Hun shen shi dan

Hi, this is probably slightly off-message, and I had the luck to see this movie theatrically (good fun, appalling CGI airship, dumb dialogue, very well shot). I actually like Michael Wong but it seems he is not particularly liked by the HK movie community as a whole, but to them I say see 'Beast Cops', which is a superb HK movie but which doesn't seem to be particularly well regarded. What I have to ask is am I the only one who thought that Shannon Lee was quite unbelievably sexy? Turned me on like a light-switch! OK, she's not exactly classically beautiful or sylph-like but Hell's Teeth! She was / is one truly sexy woman. And the tight, black togs.....

Mind you, I once had a girlfriend who looked a bit like her so that might be colouring my feelings but - lordie! - she pushes my buttons! MC.

Corey Yuen directs this martial arts/action outing set amid the architectural splendour of Prague.

If you've seen any Corey Yuen film before then you'll no doubt know exactly what to expect here; lots of close up, quick edit fight scenes and imaginative wire aided stunts.

Interestingly, the quick cut/edit style is a fairly recent cinematic phenomena. The advantages are obvious; Highly complex combinations of moves (which may well be impossible to film in single takes) can be created via fast editing of smaller combinations of moves or sometimes even single moves. Another advantage and one which Hollywood has keenly exploited utilising this style has been that big name stars who are, shall we say politely, not exactly gifted martial artists, can be made to look good via the same (trick) technique.

Why am I talking about all this?

Simple, it's because I really loath the said style!

For me personally, I want to see more naturally fluid fight scenes, unaided by editing trickery! If the actors can't do it for real then don't bother to do it all all!

But enough of my ranting and back to the film in question…is it any good? Well, aside from some of the aforementioned fighting scenes, the film is actually fairly entertaining stuff. There's certainly never a shortage of action and there's even a pleasant splattering of gore. It's especially great to see the legendary Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez on screen again although even his moves have suffered the editing treatment (and Benny is one chap who most certainly does NOT need any help in fight sequences!)

Overall, whilst far from essential viewing, there are certainly far worse ways to spend an hour and a half of your time.

WOW! This movie is the best HK-movie I've ever seen (except for some Jackie Chan-movies). The acting is great, and Bruce Lee's daughter shows that she wants to keep the family-tradition, of great martial arts. And there's a lot of expensive action scenes. I gave it 8/10.

It seems Hong Kong movies and John Woo/ Ringo Lam films have influenced everybody these days and now it seems even Hong Kong movies have become influenced by the heddy days of heroic bloodshed for which Woo is credited for.

Shannon Lee and her gang are major jewel theives out to rob a diamond (think The Pink Pather but with Kung Fu), but they are also in contention with street pickpockets wanting to hit the big time.

With lots of action underscoring and a lack of characterisation on any of the main characters, its action all the way. Shannon has no personality except when she smiles with her eyebrows. She looks like a Xena meets Trinity.

The main good guy is over the top and sometimes saves the films with his outlandish remarks. The action never lets up, and although some of it is remarkably dull or very similar to Police Story III or other movies, there is a refreshing pace to the film.

Shannon and Benny Uriqudez have a good fight in the end die-hard-in-a-blimp sequence, but it pales in comparison with the Jackie Chan fights with Benny the Jet.

Shannon makes a good effort of being a gymnast-cum-diamond theif who can do quick kicks and quick side-on gags at her father (Bruce Lee) by doing the same things her father does (ie. rip off hair, do that thing with his nose or doing warcries), unfortuently it makes the film, and shannon very silly, she shouldn't be copying Mr Lee, she should do what she wants to do and leave history to Judge Bruce, not silly side on gags.

There are plot silliness to the film, and although a fun film to watch, it isn't the best of Hong Kong Cinema, give it a miss.

Overall: 3/10

Solid Hong Kong action movie which would be less interesting but for the presence of Bruce Lee's daughter (as I'm sure she hates being introduced) Shannon. She certainly has the moves and seems to have picked up much of the charisma, plus there are a few cool visual gags which serve to point out her famous heritage (there's a really neat bit where she tears out a bad guy's hair and blows it away, much as her dad once did to Chuck Norris}. Shannon's final fight on the airship is magnificent. Well worth checking out if you can find it.