Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: The Prisoner. Following the murder of the police chief by a convict who was supposed to have been executed, Andy (Tony Cheung), an honest cop, goes undercover as a prisoner to investigate. In prison, he befriends Charlie (Tou Tsung-hua), his timid cellmate, John (Sammo Hung), an affable escape artist, and Steve (Jackie Chan), a man convicted for accidentally killing the brother of Boss Lee (Andy Lau), a dangerous criminal.

The Prisoner is a Hong Kong action movie starring Tony Cheung, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Andy Lau. The movie follows a group of prisoners as they attempt to survive the harsh realities of prison life and expose a conspiracy among the prison staff. In spite of a talented cast and an intriguing plot hook, The Prisoner is at best a mixed success. Flawed storytelling and limited action make it a movie with relatively little payoff.

The main failing of The Prisoner is that it doesn’t know what kind of story it wants to tell. The opening is fine: a cop goes undercover at a prison where death row inmates are secretly being released to commit crimes. But once Andy arrives at the prison, the story shifts into a drama with no sign of the original premise. The movie then detours further into the unrelated stories of Steve and John before finally remembering why Andy is there.

All of this means that there is no meaningful structure to hang the action off of. Jackie Chan gets one or two fights against swarms of criminals, but they are far from his best work. The occasional prison riot, knife fight, or escape attempt keeps the movie from getting too stale, but very little of the action actually serves the plot. With a meandering story and modest spectacle, The Prisoner has a hard time keeping the audience’s interest.

The Prisoner is still a passable pick for fans of Hong Kong action movies. The snippets of prison drama are moderately effective, and the cruel fates waiting for some of the prisoners helps separate The Prisoner from movies where the characters are more protected. But ultimately, The Prisoner does not deliver on its promises, making it a weaker choice than other movies in a similar vein.

For a more thrilling story about an undercover cop, try The Departed or Infernal Affairs. For a budget action movie about an undercover cop in prison, try Riot. For a much more satisfying prison drama, try Cool Hand Luke, Papillon, or The Shawshank Redemption. For an action comedy that makes better use of Jackie Chan, try Who Am I?, Project A, Police Story, or Rumble in the Bronx.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099812/). I give it a 5.5 for an unfocused plot and poor use of its cast’s talents.

Today’s quick review: Clan of the White Lotus. As revenge for killing his brother, White Lotus (Lo Lieh), the chief of the Lotus Clan, murders Shaolin martial artist Hu Ah-Biao (King-Chu Lee), forcing Hu’s best friend Hung Wen-Ting (Gordon Liu) and pregnant wife Mei-Hsiao (Kara Wai) to go into hiding. To avenge his friend, Hung begins training on a new martial arts style designed to counter White Lotus’ flawless technique.

Clan of the White Lotus is a martial arts action movie about the aftermath of the confrontation between the Shaolin Temple and Pai Mei. The story follows Hung Wen-Ting as he trains relentlessly to fight White Lotus, experimenting with new styles and risking his life to test them out. Clan of the White Lotus has the same physically intensive stunts as its contemporaries, but its emphasis on quirky techniques gives it a different feel.

Clan of the White Lotus’ fight scenes are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the technical skill on display is impressive, and some of Hung’s fights with White Lotus’ men are sharply choreographed. On the other hand, the movie tends to waste time on group fights where the stakes are poorly defined and the choreography is not as precise. The fights with White Lotus himself are elaborate and flashy but prone to weird gimmicks thanks to his abilities.

Clan of the White Lotus has some of the same appeal as other classic martial arts movies, but it is saddled with some questionable choices regarding the way its story develops and the rules of martial arts it portrays. For the right fan, these quirks will all be part of the fun, but viewers who prefer down-to-earth combat won’t get as much out of it.

For a more grounded martial arts movie starring Gordon Liu, try The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. For a martial arts action comedy about a man learning an unconventional style, try Drunken Master.

[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080905/). I give it a 6.5 for decent action that plays by some odd rules.

