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Xin bi xue jian (1993)
Swordsman Movie Classic
Made in the same year as his other swordsman style move classic Deadful Melody, Yuen Biao stars in this impressive seminal classic.
Directed very differently by Cheung Hoi-Ching, Yuen Biao plays a chief constable on the tail of the mysterious Golden Snake Man who also appears to be a killer, (played very impressively by Danny Lee).
Unlike most one-dimensional 'bad guys' who are in most movies, director Cheung Hoi-Ching masterfully weaves a complicated back-story of the Golden Snake Man's (Danny Lee) past. While Danny Lee's immaculate playing gives his character a three-dimensional shape.
Also, director Cheung Hoi-Ching surrounds Yuen Biao with a dynamic cast filled with wonderfully varied characters played brilliantly by the cast (which includes Ng Man-Tat, Anita Mui and the impressive Man Cheung). The two love stories between the two main protagonists (Yuen Biao and Danny Lee) are both diverse and complicated.
Although some people have complained that the story-line is too difficult to follow, this is probably because the current flow of films are very brainless (unfortunately) so nowadays most people complain when an movie which appeals to a person of an IQ of over 5 comes out.
Although made in the same year as the wonderful Deadful Melody, these two swordsman style movies are very different. This movie contains a haunting soundtrack, immaculate performances from the whole cast. The direction and the cinematography itself is nothing short of wonderful.
What director Cheung Hoi-Ching does so masterfully is surround himself with all of the above with a beautiful site at the end. And unlike most swordsman movies, Sword Stained with Royal Blood has a huge diverse universe of characters all with a back story, with an intelligent storyline and a bitter-sweet denouement with the love story between Yuen Biao and Man Cheung.
The Sword Stained with Royal Blood is an uncommon piece of swordsman style move. Assured, intelligent, patient, meditative and different.
Shen tou yan zi Li San (1996)
An unseen classic of cinema
Something that makes me angry is that when a movie comes out. Which is so beautiful that everyone should see. However no-one goes to see it, but then a movie comes out a few years later, wins worldwide praise despite ripping of the other movie and wins a host of awards without acknowledging the other movie at all.
The over-rated Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon ripped of this classic movie. If you're a fan of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon then you will love this movie.
Sang Sui directs the flawless masterpiece of cinema. Sang Siu highlights issues such as the gap between the rich and the poor and the injustice caused by corruption to the poor beautifully.
Yuen Biao stars as Li San (who at night is the Swallow Hero, a sort of Robin Hood). Despite helping the poor, he yearns to find his loved one who was cruelly raped and put in a brothel.
Yuen Biao, who was born for this movie, gives such a diverse performance filled with anger, love, sadness, and even sometimes happiness. It's really incredible that to this day Yuen Biao has not received one Best Actor nomination from the Hong Kong Film Awards and even the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. This really is a terrible indictment on both these awards. Also, Athene Chu, who plays his loved one, gives a beautiful performance filled with yearning, who also deserved at least a Best Actress nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The whole cast is wonderful and complement Yuen Biao and Athene Chu beautifully.
Wu Kam choreographs the fight scenes with such elegance that Yuen Biao seems fight like a twenty year old. Wu Kam also not only brings out the very best of every fighter but also emphasis beauty in the fight scenes. Some of the fight scenes that Wu Kam directs were ripped of by Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Sang Siu, includes some wonderful wireworks as Yuen Biao flies, walks over walls and exhilarates. The wireworks in this movie had been directly ripped of by Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
The soundtrack is really wonderful too with the use of traditional Chinese instruments. Also, as this film was filmed in mainland China, the cinematography is beautiful, it really is wonderful and brings out the best of rural China.
Sang Siu and Wu Kam will go very far on the evidence of this. Sometimes a person lives and dies without seeing unseen masterpieces. This is one of them. If you ever get to see just one film throughout your whole life, the make it your objective to see The Hero of Swallow. Ripped of by Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, this is a masterpiece that comes only once a generation, if even that.
