Chong po gong fu cheng

Is what this adds up to, to me. I once owned this movie and I liked it as well. John Liu is an awesome Martial Artist. Just as he was in Kung Fu Commandos. What a great film. A little drawn out but it's worth it as you see with each fight how John Liu progresses to where the punishments become more and more harsh as it truly is a struggle through death. I would like to own this movie once again someday. I liked it because of the storyline behind it and because of the action in it. I can't remember the grand villain's name but he is good too. I've seen him in quite a few Kung Fu flicks as well. If you have an opportunity to and this movie becomes available. I suggest to watch it and then you can decide if you'd like to own it or not.

John Liu and many other men are forced into slavery. He fights back but does not have his "Shadowless Kick" technique yet. The beatings continue.

Beatings have no entertainment value.

The story is about escape. Many great movies have been made with this simple story line. It is a formulaic story line and any deviation from the story line results in complete failure. This movie was made with no knowledge of the formula for the escape story. For example, there has to be two failed escape attempts first and these attempts make it worse for all the prisoners. Also, this is a "black and white" plot in that the bad guys are totally bad. In this movie the character of the doctor makes no sense at all. I could go on but why bother?

I know there is a big cultural thing about kneeling and submission that does not translate well from East to West but even allowing for that this movie still fails as a story.

John does not raise a leg in a kick until about the 50 minute mark. The only part of this movie that has any entertainment value begins a few minutes after that when he starts the leg training.

This movie is only for hard core fans of the genre and really starts at about the 50 minute mark. As such a fan I can add after watching it once I doubt I will ever watch it again.