DVD Synopsis: Superstar Jackie Chan action directs this kung fu classic, starring Lady Kung Fu herself, Angela Mao Ying. The Long Braid Mantis King is out to destroy the Beggar Clan once and for all. It's up to the Beggar Queen to stop the kung fu holocaust from happening! Jackie Chan was at the top of his game when he took on this epic project. Top flight hand techniques and skills are the trademark of this classic. Do not miss this!! (90 Mins)

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Views: After opening with a display of kung-fu from the wonderful Angela Mao Ying in an obligatory red-room sequence, we find the scruffy looking orphan-boy (yes, she is playing a boy here) stumble upon a fight in an old temple. The two fighting men, Hu and Madman, are kung-fu masters who meet for a duel every 5 years – and always end in a draw. After a friend is killed by some fighters of the evil Bird Gang, Ying convinces the two bumbling masters to teach her some new styles so that she can take revenge. They eventually agree and teach her the 5 Forms Technique, along with a new one called the Dance Style. Once brought together, Mao Ying will have perfected the moves needed to defeat her enemies!

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I first saw (and bought) Dance Of Death way back in 2003 on a trip to New York. I remember it being quite enjoyable back then, but I don't think I've ever watched it again until now – and I have to wonder why. It's still such a fun film, bursting with the same style of mad-cap kung-fu comedy as Jackie Chan's classic Spiritual Kung-Fu, Drunken Master, and Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu, from just a couple years before. Saying that, I find it is very similar in tone to Fearless Hyena which was shot the same year, but I'm not too sure what came first. Of course, the two major reasons behind this would be that Jackie Chan himself was behind the fight choreography (more on that in a bit), brought in by his close friend and director Chen Chi Hwa who had already directed the martial-arts-legend in the likes of Lo Wei's Shaolin Wooden Men, Snake And Crane Arts Of Shaolin, and the aforementioned Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu. Jackie had already lent his services to Chen in helping choreograph some of the action in 36 Crazy Fists, but in Dance Of Death, it seems he was a bit more hands-on overall. As the tables turned for both directors, it would be Chen Chi Hwa who would go on to work for Jackie soon after, working as a co-director on many of his biggest hits such as Young Master, Police Story 1 & 2, Project A 2, Miracles, Drunken Master 2, and Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor – where he also cameoed as the weedy little adventurer who had been forced to marry the native in the films opening scenes...

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Aside from some great kung-fu and funny comedy – typical of its time – Dance Of Death boasts a great cast with the always incredible Angela Mao Ying in the lead. Although playing a male role, her beauty and feminine characteristics shine through which makes you forget about the gender swap after a while. Of course, that all comes secondary when you see Mao Ying in action as she delivers a host of incredible moves, great forms, and impressive acrobatics. I can honestly say I probably haven't seen the femme-fatale move quite as well in any other production. Jackie's choreography makes it feel like the man himself is in the role (or at least, could easily have been), as he puts Mao Ying through her paces and no doubt demanded the best of what she could possibly do on a physical level. Prolific actor Paul Chun Pui, brother to superstars David Chiang and Derek Yee, stars as Ku Cheng Yuan – Ying's new friend who gets killed by the Bird Clan and the reason for her seeking revenge. I've always enjoyed seeing Paul on-screen in films such as Peking Opera Blues, Legend Of The Owl, The Adventurers, and many more as well as his stint in Chen's very own 36 Crazy Fists. The ever-energetic Dean Shek reprises his typical role of wacky assistant to the big villain, complete with wiry moustache, cheeky looks, and slapstick kung-fu. Although he has starred in many classics as this character, I never tire of seeing him and always enjoy his silliness.

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Angela's masters are played by two of the odder actors from this era with the first being Hsu Pu Liao, the crazy character actor from Fantasy Mission Force. Known as the Chinese Chaplin, Hsu managed to star in over 60 films in only 10 years, before passing away at 34 due to alcohol-induced hepatitis and, ultimately, heart failure. While his kung-fu was never anything to write home about, Hsu won fans with his crazed comedy characters and was usually fun to watch. Her second master is played by Wang Tai Lang, a familiar face that starred in films such as One Armed Boxer Vs. The Flying Guillotine, Secret Of The Shaolin Poles, Militant Eagle, and played one of the ghosts in Jackie's own Spiritual Kung-Fu. Apart from a cameo the following year, Dance Of Death would prove to be his last major role. While other popular faces appear through-out, including a cameo from the director himself, the last major actor I'd like to mention is Chia Kai who plays the main villain of the film, Mu Fa Shan. Although only working over the course of a decade from the mid 70s to the mid 80s, Kai starred in many classics such as 10 Brothers Of Shaolin, Kung Fu Of Seven Steps, Mars Villa and Mantis Under Falcon Claws – of which he was also the action-director for. While most of his moves are saved for the awesome closing battle, he was definitely a great addition to the cast!

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Behind the camera, and fresh off his success from Snake In The Eagles Shadow and Drunken Master, Jackie Chan was brought in as the fight-director for Dance Of Death – and it shows. Joining him is Peng Kang, an actor and choreographer that had worked with the star on Spiritual Kung-Fu, Half A Loaf Of Kung-Fu, Fearless Hyena, and Dragon Fist. Beyond that, Peng got in on titles such as Snake Deadly Act, Ninja In The Dragons Den, Matching Escort, and A Life Of Ninja. Between them, the duo pack Dance Of Death with some fantastic fight scenes while allowing Angela Mao Ying to display some of her best moves ever, with the choreography presenting her as the female Jackie Chan of which she pulls-off perfectly. From fights in the village to extensive and highly impressive finale, I can only imagine how much more of a hit this film would have been had Jackie himself been in the role. While Dance Of Death may not offer fans anything fresh in regards to its story – something very typical of this era – Chen Chi Hwa makes sure the focus is on the fights, something of which is brings plenty of. The comedy isn't as daft as a lot of other titles from this period and does offer a few chuckles through-out, and I must admit it was refreshing to see Mao Ying in such a role. I only wish she had had the chance to do more like this, as well as had been directed by Jackie a bit more often when it came to the action. Although it is often missed on peoples lists of kung-fu favourites, Dance Of Death may not be perfect, but it certainly entertains on many levels – especially with its fight scenes. Now if someone like 88 Films would give us a cleaned-up restoration of the film in its original language, I'm sure it would gain a lot of new fans and let the world see just how amazing Angela Mao Ying really was, in 4K...

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Overall: Fast paced, with a great cast and fantastic kung-fu fights, Dance Of Death is well worth the watch and one of Mao Ying's finest hours!

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DVD Extras: Trailers, Bonus Fights, Fighting Technique Demonstration, Music Video