Yan jing she

I'm a sucker for Asian martial arts flicks. Even though I can easily withstand the poor dubbing, bad dialogue, and lack of plot, the brutally violent action is where most of my fun and enjoyment comes from. And COBRA (starring Bruce Le, not Sylvester Stallone) serves all of your satisfying needs. Those kung-fu chop-sockies were built to stay that way! A few scenes bored me to tears within the first hour, but the movie manages to get more exciting as time ticks by. Bruce Le delivers huge blows to his bloody opponents combining some swift (and sometimes jerky) choreography. Watch Le kick the bad guy's groins from behind! YEEE-OWWWCH!!! The deaths of Le's wife and child are the most shocking aspects of COBRA than any martial arts movie I've seen, and it all comes down to a long revengeful conclusion with a big surprise on the last second before you can say "THE END". Without any further adieu, listen very hard for a stolen Simon & Garfunkel tune, "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Other Asian kung-fu movies had borrowed our American music in them, too. Be sure to find this one, 'cause it's got all the pain, blood, and suffering life can buy!

Contemporary (1970s) setting doesn't improve standard melodrama involving smuggling circle. Film does have twist conclusion and some good kung fu action but also funky discotheque muzak (elevator versions of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'C.H.I.P.S.' Theme!!!) and a trite 'Death Wish' plot.

Dashes of Lee's 'Chinese Connection' & 'Fists Of Fury' with the classic style of the first ten minutes are the best thing about this bland actioner. Note to collectors: the tape had no video label distributor listed and the film had a running time of 92 minutes. Also the tape listed 1978 as the year of release.