their rise to the top quite a bit more challenging.
At 120 minutes long, there is simply too much cruft here. The great martial arts choreographies are saved until the very end (which takes longer than usual) and the more contemporary setting feels a bit awkward with Chang in the director chair. Not a very remarkable film, even though it did garner quite a reputation. The finale is pretty cool, other than that I was left somewhat disappointed.
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Cheh Chang

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Return of the One-Armed Swordsman

Shaolin Rescuers

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The Bloody Escape

The Brave Archer

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The Delightful Forest

The Invincible Fist

The Magnificent Ruffians

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Trail of the Broken Blade

Trilogy of Swordsmanship

Vengeance!

Five Deadly Venoms

Five Shaolin Masters

House of Traps

King Eagle

Magnificent Wanderers

Man of Iron

Masked Avengers

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Ode to Gallantry

Ten Tigers of Kwangtung

The Assassin

The Deadly Duo

The Delinquent

The Flag of Iron

The Flying Dagger

The Iron Bodyguard

The New One-Armed Swordsman

The New Shaolin Boxers

The Rebel Intruders

The Sword Stained with Royal Blood

The Water Margin

Two Champions of Death

Brave Archer 4

Chinese Super Ninjas

Disciples of Shaolin

Four Riders

Kid with the Golden Arm

Shanghai 13

Shaolin Martial Arts

The Dancing Warrior

The Demons

The Fantastic Magic Baby

The Heroic Ones

The One-Armed Swordsman

The Pirate

Chinatown Kid

Duel of Fists

Journey to the West

Police Force

The Angry Guest

The Anonymous Heroes

The Butterfly Chalice

The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires

The Singing Killer

The Singing Thief

The Generation Gap
