Video Synopsis: The Bronze Girls of Shaolin are trained in all aspects of Shaolin Kung-Fu and are forced to fight for revenge. Nowhere else has shown women in such vicious and terrifying combat. Right to the very end, their combined force make them beautiful but deadly fighting machines. (89 Mins)

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Ground Zero/Black Belt Theatre DVD Synopsis: Bold, bad, bronze and beautiful, the 18 bronzegirls of shaolin uphold the law and order within the confines of the Temple until a wicked Manchu warlord, Chi Kung in an effort to get the secret training manual of shaolin, goes on a murderous rampage. Ming patriot Yuen Fong teams up with the bronegirls in a display of tiger claw and sun and moon kung fu in this action bronzefest!! (89 Mins)

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Views: I first bought 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin on VHS around 1990 when I was just starting my kung-fu video collection. I hadn't yet seen the infamous 18 Bronzemen films, but this seemed intriguing enough for me to pick it up, and I'm glad I did. Back then I found it very entertaining, and I guess today it still is, but for many different reasons. Evil monks, invading government officials, and kung fu grannies fill the plot of this kung fu comedy with no real story to talk about. But with its crazy amount of bizarre characters, silly antics, ridiculous dubbing, stupid situations, giant killer flowers, daft storyline, and obvious doubling of the titular Bronzegirls with stuntmen, I have come to the conclusion that director Lai Yeh Chien quite clearly set out to make a satire of the classic Bronzemen movies - something, I feel, he most certainly succeeded in doing. There's no way this film can be taken seriously. From its opening scenes with the Bronzegirls introduction that sees them diving head-first into a giant bell, to the ludicrous cross-dressing grannies and nutty characters dodging giant flowers that try to kill them, 18 Bronzegirls of Shaolin just keeps on giving in regards to pure entertainment!

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Although dated as a 1983 production, I have a feeling the film was shelved for a few years before getting a release. And while far from being in the same league as either Jackie Chan or Sammo Hung's films of the same time, 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin still gives us plenty of lengthy and well-choreographed fights to enjoy. The last 30 minutes alone are pretty much non-stop and include Shaw Brothers star Yuen Hua who arrives at the closing of the film for a fun end battle that sees him suffer a hilarious OTT death blow, that ends his cameo within minutes. But it's so worth it! Martial arts director Chow Tai Sheng is the man behind the action, as well as taking up a small role also. The actor and fight choreographer has starred in over 50 films since the early 70s, including classics such as One-Armed Boxer, 10 Fingers Of Steel, 18 Shaolin Disciples, Fatal Flying Guillotines, and The Green Jade Statuette. His work as a choreographer was less though, only working on 6 or 7 films including Sunset In The Forbidden City, The Death Player, and Fatal Love. I must also mention that Chou directed a handful of his own films, from 1988's Love No Exit to Lady From Palace in 1994 – but I've yet to see any of his work with him at the helm...

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One thing I really enjoy about 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin is the cast, all of whom seem to be having a great time. Although the aforementioned cameo by Shaw Brothers star Yuen Hua gets credited as a lead, it's actually the wonderful Doris Lung who is the star of the piece. I've always enjoyed seeing Lung Chun Erh on screen, showing up in kung fu classics such as The Prodigal Boxer, Shaolin Wooden Men, Secret Of The Shaolin Poles, The 8 Masters, Flash Legs, Everlasting Chivalry, and the hilarious Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu alongside Jackie Chan once again. This film is actually very similar in vein to the latter, which gives the actress a chance to show of her comedy talents as well as deliver some great kung fu along the way. Lung is joined by the great Kam Kong, her Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu co-star – although they have shared the screen a number of times over the years. Kong dons the robe for another role as the Chief Monk of Shaolin and, as per usual, gets to throw some shapes along the way. The little know Tung Fang Yu stars as the hero swordsman, while prolific Taiwanese actor Li Ying (who starred in over 170 films) appears as one of the abbots of the temple. Popular actress Wu Yen almost steals the show with her performance, and the rest of the cast is filled out with a host of highly recognisable faces and kung fu actors such as Liu You Pin, Ko Chang Sheng, Chen Bao Liang, Wu Te Shan, and Chen Chin Hai – many of whom appeared in countless Shaw Brothers and early Golden Harvest titles.

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While it will never go down as a classic and is constantly ridiculed for its low-budget flaws, 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin is a film that I will happily return to every so often because it makes me laugh. It may not be perfect, but it entertains me and that's all I need. In fact, if this ever got re-released on Blu-ray, restored in glorious widescreen and its original language – I'd be the first to purchase!

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Overall: Far from ever being a classic, 18 Bronzegirls is wonderfully entertaining with some fun fights and plenty of laughs!