Mick-55

This is a pretty off-beat sort of HK film with a fair share of action and a lot of silliness. Our hero may be incompetent at Kung Fu, but his gadgetry reminds me of Q from the Bond films, whose music is ripped off and whose sexy introductions are parodied at the start of the film. The usual HK blood spilling, a very twisting and contorting (and even surprising in its predictability) plot and a sentimental thread of the happy couple make this worth a look. It kind of sits between Jackie Chan and the Chinese Ghost Story series.

This movie is confusing! The heros parents are friends with "the bad guys???" and are killed by "the good guys". The hero then seeks revenge and a cure to the fatal wound he received as a child. To do this he must learn two stance, one of which he learns from a Shaolin monk trapped in a large rock. Just a little different to MY martial arts teachers!

I found that the plot was hard to follow, the two women in the heroe life being secretive and mysterious - and neither secrets are resolved. The wife-fu is good, but no better than movies like Iron Monkey or the Swordsman. I have to say I was a little disappointed with this film, but if you like HK fantasy, still have a look at it.

I really loved this flick. A Kung Fu Robin Hood fights corruption in officialdom whilst providing for the poor and needy. Kung Fu skills go from fancy kicks and hand work, to wok skills, balancing on poles and beating up bullies with an umbrella. Once the visiting doctor realises his mistake in wanting to defeat our hero, a dynamic team up results against the evil foes from Shaolin who misuse their art to the obligatory Kung Fu bad guys (and girls). The characters are quite good, even the little kid didn't irritate me (good skills). This movie has some padding, with the father-son routine. It worked ok, adding some plot and human interest to the movie. Even one of the corrupt officials (Master Fox) moves beyond 1D, though the Shaolin monk is truly the 1D bad guy. Well done Tsui Hark.