Today’s quick review: The Legend of Drunken Master. Wong Fei-Hung (Jackie Chan) lands in trouble when he accidentally takes a package containing a priceless jade seal from the British ambassador (Louis Roth) as he was smuggling it out of the country. When the ambassador sends his men to rough up Fei-Hung and harass his family, Fei-Hung must disobey his father (Lung Ti) and use the powerful but dangerous technique of drunken boxing to defend himself.
The Legend of Drunken Master is a martial arts action comedy starring Jackie Chan. The movie showcases drunken boxing, an erratic, unpredictable martial arts style that uses alcohol to numb a fighter to pain. Fei-Hung’s use of the style makes him a fearsome opponent, but using too much alcohol sends him over the edge, which is why his father forbids the art. This unusual technique gives the film plenty of material for its action and comedy alike.
As far as action goes, The Legend of Drunken Master is one of Jackie Chan’s sharpest films. The stunts are fast-paced and endlessly creative, making use of improvised weaponry, a variety of environments, and the flashy moves of Fei-Hung’s fighting style to keep the action fresh. The martial arts talent on display is hard to top. The fights do skew somewhat more violent than Jackie Chan’s other work, but only to keep the stakes high and never to excess.
The Legend of Drunken Master doesn’t skimp on comedy, either. Fei-Hung is a natural troublemaker, an easygoing slacker whose shortcuts tend to backfire. His friendly personality and double-edged fighting style are a perfect fit for Jackie Chan. But the film’s unexpected comedic star is Anita Mui, who plays Fei-Hung’s wily stepmother Ling, a fiery woman who covers for her stepson, gambles behind her husband’s back, and steals the show whenever she’s onscreen.
The movie’s sharp action and earnest comedy are balanced out by a story with plenty of natural drama. Though the movie generally keeps up a light tone, the plot dips into drama at key moments. Fei-Hung faces constant setbacks, whether from his stern father, the ambassador’s men, or his own mistakes. Overcoming them gives Fei-Hung a weight that a purely comedic character would lack, while the story’s dramatic beats set up its fight scenes quite nicely.
The Legend of Drunken Master is an excellent pick for fans of Jackie Chan or the martial arts genre in general. Between its unique fighting style, talented cast, and careful balance between action, comedy, and drama, The Legend of Drunken Master has everything it needs to entertain a viewer who’s at all interested in the genre. For a similar flavor of martial arts comedy from Jackie Chan, try Project A or Rumble in the Bronx.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for just the right mix of stunt work and humor.