O Destino de Lee Khan

This early hong kong flick is an enjoyable lark. While the fights and effects are sometimes laughably primitive by today's standards, they are nonetheless well-choreographed. The story is pretty intriguing, the intentional humor hits the mark, and, the acting is actually surprisingly competent for the genre, which can tend to be hokey and melodramatic.

All in all, worth seeing for fans of Bruce Lee, John Woo, and "The Matrix," all of whom are obviously influenced by movies such as this.

There are many interesting facts (like Bruce Lee apparently visiting the set and so forth), that depending on what Edition you bought (or if you watch it digitally), will be included. Now generally speaking, I am quite biased towards movies of this type. So if you are not a fan or have cherished Shaw Brothers movies or eastern action flicks, you may feel "betrayed" by my score.

Having said that, the movie is nicely set up, with the action almost entirely playing in one location. The shoot must have been nice and also cost effective one may think. While this is a drama, this has a lot of fights and action scenes. The biggest one at its climax. Now some may think or question why it took so long - but you wouldn't do the movie justice with questioning things like that. Also you want to have fun, don't you? I would think the answer is yes to this.

So sit back and enjoy a hand to hand combat, but also quite nice swordplay. I was not too aware of the director of this before I watched it (never read too much about things I'm going to watch) or how generally praised this is - again we're talking about a certain community and fan base of course. If you're not included in that, it doesn't mean you are wrong or right. It's just not your thing. If it is, you're also not right or wrong, you'll just enjoy and cherish it, is all

Angela Mao stars as a pre-Ming dynasty (or around that time) restaurant waitress. The restaurant seems to get one bad customer after another while something clandestine is going on with the restaurant. It's being used as communication post for the Chinese rebels. They use coins to indicate that one's an agent. Soon, Lee Khan the Mongol lord himself shows up at the restaurant.

The production company says it's Golden Harvest, but it looks awfully low budget for a Golden Harvest production. Maybe there was a collaboration between Taiwan movie studios. The shooting style is not like that of Golden Harvest either. There's no dynamic close up shots during the fight scenes like you see in their production. Actors are all Hong Kong actors (except Angela Mao, who's Taiwanese).

The movie is pretty one dimensional, and although it was shot at the height of Angela Mao's beauty, it didn't capitalize on her fabulous kung-fu skills or on screen presence. It's best to look for other Angela Mao movies to get the best of her actions.

King Hu is so in his wheelhouse here that The Fate of Lee Khan is sure to provoke feelings of deja vu for anyone who's seen a handful of his greatest hits, but he did this kind of thing undeniably well. There's intrigue and characters all being very shady, mostly confined in a single location that builds suspense, punctuated by brief but satisfying bursts of action throughout, all leading to an inevitably entertaining finale.

But as far as his "deep cuts" go (basically anything that's not Dragon Inn or A Touch of Zen, and even then, those are arguably underrated in the overall scheme of things), this one's good. Some of his more out there films have bored me a little, but this one's solid. Nothing being reinvented and little by way of surprises, but it's a satisfying and well-made martial arts movie nonetheless.

King Hu's "Ying chun ge zhi Fengbo," or "The Fate of Lee Khan," is a thrilling ride through the martial arts genre, with a healthy dose of noir and comedy sprinkled on top. It's an ambitious undertaking that, while not without its flaws, cements Hu's legacy as a master of his craft.

The film follows a central premise of assassination, but don't expect a heavy, gritty affair. Hu injects levity and humor into the mix, creating a more light-hearted and playful atmosphere than one might expect.

The ladies of the film take center stage when it comes to martial arts prowess, and they don't disappoint. The occasional scrapes and fights leading up to the climax showcase their skills, and the final act is a non-stop action extravaganza. Hu's trademark wu xia touches are on full display, with characters defying gravity in their leaps and using hidden trampolines to traverse the inn with ease.

However, it's important to note that the film may not satisfy those seeking the intense, contemporary-set martial arts spectacles that Bruce Lee popularized. Hu's style is more classical and elegant, with a simmering tone that builds tension. This film is part of a new wave of wuxia films that Hu helped pioneer, but it may have felt out of step with the market at the time of its release.

The story and pacing have their fair share of issues. The plot sometimes feels convoluted, with too many subplots and characters that don't get enough development. Certain scenes feel rushed, while others drag on for too long, disrupting the flow of the narrative. Despite these flaws, Hu's direction and the strong performances from the cast, especially the leading ladies, shine through.

"Ying chun ge zhi Fengbo" is a film that, while not perfect, is an enjoyable and unique entry into the martial arts genre. It showcases Hu's mastery of blending genres and his ability to create compelling, action-packed stories. It may not be as well-known as some of Hu's other works, but it's a hidden gem worth discovering, especially for fans of martial arts films seeking something a little different.

A fun, ambitious, and unique martial arts adventure with a healthy dose of comedy and thrilling action, slightly held back by pacing issues and a convoluted narrative.