Yang guo yu xiao long nu

As with most Shaw Brothers productions, Kung fu elements are the most prominent feature of the story. But this film mixes fantasy, a bit of history and the usual combative heroes and villains in a charming story. The hero is Yong Guo, whose father died at the hands of... (?), who must make something of himself in life. After difficulties with one master, he meets the Little Dragon Maiden, a young beauty who has fantastic Kung fu/magical abilities.

Leslie Cheung, who later went on to great heights in Chinese cinema, reaching his pinnacle in Chen Kai-ge's Farewell My Concubine, plays our forlorn hero in this very early role. Those who are familiar with the Shaw Brothers will see several of the usual Shaw stars in the film. While the script at times seems to veer into realism, and then back to fantasy, it manages to combine action, romance and a few unsavory elements into a watchable whole. Not the best of the Shaw Brothers, but one that manages to be a bit different.

I love the Shaw Brothers.

Everyone makes a mistake.

This movie is their mistake.

It's almost an "it's so bad it's good" movie but not quite. I wince every time I think about the guy in the bird suit. Oh yes, a giant bird suit with a disgusting pot belly and a brain sort of thing sticking out on top. It is pretty hilarious when the main character stupidly runs right off the edge of a huge cliff. Literally: ahhhhhhhhhhh... But 30-minutes later he falls off the SAME CLIFF! He must have taken brain damage on the first fall, but luckily Big Bird catches him the second time.

The fight choreography is awful. They jump off the right side of the screen and out of a set, and it cuts to a fight in a wide open field with no building nearby for miles. The spinning disk weapon is done terribly with an annoying sound effect.

Cripes, I could go on and on.

Skip this one.

And I'm not talking about the fight scenes. You should be fine with those though I reckon there are people who might not like them. But that is a different matter overall. No there are things in here, that not just because of the #metoo movement should make you cringe.

While at first a scene that is really dark seems to exist without any real reason, there is some consequence for the character "assaulted". Which is explained quite weirdly. But while you might question the balance of funny and serious the movie tries to throw at the viewer, it is better if you don't. For your own viewing pleasure that is. Take it with a grain of salt, enjoy the fights, the silliness and the serious consequences of people fighting each other. A general love for martial arts in general isn't bad either

Corny AF, comedy, kung fu, love story, etc... It had it all.

Shaw Brother's production

Romantic story - Wuxia

Very over-stylized "wire" fight scenes (quite beautiful)

Costumes and story are charming.

Acting is decent, the story seems at times macabre; but if you are fortunate it might be just your cup of tea.

The performance of the "little dragon girl" in particular is unforgettable - as is her beauty. It seems from her IMDB-page, that she did not appear on many other productions, which further adds to the mysterious air around her performance.

Ideally this movie is suited to suspend reality for a while; to dream away and enjoy an adventure in the form of a Shaw-production.

Give it a chance, you might just like it. I think that it would in particular also appeal to older children (there is blood and violence in this movie, but no more than in your average brutal video-game - there is no explicit sex or nudity)

Every once in a while you come across a movie that touches you in an indescribable way. This movie did this to me - maybe because I was tired and could let myself open up for it.