One of the things I like about Yuen Biao is that his movies are not bounded by the Hollywood conventional happy ending. This movie has a deeply sad but poetic and beautiful ending. The way Yuen Biao acts at the end will probably never be bettered. I dare you not to cry at the end of this beautiful and emotional movie.
Hong qiang dao ying (2000)
A really poor non-Yuen Biao movie
On Yuen Biao's exceptional filmography where virtually every film on it is a classic in it's own right this is a huge disappointment.
Firstly, this isn't really a Yuen Biao movie (thank goodness), despite being listed first in the credits under the name of Yuen Bill. Yuen Biao is in this movie for about a total of only 30 minutes.
The problem with this film is virtually everything. Firstly the plot is appalling. Even `gweilo in exile' Bey Logan would have a problem writing a script as bad as this. The major problem is that it really doesn't make sense. The plot lumbers from one illogical step to another. It is a travesty. It really is.
Also, the soundtrack, which can make or break a movie, is annoyingly repetitive. Go and watch other Yuen Biao classics such as The Iceman Cometh and Mr Vampire 2 and just see how brilliant their soundtracks are and wholly complement the actual movie. Here the music must have been composed by a toddler.
The direction by Philip Ko is terrible. Although, he does show some very few glimpses of talent throughout. The acting by the main actor is terrible (he can't fight as well, despite being handed most of the fights in the movie). However Yuen Biao is flawless as always. The fights in this movie are so badly choreographed a baby could have choreographed them better. Saying that Yuen Biao is so talented, when he fights, he actually makes the choreography look good.
The end fight really is shockingly short (about a minute). And it doesn't help the fight is 3 on 1 (3 god guys, one bad guy). The bad guy, Chin Siu Ho, who was in the fantastic Fist of Legend, gets only like a minute throughout the whole movie to show his talent and even then at the end he is lumbered with terrible choreography. The only film that could have saved this movie would have been to let Yuen Biao and Chin Sui Ho fight at the end one-on-one but it wasn't to be.
All in all, this is not really a Yuen Biao movie (thank goodness). Everything really does smack of badness. But I guess the laws of averages must mean that even Yuen Biao has to have a bad movie somewhere on his filmography. Here's a tip for you. Disregard this as a Yuen Biao movie (as he is only in it for less than 30 minutes) and just watch his other movies to show yourself how great Yuen Biao really is.
Mou mian bei (1995)
A superb movie which concentrates on fun
After a period of 6 years. Sammo Hung teamed up with Yuen Biao to produce this movie which can only be described as a supremely fun movie.
Don't Give a Damn deliberately focuses on trying to make the viewer enjoy the movie rather than try to add to the masterpieces which already exist on both Yuen Biao's and Sammo Hung's filmographies.
If you can accept that fact. Then this is a brilliant movie. Sammo Hung puts in a likeable performance while the whole cast backs up wonderfully (although it does help that there is a beautiful actress in the cast!). While Yuen Biao gives a wonderful comedic performance which will make you laugh.
The fight scenes are fantastically choreographed by Sammo himself. Especially the fight between him and Yuen Biao are a highlight.
The direction, by Sammo as well, is well accomplished. Including a blink and you'll miss a Chin Siu Ho cameo, just expect fun and you'll love this movie.
Luk chi kam moh (1994)
An under-rated swordsman movie classic
Deadful Melody is a classic movie unfairly criticised by hardcore swordsman movie fans.
I won't reveal the plot details as to ruin your enjoyment, But I must tell you this is a brilliant movie. Much better than say, Swordsman and Fong Sai Yuk. The story brilliantly balances moments of drama, comedy, action and romance.
Brigitte Lin stars with Yuen Biao complemented by a cast of Hong Kong stars such as Carina Lau (in her only swordsman style movie role) and Wu Ma.
Brigitte Lin is wonderful as the sensual lyre playing master. While Yuen Biao is fantastic as the security guard sent out to deliver the magic lyre. The biggest surprise is Carina Lau who is supremely dynamic and manages to even outshine the likes of Wu Ma who is also brilliant.
The direction is also flawless. The magical effects are exhilarating, especially for a Hong Kong movie. The cinematography is fantastic and the storyline is really good.
