Shao Lin yu Wu Dang

Shaolin and Wu Tang is pretty good, and fairly entertaining overall. It's a movie that's stuffed with so many martial arts movie narrative conventions it almost feels like a parody. It's got rival martial arts schools, spies, a shadowy villain, revenge, and intensive training scenes playing a part at just the point you'd expect them to be. It crams it all into a runtime of under 90 minutes, but doesn't feel silly enough to be a parody. It's more like a greatest hits compilation; all the good stuff you'd want from a martial arts story (arguably too much).

The action's really good, which is the main thing. It's not as frequently peppered with big scenes as some other martial arts movies, but there's enough. The less action-focused parts of Shaolin and Wu Tang are just fine. It doesn't waste time, and throws enough at you to make sure it's always interesting. The story isn't always charging forward, but non-action scenes tend to be brief in duration, which I think helps with the pacing.

Gordon Liu is also great here, as always. Some sites say he directed this, and some don't, so maybe he co-directed? Or did some scenes? There's not as much reliable info as there should be for a movie this solid, and similarly disappointing is how bad all the versions of it seem to be. This could really do with a remaster, and would deserve it.

Also, goes without saying, but it's definitely easy to recommend for anyone who likes Wu-Tang Clan's music.

An excellent martial arts movie. My favorite part is the beginning sequence where the lone wu-tang warrior fights against a squad of monks. The beginning fight scene is worth every penny it costs you to buy the movie.

The instant appeal of this film is that I was a fan of the Wu Tang Clan's debut album "Enter The Wu Tang" and the sound clips from the film that the gang used . " You really think your Wu tang style can defeat me ? " , "if what you say is true , the Wu tang and the Shao Lin..could be dangerous " and so forth , so for myself and the mate who I shared a domino's pizza with, we had the delight of hearing those famous quotes on screen and repeating them in true Shao Lin style.

The second major appeal of this cult classic was the star, Mr.Gordon Liu , you may know him better as Pai Mei in Kill Bill volume 2 (who was basically the hardest man in the world) . Gordon is in superb form and emerges from talented but gentle nice guy (if not a bit camp ) jun kip to bald Shao Lin warrior tat chi .

I have a feeling that this would be the 2 main appeals of most potential viewers and for my money they are the only reasons to watch , the Kung Fu is superb and the audience is given the treat of both highly skilled martial arts in equal dosage , it just seems a shame that it is poorly used in a bizarre plot , from point A to point B , it reads as simple , two friends , one of the Shao Lin school and one of the Wu tang school must eventually meet each other in a fight to the death , to determine who's style is best . What lies in between is a plot that can only be described as mesmerising , characters seem to vanish , objectives of characters change through out for no apparent reason , men are locked up in prison with shrieking women , it's all one giant bizarre mess to fill the cassam between the start and the finish .

Watch because you love kung fu (the kung fu is excellent) , watch because your a fan of Gordon liu, watch because your a fan of the Wu tang clan album "enter the Wu tang " but don't watch because you like a good story.

First, watch original English Dub. It just... has this charm that will grow on you. Both characters, the villain, and both sisters are just awesome. Johnny Wang as the villain is hilarious. He has NO tact! Idy Chan is also excellent in her role as Gordon Liu's sister. She steals every scene she's in! Li Ching is also great. You're honestly never sure if she's in it for herself, the villain, or some other purpose. And Gordon Liu & Adam Cheng are phenomenal as always. One of my favorite roles of Adam Cheng & Gordon Liu during this time period. The action & fight choreography is top-notch and still stands the test of time. Ever since I first saw it as a child in NY on Fox 5 after Saturday Morning Cartoons, I've been a fan of the film and the genre!

I'm a fan of both Wu Tang and HK martial arts films.

This movie is good as a kung fu flick, great if you are a Wu Tang fan, just to hear the samples in context.

But as a standalone its quite uneven.

The costumes are pretty decent. Many other films of this era are less picky about such details. I don't know if any are historically accurate, but they at least fit the actors, and have some details.

Sets are not too bad either.

The lighting and cinematography are mediocre. So you have a strange circumstance where you are looking at pretty well dressed actors in a believable set, but the camera is barely in focus lighting seems to mostly be single point or available light. And its 4:3 aspect ratio further takes it down a notch in presentation.

The acting is nothing to write home about. But its really the story that stinks. Its just kind of meanders and there isn't a real compelling story arc or character development.

However the fight choreo is pretty decent.

Thought it might even be Yuen Wo Ping.

Its really one of those films where you are twiddling your thumbs while people are talking then a fight breaks out and it has your attention again.

I'm being a little hard on it because its an 80's film. But it comes off like a 60's or 70's film. It should have better production value. Look at Jimmy Wang Yu's Master of the Flying Guilllotine. It's from 1976 but had better lighting and cinematography. The story is a trite, but it at least has a B plot. And some great characters!

Despite all my quibbles Gordon Liu is great.