Month: August 2024

Today’s quick review: Battle Creek Brawl. Jerry Kwan (Jackie Chan), a young man living in Chicago, catches the attention of Dominici (Jose Ferrer), a powerful gangster, when Jerry fights off some of Domnici’s toughest men using the martial arts his Uncle Herbert (Mako) taught him. Impressed with Jerry’s talent, Dominici kidnaps his brother’s fiance to force Jerry to compete in the Battle Creek Brawl, a fighting tournament with a hefty cash prize.

Battle Creek Brawl is a martial arts action comedy starring Jackie Chan. Chan’s first movie in America has elements of his usual formula, including a plucky but rash hero and inventive stunt work with a comedic twist. However, it is also less developed than some of his other work, with a pared-down plot, a lower density of jokes, and less ambitious stunts.

Battle Creek Brawl has some clear limitations, beginning with its plot. The premise has some potential as a story with personal conflict and triumph, but the movie skips all of the tension and development needed to make that happen. Instead, it uses Jerry’s predicament to motivate the action and otherwise ignores it, even leaving some major plot threads unresolved. The result is a story that only does the bare minimum to reach the finale.

But within that framework, Battle Creek Brawl manages to be enjoyable. The fighting gets off to a slow start, but as the fights get larger and more elaborate, Chan’s acrobatic prowess finally gets the chance to shine. The tournament itself is a series of sprawling battles with the right mix of danger and levity. And while the film’s humor is not as well-developed as Chan’s later work, it is enough to keep the tone light.

Battle Creek Brawl does not have the raw appeal of Jackie Chan’s best work, but it is an enjoyable pick nonetheless. Give it a shot if you are in the mood for athletic stunts with a comedic bent and don’t care too much about the plot. Skip it if you are looking for a movie with depth.

For Jackie Chan in a similar role, check out Rumble in the Bronx. For a more robust action comedy from Chan, this time set in historical China, try Drunken Master or The Legend of Drunken Master. For an action adventure with a similar kidnapping plot, fantasy elements, and a tongue-in-cheek tone, try Big Trouble in Little China.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080436/). I give it a 6.5 for decent action with a weak scaffolding.

Today’s quick review: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Inspired by his teacher, San Te (Gordon Liu) joins the rebellion against the Manchu government. But when General Tien Ta (Lo Lieh) kills his family in retaliation, San Te flees to the Shaolin temple to learn the secret art of kung fu. After years of training in the temple’s 35 chambers, San Te sets out to find Tien Ta and avenge his family’s death.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a martial arts action movie about a young man who takes up kung fu to avenge his parents and free his town from the reign of a tyrannical general. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin features a better story than many martial arts films, with steady pacing and a clear sense of progress. Impressive stunts and a fascinating training sequence round out a film with a lot to offer fans of the genre.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin spends the bulk of its time on San Te’s training. Arriving at the temple as a brash young man who thinks he can take on the world, San Te rises through the ranks through his talent, determination, and willingness to go the extra mile for his craft. The trials he faces are physically grueling and varied enough to keep the audience engaged, and the lessons he learns are hard-won and satisfying.

The result is a martial arts film with a simple premise and unusually clean execution. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is not as complicated or as full of intrigue as some of the other films in the genre, but its detailed training regimen, acts of physical prowess, and meaningful character growth make it a strong pick for anyone who enjoys its style of action.

For a loose sequel with a more comedic bent, try Return to the 36th Chamber. For another martial arts movie about an impetuous young man who picks up martial arts, try Drunken Master, Kickboxer, or The Karate Kid.

[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078243/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid fundamentals and a satisfying progression.