The test for any movie is it's soundtrack, and I'm pleased to say the soundtrack in this movie is exhilarating. Especially the lyre pieces which are beautiful and haunting.
What can I say? All I can say, is see this underrated masterpiece and enjoy watching this, with fantastic performances all around, brilliant cinematography, an exhilarating soundtrack, flawless direction and a bitter-sweet denouement between the relationship between Yuen Biao and Carina Lau. What more could you want?
Gui jiao qi (1993)
One's of Yuen Biao's really good movies
Directed by Wu Ma, who had previously directed Yuen Biao in the ghost story classic Portrait of a Nymph in 1988, this film focuses on the students of the Wong Fei Hong legend.
Yuen Biao, who starred in Once Upon a Time in China, then found that most of scenes had been cut out, made this seminal classic in which he teamed up again with Wu Ma to star in his own take of the Wong Fei Hong legend. Although Wu Ma rather wisely focuses on the students of Wong Fei Hong rather than the Wong Fei Hong himself as the Once Upon a Time in China series had done.
Also starring is Wu Ma himself and the fantastic Yuen Wah (this would be the last film where he and Yuen Biao would fight. Although they were in Hero (1997) they didn't fight in that movie) who is great as the opium smuggling chief.
Yuen Biao plays Lau Zhai, a student of Wong Fei Hong (but not inducted formally yet), who has a unfairly bad reputation thorough the community who gets framed for smuggling opium.
Yuen Biao shows some incredible footwork and so does Yuen Wah. Their end fight at the end is a great highlight of the movie.
Although the first part of the movie is pretty slow, as Wu Ma tries to establish the characters and the storyline, it picks up in the second half where the movie is fantastic.
Backed by a great supporting cast, in which virtually all of them would team up again to star with Yuen Biao, a year later to star in the Wu Ma directed Circus Kid. Yuen Biao gives a refreshingly diverse performance which ranges from playfulness, sorrow, anger, love and so much that I could go on for ever.
The choreography of this film is fantastic, letting both Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah shine. Wu Ma, directs with some lovely sweeping camera angles. The production values are very high too. Wu Ma must be given credit for focusing on a number of characters rather than one.
This movie is a fantastic movie. However this movie doesn't have that certain sparkle most Yuen Biao movies have. Despite that this movie should be seen by any fan of the Hong Kong martial arts movie genre.
Dong on X: Sat yan fan (1997)
An all-time classic.
After reading a disparaging review of Hunted Hunter. I was prepared to deal with the fact, this could be the first Yuen Biao movie which was actually very bad. I'm glad to say that the reviewer was totally wrong (and must have been an idiot).
After an 11 year gap Yuen Biao teamed up again with director Ricky Lau (who directed Yuen Biao in the all-time classic Mr Vampire 2). The storyline is about a security guard (stationed by a Hong Kong company in the Philippines) who is framed for the death of a woman. After receiving the death penalty in the Philippines, Yuen Biao manages to escape.
This film is incredible. First of all Yuen Bun (who choreographed the poor Jet Li vehicle Once Upon a Time in China 3) does a terrific job with the martial arts choreography. Although 2 of the fight scenes are in slow motion, it emphasises Yuen Biao's wonderful fighting skills. Yuen Bun choreographs the fighting in the vein of Yuen Biao's all time classic film Righting Wrongs. The fighting is realistic and savage and extremely brilliant. In fact, Yuen Bun was very unlucky, in my eyes not to be nominated for a Hong Kong film award for the Action Direction.
However the film is nearly ruined by two Phillipino actors who wouldn't be allowed even on the set of Sunset Beach. Also the fighting skill of one of the Phillipino actors is so bad, so stilted and so slow is was very painful.
Thankfully, this turned out to be a minor quibble. First of, the film is filmed in an X-Files style of camera work. This is brilliant for this kind of film and hooks you until the end of the film. The lighting is sometimes very dark, very appropriate too for this seminal masterpiece.
