clauzy82

As one of my favourite kung-fu films I watched as a kid, I searched in vain for Twin Warriors for years, but to no avail until I see it under the guise of Tai-Chi Master, I should have known that Hong Kong or Italian films come in a variety of names when translated to English.

This film is nearly flawless, it has a great story of Kwan-Bo (Jet Li) & Chin-Bo (Siu-Ho Chin) who grow up in a Shaolin monk monastery together, both have different views on life and this will eventually come to play a major part in the plot of the film. The choreography and fight scenes are absolutely beautiful. The scenery, music and atmosphere are all gorgeous. It has plenty of elaborate fight scenes to keep you entertained and a story to keep you enthralled, with a little bit of Hong Kong cheese thrown in for good measure. My only gripe the recovery scene might go a little too far in what is not a campy film.

Jet Li as Kwan-Bo is masterful, Siu-Ho Chin as Chin-Bo is his equal and the talented Michelle Yeoh as Siu Lin is not only stunning her fight scenes are breathtaking, especially the trap scene. Other stand outs are Jiankui Sun as Royal Eunuch, Fennie Yuen as Miss Li and Cheng-Yan Yuen as Reverend Ling and the comic relief.

All in all, if you love chopsocky, kung-fu or beat 'em ups this is 100% for you. If you aren't too pushed on the Hong Kong style, this might be the one to change your mind.

Cheesemeisters: Bits of cheese dotted throughout the film.

This film isn't as bad as a lot of the reviews, it has a kind of charm about it. B-movie schlock that delivers in one thing fun. Lets face it the plot is awful, if there is one, everything is convenient. The acting at times is wooden, but for the most part they do a good job. The teenagers could actually be teenagers (apart from Skip) and not your usual balding, armpit trouser wearing 40 year old teen from this era. I have a theory that Regg & Skip were actually in love with one another as they tried everything in their power to either abandon the girls or leave them to the slaughter like lambs, so maybe the plot was thicker than I thought, either way those girls looking back have got to dump those two lads. If you like B-movies or just plain bad ones, this is right up your alley. Don't expect a gem and you'll be fine it's better than half the schlock from this era or any era and one you can enjoy with the kids.

For the cheesemeisters: plenty in this flick to savour, but about 3/4 way through their is a shooting pure 24 carat cheese that made me laugh out loud. Or that final scene.

My mind keeps changing on this one. In no way is this a great film, but like Batman & Robin it depends on what mood you are in when you watch it. I watched this with the kids recently and I enjoyed the back & forth we had while the film was on, I know on previous watches I despised it, didn't enjoy it either back when it came out in the cinema. Let's face it, this was never going to live up to its predecessor and any expectations that it would were folly.

Alex Shaw (Jason Patric) is a cop who wants to have a romantic getaway with Annie (Sandra Bullock) on a cruise liner. That is until the ship is taken over by the mad John Geiger (Willem Defoe). Begin the 2hr slog.

This movie is rammed full of issues, the plot has way too many loopholes, it is a good 30 mins too long, wooden Jason Patric is saved by Sandra Bullock along with the other supporting cast and Willem Defoe doesn't get enough time on screen, or does he get too much. Not sure about the last one. Could have done with more Willem Defoe, but not more of John Geiger and his diabolical, idiotic scheming.

Where does it go right. Well, if you are in the mood, it is a fun movie too watch with the right people around you and possibly a few beers. Jason Patric fits the roll, but in no way would it have worked without someone like Sandra Bullock to hold the fort, even though she is annoying at times during this flick, she still carries it on her shoulders. Some of the other stand out cast are Temuera Morrison as Juliano, Brian McCardie as Merced, Mike Hagerty as Harvey and Colleen camp as Debbie.

For the cheese: that plot is straight out of 80's Cannon.

Rating: 5.5 Cheese of the melt: 8.25.