Today’s quick review: Kid with the Golden Arm. Yang (Sun Chien) enlists sword master Li Chin Ming (Wei Pai) and government agent Hai Tao (Kuo Chui) to protect a shipment of gold from the Chi Sa Gang. Golden Arm (Lo Mang), the leader of the gang, counters by sending his lieutenants Silver Spear (Lu Feng), Iron Robe (Wang Lung Wei), and Brass Head (Yang Hsiung) to steal the gold by killing the men guarding it.

Kid with the Golden Arm is a martial arts action movie about a gang of killers trying to steal a shipment of gold. Yang must lead his men through poisonous traps, deadly ambushes, and internal dissent to escort the gold to its destination. The wildcard of the film is Hai Tao, a crafty agent who foils Golden Arm’s schemes through his keen mind and drunken style of martial arts.

Kid with the Golden Arm has the makings of a fun movie. The Chi Sa Gang are colorful villains and lay interesting traps for the heroes. Hai Tao makes for a playful protagonist, throwing a wrench in the gang’s carefully laid plans. The fights have a good amount of variety, employing swords, spears, axes, and throwing knives. And while the plot is not especially clever or meaningful, it does set up the action scenes nicely.

However, Kid with the Golden Arm is not as deft with its story as other martial arts movies in the same vein. The movie culls its cast aggressively, causing its world to feel empty by the end. Li Chin Ming is a miss as a character, never accomplishing enough to justify the time spent with him. Finally, the action has the same artificial quality to it as other early martial arts films, but without the flourishes to help compensate.

The result is an enjoyable action flick with some peripheral flaws. Give Kid with the Golden Arm when you are in the mood for classic martial arts action, complete with a large cast of distinct fighters, cleanly choreographed action, and a token plot. The movie does not succeed at everything, but its strengths are enough to carry it. For a martial arts action movie with some of the same cast, try The Five Venoms or Crippled Avengers.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079372/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid action with some weaknesses in terms of character and story.

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.

Today’s quick review: Crippled Avengers. As punishment for minor offenses, Tu Tin-to (Kuan Tai Chen) and his son Chang (Feng Lu) cripple Chen (Philip Kwok) by blinding him, Wei (Meng Lo) by deafening him, Hu (Chien Sun) by cutting off his legs, and Wang (Sheng Chiang) by inflicting brain damage. The four men join forces and undergo rigorous martial arts training to overcome their handicaps and get revenge.

Crippled Avengers is a martial arts action movie about four fighters hunting after the men who crippled them. The movie takes a simple premise and fleshes it out with a large cast and varied fight scenes. Chen, Wei, Hu, and Wang develop specific fighting styles to compensate for their missing faculties, and the fight scenes explore how these styles work in tandem. Strong choreography and a serviceable plot make the movie worth checking out.

Crippled Avengers takes a different appraoch to its action than later martial arts movies. The fight scenes resemble stage choreography more than real fighting, giving the action a graceful but artificial quality. The upshot is that the feats of acrobatics on display are superb. The cast moves like they were born for it, and the camera rarely interrupts them in the middle of a stunt.

The movie also features a solid plot progression that serves to supplement the action. The story is a basic cycle of revenge, but the escalation from the initial injuries to the training sequence to the series of fights against Tu’s men is satisfying. Viewers who are looking for nuanced drama may be disappointed by the one-dimensional conflict, but anyone who’s focused on the action will find that Crippled Avengers caters to its strengths.

For a martial arts action comedy with similar quality, the same director, and an overlapping cast, try The Five Venoms. For another martial arts movie about young fighters seeking revenge, try Martial Arts of Shaolin. For a more stylized American martial arts movie about a man who fights using prosthetics, try The Man with the Iron Fists.

[7.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077292/). I give it a 7.0 for impressive stunts and a thin but adequate plot.

Today’s quick review: Legend of the Red Dragon. Seven years after their village was massacred for defying the Emperor, Kwun (Jet Li) travels with his son Ting (Miu Tse), practicing martial arts along the way. While working as a bodyguard, Kwun confronts a con artist (Chingmy Yau) and her mother (Deannie Ip). But the enemies become allies when the traitor Ying Lee (Chunhua Ji) comes looking for a map to a Shaolin treasure for the government.