Director Ricky Lau gives an immaculate, flawless direction (just like in Mr Vampire 2) which surely makes him one of the most talented directors in not just Hong Kong but in the world. Ricky Lau draws immaculate, flawless performances from the cast, especially Yuen Biao who can so subtly give of his feelings without saying a word. The rest of the cast, apart from the appalling two Phillipino actors, are flawless. Much praise must go to Jessica Hester, (who plays Yuen Biao's wife, who despite believing him, thinks of divorcing him) who not only is so beautiful, but is a fantastic actress as well. In fact the scene where Jessica Hester's character visits Yuen Biao in prison and gives him a burger, and while he eats the burger she shouts at him saying he doesn't respect her and then notices that he has a chain with their wedding ring on it is an all-time classic.
All in all, this film really is an all-time classic, with flawless direction from Ricky Lau, breathtaking action direction from master choreographer Yuen Bun, two wonderful performances from Yuen Biao and the beautiful Jessica Hester and wonderful support from the supporting cast (apart from the two Phillipino actors). This is a must-see film. An all-time classic. This could be the last classic film (probably not though!) from Yuen Biao so it's a must.
Ma hei siu chi (1994)
Head and shoulders better than other martial arts movies
Despite the fact that Circus Kid is probably the weakest film in Yuen Biao's absolutely brilliant filmography, this means that due to Yuen Biao's ridiculously brilliant high standards, this is still head and shoulders head of other martial arts films.
Directed by Wu Ma, who one year earlier directed Yuen Biao in the all-tome classic Kickboxer, makes the best of a relatively poor script written by `gweilo in exile' Bey Logan. This film also stars Donnie Yen, who thankfully has few scenes in this film as his acting is stilted to say the least, although he stars in some fantastic fight scenes.
The film focuses on a circus troupe who are bombed out by the Japanese (this film is set in the second world war). The troupe is headed by Wu Ma (who also directs), and features Yuen Biao as his apprentice. The troupe travel to Beijing and one of them gets a job in a factory, unknown to them, which sell opium. Donnie Yen plays a policeman.
This film has a pretty poor script, thanks to Bey Logan, who also fights Donnie Yen. Bey Logan is terrible and very slow against the very fast Donnie Yen. Some of the twists the plot takes are illogical and takes Yuen Biao, and all his might to redeem this feature in some pretty spectacular fight scenes.
Circus Kid also stars Lili Li, who makes a welcome comeback after Sang Kun's daughter in Young Master who fights Jackie Chan. (A piece of interesting trivia is that Yuen Biao played her brother in Young Master).
Despite being probably the weakest film on Yuen Biao's incredible filmography, it has some fantastic fight scenes, a fantastic performance by Yuen Biao (do you expect anything else?), competent enough direction by Wu Ma, and is head and shoulders better than other martial arts movies. So if you get the chance, don't miss it.
Huo tou fu xing (1992)
An underrated social comedy classic.
I bought this film fearing quite a bit. After all, despite having Yuen Biao, the greatest Hong Kong actor/martial artist ever, could he really star in a film with no martial arts scenes at all? (not even one kick). Well how wrong could I be?! One thing I must mention though is an absolutely incredible stunt Yuen Biao does at the beginning of the movie. It has to be seen to be believed.
Director Ronnie Yu (a brilliant Capra-esque director, also one of the best directors in the world, but largely underrated), who directed this before directing the acclaimed The Bride with White Hair, delivered here a highly enjoyable, moving, highly underrated gem which has been virtually all but forgotten. Yuen Biao is credited as the starring role, despite the film focusing more on Leon Lai. Ng Man-Tat is the kind-hearted owner of an apartment and restaurant in a poor deprived area of Hong Kong. Yuen Biao plays his uncle (also a cook) and Leon Lai a rich kid who runs away and finds the family atmosphere of the neighbourhood much more appealing.
Director Ronnie Yu directs this film Capra-esque. Highlighting important issues such as the importance of family over money gently. Ronnie Yu also draws incredible performances from the cast especially Yuen Biao and Ng Man-Tat. However one minor quibble of the movie is that the third section of the movie suffers due to Yuen Biao's absence. Despite the fact he turns up about 5 minutes from the end. He is actually absent again at the end of the movie which was very disappointed but to be fair the end credits focus on Yuen Biao's character.
This film was released, in Hong Kong, at the start of 1993. Where the Hong Kong public watch 'New Year' movies highlighting mostly Chinese New Year etc. Since the film's storyline is about cooking, it immediately appealed to the Hong Kong public and deservedly so.
In a day and age of high tech and big budget movies such as the absolutely awful Pearl Harbour, this film is a breath of fresh air and almost Capra-esque film. This is a wonderful, warm-hearted, touching, gem of a Lunar New Year movie highlighted by the utterly incredible scenes of Yuen Biao preparing meals as only he can.
Boh ngau (1983)
A classic for all the family.
This film is a must for everyone. This film is a wonderful blend of light comedy and the best football (soccer) action ever committed to celluloid. Despite the fact it stars an all-star cast, it has hardly any martial arts in the film (apart from one absolutely hilarious tango-fight scene!).
Yuen Biao stars as a an acrobatic country hick who accidentally injures a wealthy socialite during a hilarious pre-credits competition. After running away, he joins a soccer team who discovers his talents, and subsequently joins the team. Despite the martial arts adept cast, there is no virtually no martial arts in the film. In fact all the action choreography, provided by the fantastic Yuen Woo Ping stunt team, goes on the absolutely exhilarating, jaw dropping, soccer games. Yuen Biao, as usual, provides a wonderful performance while Dick Wei also provides a great portrayal as the arrogant soccer player villain. Moon Lee is also quite brilliant and beautiful as the sister of Yuen Biao's friend.
This is a treat for all the family. Unlike most family films, filled with too much sentimental rubbish with jokes only for the little kids. This film has no profanity, no blood and guts, no sex, yet it is a fantastic underrated classic for all the family. They don't make them like this anymore.
Mong ming yuen yeung (1988)
The best film-noir of all time. Period.
Alfred Cheung Kin-ting directs this feverishly paced crime noir that is one of the finest in the genre. Yuen Biao stars as Lo Huan, a Hong Kong police officer who unfoils a dangerous conspiracy that results in the assassination of his ex-wife. As it turns out, his ex-wife had an ongoing affair with his own corrupt superintendent, and when she learnt of his behind the scenes heroin ring, he simply arranged a hit and had her brushed off. The hired gun, Ah Chui, performs the job with the greatest of ease, but for various reasons, is next on the superiors hit list. Now on the run, Ah Chui accidentally confronts Lo Huan, who eventually sheds his grief and teams up with the woman to take down the corruption in the force. What follows is a high stakes cat and mouse game that leads to a brutally violent conclusion, leaving no one unscathed.
On the Run is perhaps known best for providing Yuen Biao with his finest performance to date. His portrayal as the troubled moralistic cop is dead on, combining both superb restraint and expressive emotions. Ah Biao's female counterpart, Pat Ha, gives a noteworthy acting job, and is completely believable as a cold and calculated hitwoman, only to have human feelings and emotions to get in the way of her career. Also appearing in supporting roles is veteran Taiwanese actor Charlie Chin, who co-stars as the corrupt superintendent, and fellow Peking Opera schoolmate Yuen Wah, who appears as one of his cronies.
Director Cheung doesn't disappont either, and perfectly complements the gloomy theme with dark cinematography which takes place in the black, Hong Kong horizon dimly litted with the traditional glow of neon lights. It is almost impossible to not be absorbed in the mood by the cinematography. The writing also plays a large part in setting the theme. The script is masterfully crafted, moving at lightning pace, providing the viewer with plenty of suspense and surprises to glue the them to the television for the 90 minute duration. All in all, you won't find pretentious, incomprehensible wannabe filmmaking crap in the tradition of Michael Bay, just pure talented directors and writers at full force.
Of course, novices to Hong Kong films will immediately typecast this as standard, martial arts action fare. Well, it's just pure ignorance on their part. Aside from an incredible pole-slide stunt performed by Yuen Biao, all of the action is played straight. The fight finale between Yuen Biao and Charlie Chin's henchmen is nothing but intense brutality and realism at play. Fluid, acrobatic choreography is the last thing you should expect. In the case of On the Run, that is a good thing. Any type of cartoon- like Jackie Chan action will just ruin every theme the film is trying to convey. Thankfully the filmmakers didn't bite to mass appeal just like so many others in this entertainment world today.