Legend of the Red Dragon is a martial arts action movie starring Jet Li. The story follows the adventures of a father-son duo who are in hiding from the Imperial Chinese government. What follows is an eclectic mixture father-son bonding, childhood bullying, low-grade criminal antics, resistance to an oppressive government, and fantasy-tinged martial arts. Legend of the Red Dragon has its moments but it is much more uneven than similar films.

Legend of the Red Dragon has plenty of action, but it is less focused than other martial arts movies. The individual fights include one-on-one fights between Kwun and the con artist, contests between Ting and his bullies, brawls with Imperial troops, and fantasy-laden fights with the supernaturally augmented Ying Lee. The stunts are creative and executed well, but the fantasy elements are haphazardly chosen, resulting in some odd conflicts.

The story suffers from a similar lack of focus, chasing tangents that have only a partial connection to the main plot. The premise—a father and son on the run from soldiers and forced to take odd jobs to survive—is a promising one, but the drops it quickly as first the con artist duo and then Ying Lee show up to disrupt the plot. Likewise, Ting’s conflicts with the local children and a plot point about hidden Shaolin treasure never quite fit.

Legend of the Red Dragon is a fairly entertaining watch for fans of the martial arts genre, but both its action and its story are uneven. Those willing to go along for the ride will enjoy the quality of its stunts and the creativity it shows. However, the movie finds itself outclassed by other martial arts films that are more cohesive.

For a more grounded martial arts drama starring Jet Li, try Fearless. For a martial arts action movie that makes better use of the fantastic, check out Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Hero. For a ridiculous martial arts comedy that parodies the quirks of the genre, try Kung Pow: Enter the Fist. For a father-son story set in Prohibition-era America, check out Road to Perdition.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110054/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for eclectic action and storytelling.

Today’s quick review: Martial Arts of Shaolin. Lin Zhi-ming (Jet Li), a Shaolin monk in training, runs away to get his revenge on Lord He Suo (Yu Chenghui), the man who killed his parents. Along the way, he meets up with Si-ma Yan (Huang Qiuyan), a young woman also seeking revenge, and her protector Chao Wei (Hu Jianqiang). But when their assassination attempt fails, the three must flee across the country to escape He Suo’s men.

Martial Arts of Shaolin is a martial arts action movie starring Jet Li. Three young fighters become unlikely allies as they run from the lord they failed to assassinate. Martial Arts of Shaolin features flashy action, a serviceable plot, and touches of comedy that offset the serious revenge story at the movie’s core. Although it has its flaws, Martial Arts of Shaolin is a fine pick for fans of the martial arts genre.

Appropriately enough, the main appeal of Martial Arts of Shaolin lies with its fight scenes. The movie takes a broad approach to its action, with big fights involving dozens of combatants and a variety of weapons. While the fights lack the immediacy and tension of the one-on-one duels seen in other martial arts movies, Martial Arts of Shaolin compensates with large-scale action, flashy stunts, and a final fight that lets its stars show off.

The story is basic but enjoyable. The three heroes get to know one another as they travel together, avoid He Suo’s soldiers, and try to return Si-ma to her home. None of the characters are particularly deep, but they have enough foibles to make them human. Their interactions are enough to fill out the story and give some meaning to the fighting.

Martial Arts of Shaolin fits in comfortably with the other solid hits of the martial arts genre. Neither its story nor its action are exemplary, but they are both interesting enough to entertain. Critical viewers will do better with a more robust martial arts drama, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Ip Man. But those who are looking for well-choreographed action should give Martial Arts of Shaolin a try.

For an adventure with a similar story but a different flavor of action, try Hidden Fortress. For another movie about the travails of martial arts students in a historical setting, try Sword Masters: Two Champions of Shaolin. For a more fanciful martial arts movie with similar appeal, check out The Five Venoms.

[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091607/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good fundamentals.

Today’s quick review: Once Upon a Time in China. During the Westernization of China, Master Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) runs a martial arts school that trains soldiers for the Chinese militia. His disciples earn the wrath of the governor (Wong Chi-yeung) when they defend Leung Foon (Yuen Biao) from a local gang. Taking the blame for the damage his students caused, Wong must find and defeat the leader of the gang (Yau Kin-kwok) to clear his name.