Overall, On the Run is a milestone achievement in Hong Kong filmmaking. Multiple viewings is absolutely required for this masterpiece, and of course, I highly recommend this overlooked gem to anybody itching to get out of the Jackie Chan/ John Woo mode.
Drive (1997)
The best martial arts film never to be made in Hong Kong
This is the only American made film in the whole list. Why? because unlike every single other martial arts American movie this film actually seems like it was made in Hong Kong. It is that good. Directed by Chinese-American Steve Wang this film was the first film to use film and fighting techniques later used by such films as The Matrix. The fight choreography is absolutely amazing just like a Hong Kong movie. Credit must go to the brilliant Japanese martial arts choreographer Koichi Sakamoto and his Alpha Stunt team for their ingenuity, Mark Dacascos is amazing in this film and proves that he could cut it in Hong Kong movies if he wanted too. Kadeem Hardison is brilliant as the wise cracking sidekick unwillingly brought into the thick of things by Mark Dacascos. Brittany Murphy is also a revelation here as a (very!) sexually hormone charged teenager. In fact the scenes with her, Kadeem Hardison and Mark Dacascos are probably the funniest in the film, although it is a shame she wasn't in the film for longer.
Also this film is also very very funny at times. And Mark Dacascos even makes Jet Li look a bit slow with his brilliant acrobatic ability. In fact this film is so good that it sweeped countless film awards across the world and even beating Jackie Chan's Drunken Master II to a film award. For a film released in 1994 it is very hard to find. But trust me your patience will pay off when you watch this film. This film deserves to be re-released in the cinemas. It was only a flop because the studio didn't promote it at all! Although it is now regaining cult status for martial arts fans as a fantastic piece of film. This is how modern martial arts movies should be. At the end of this film it will have you crying out "more please!". It is that good. This is a classic no doubt about it.
Gap tung kei hap (1989)
A timeless tale of revenge, honour and forbidden love
Yuen Biao is the most underrated martial artist of his generation. In my opinion his acrobatic skills outdo both Jackie Chan and Jet Lee although for some reason he isn't as highly rated as JC and JL. This film, his finest, is actually a sort of sci fi/fantasy film. He stars as a warrior of the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. He and his adversary are fighting and they both fall of a cliff and are frozen; only to be found in the 20th century by scientists and accidentally unfrozen. This film with it's fantasy plot could have been his worst but with his acting, the fighting and the outrageous comedy with the lovely femme fetale Maggie Cheung this is a modern and all time classic. The things Yuen Biao does in this film show why I rate his acrobatic skills higher than JC and JL. The comedy interplays with violent action with Yuen Wah's performance as a sadistic villain spot on. The script is pretty intelligent and the jokes come thick and fast making fun of the late 1980s seen through the 16th century eyes of Yuen Biao who discovers television, electricity and... toilets. The jokes however aren't as glaringly obvious as Jackie Chan and some (very few) Jet Lee films (as very few Jet Li films are comedic if any); the humour is like an episode of The Simpsons, you have to recognise them but when you do they are really funny and actually very intelligent and heartwarming jokes. Maggie Cheung is absolutely brilliant in surely an Oscar winning role as the hard hearted hooker with a soft inside, she shows here that only she could have played this role perfectly. However Yuen Biao just steals the show from Maggie Cheung with his portrayal of a serious but innocently funny warrior. Also the chemistry between Yuen Biao and Maggie Cheung is absolutely electric, they really do sizzle when they are both on screen together. Also unlike Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung films the humour is played with a straight face throughout and this film is the better for it. A modern classic with some great humour fused with some violent fights and the best acting I have ever seen. The ending also has a wonderful bitter-sweet denouement. One more thing is the soundtrack. It is absolutely wonderful and the best bits are the xylophone and the violin when Yuen Biao messes up some very simple house tasks. Surely this film defined the words "all time classic".