Once Upon a Time in China is a historical martial arts action movie starring Jet Li. The movie follows a martial arts master and Chinese patriot as he tries to keep his school afloat in a city ruled by foreign interests. Facing damage to his reputation, false accusations of conspiracy, and a slew of dangerous opponents, Wong must fight for his school and his principles. Great action and a decent setup are hurt by slow pacing and rough characters.

The great strength of Once Upon a Time in China is Jet Li, along with the character he plays. Master Wong is a sober, responsible man with high ideals and an unmatched talent for fighting. Seeing him cope with the burdens placed on him is satisfying, and the movie does a good job of keeping him at a disadvantage. The action scenes are also impressive, with skillful stunt work and creative choreography involving guns, ladders, and more.

The trouble is that Once Upon a Time in China does not play to its strengths. The early stages of the plot wander aimlessly, shifting focus repeatedly until the stage is finally set for Master Wong. The movie also indulges in too much comic relief for a film that is ultimately a drama. Characters like traveling actor Leung Foon and Wong’s apprentice Porky Wing (Kent Cheng) hog the spotlight, and their antics have dire consequences.

The outcome is a martial arts movie that has a lot going for it once it finds its rhythm, but which suffers from issues with its tone and pacing. Fans of the genre who are willing to put up with an awkward start should give Once Upon a Time in China a shot; the fight scenes alone make it worth checking out. But depending on your taste in storytelling and comic relief, the action will come with a cost.

For a more serious historical martial arts movie with similar themes, check out Ip Man 2. For another one starring Jet Li, try Fearless. For a martial arts comedy with a similar plot, try The Legend of Drunken Master.

[7.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103285/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for strong action, a meandering plot, and weak comic relief.

Today’s quick review: Once Upon a Crime. Julian (Richard Lewis) and Phoebe (Sean Young), two Americans living in Europe, end up on the lam when they stumble on a murdered body in Monte Carlo. Meanwhile, Neil (Jim Belushi) and Marilyn (Cybill Shepherd), an American couple, get involved with Augie Morosco (John Candy), a compulsive gambler, making them the other suspects in Inspector Bonnard’s (Giancarlo Giannini) investigation of the murder.

Once Upon a Crime is a crime comedy about five Americans who are wrongfully accused of murdering a wealthy old woman in Monte Carlo. Through a series of accidents, the Americans end up as prime suspects, and their attempts to avoid the blame only make them look more suspicious. Once Upon a Crime features chaotic situations and over-the-top characters, but its miscalibrated humor ends up being more blunt than funny.

Once Upon a Crime’s problems begin with its characters. The Americans are high-strung and exaggerated, coming with pre-packaged foibles for the movie to exploit. Unfortunately, the gimmicks the movie chooses are not very enticing. Julian, Neil, and Augie are loud and abrasive, and they earn none of the sympathy needed to make their antics work. Phoebe and Marilyn fare better, but their more understated characters are drowned out by the men.

Once Upon a Crime has better luck with its plot, although it still misplays its hand. The movie has a workable premise, and by the end it settles into a nice whodunit, complete with flying accusations and ludicrous plot twists. But Once Upon a Crime takes way too long to get there, instead wallowing in subplots that have no bearing on the investigation. The result is an unfocused story that cannot make up for the movie’s comedic missteps.

Once Upon a Crime earns a few laughs around the edges, but its boorish characters and rambling plot are a steep price to pay. Fans of John Candy and Jim Belushi will get the most out of the movie, and anyone who doesn’t mind the characters’ quirks will gets something out of the madcap story. But as it stands, Once Upon a Crime is at best hit-or-miss and at worst outclassed by its competition. Most viewers should approach with caution.

For a more focused crime comedy about an American couple vacationing in Europe who are suspected of murder, try Murder Mystery. For a comedy with a similar sense of humor and similar flaws, try The Out-of-Towners, starring Steve Martin. For a better-calibrated comedy that takes place in Monte Carlo, try Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

[5.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101625/). I give it a 5.5 for a promising setup and cast with flawed execution.