Parade Video UK DVD Synopsis: The story of a young man who learns the art of kung fu from a Shaolin master in order to avenge the death of his father by ruthless gangsters. Fight choreographed/directed by Jackie Chan, 36 Crazy Fists is one of the most action-filled pictures he's ever made, and includes some of the most stunning kung fu fights ever filmed. (90 Mins)

 

Views: After his village is destroyed and his father is killed by Manchurian gangsters for not paying protection money, a vengeful young man heads to a number of schools to learn kung fu. Although he doesn't start off too well, he is persistent, and after getting some help from other students and a mysterious drunken master, Tai Quan learns the skills he needs to avenge his fathers murder...

 

I can totally understand the mixed reviews for The 36 Crazy Fists. While it boasts an impressive cast and the choreography is quite exciting, there does seem to be something missing overall that just stops the film from being the hit it deserves to be. Yes, the story is typically cliched for a late 70's kung fu flick – although if we are to believe the production dates listed, this similarly themed tale beats Jackie's own Drunken Master (1978) by a year, complete with a master beggar who looks extremely like Sam Seed himself – Simon Yuen. But that cliché allows for many fun kung-fu fights which is the main reason we're all here – let's be honest!

 

While far from terrible, this kung-fu comedy boasts an impressive cast as well as having the talents of director Chen Chi Hwa and Jackie Chan behind the camera. Prior to this, Chen Chi Hwa had already directed Jackie in the fun Shaolin Wooden Men (1976) for Lo Wei, then would go on to work together in 1978 with the awesome Snake And Crane Arts Of Shaolin and the hilarious Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu. Interestingly enough, the two film-makers would continue a great working relationship for many years to come with Hwa working as assistant director for Jackie on films such as The Young Master (1980), Police Story (1985) and it's first sequel, and Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor (1991) which would also see him cameo as the weary captive to the natives at the start of the film. Of course, the pair also worked together on Chen's other directorial efforts like The Face Behind The Mask (1977) and Dance Of Death (1979) with Jackie lending his talents again as the fight director, but it's worth noting that Chen Chi Hwa has also delivered a number of very fun titles without the help of his infamous friend. These include films such as The Ape Girl (1979), The Young Taoism Fighter (1984), Kung Fu Kids 2 (1986), Vampire Settle On Police Camp (1990), Retreat Of The Godfather (1991) and Red Pirate (1997) with Ke Huy Quan, among many others.

 

Perhaps a full HD restoration in it's original language would help us see The 36 Crazy Fists true worth, because this film has such an incredible cast that it's a shame it doesn't get the love it deserves! The great Tony Leung Siu Hung leads the way – son of prolific actor and martial-arts director Leung Siu Chung, and brother to the equally talented and wonderful Bruce Leung. Getting his first acting gig in 1972 on the Shaw Brothers classic 14 Amazons, of which his father was choreographing alongside a young Tony Ching Siu Tung – Tony went onto star in over 50 films alongside stars such as Hwang Jang Lee, Sammo Hung, Donnie Yen, Cynthia Rothrock, Andy Lau, and others, from independent studio productions to Shaw Brothers classics and then some. But while he was not as successful in front of the camera as his brother had been, Tony Leung solidified his name as one of Hong Kong's most talented choreographers on almost 100 titles including hits like Monkey Kung Fu (1979), A Fistful Of Talons (1983), Magic Crystal (1986), Iron Angels (1987), In The Line Of Duty 3 (1988), No Retreat No Surrender 3 (1989), King Of The Kickboxers (1990), Ip Man (2008) and so much more. In 1984, Leung made his directional debut at Shaw Brothers with the wildly fun Thunderclap. This would be followed with 8 more features such as the Simon Yam horror movie Insanity, action-horror Vendetta, and underrated action-thriller Guns Of Dragon, both of which starred Ray Lui and all of which were made in 1993. The fantastic Satin Steel (1994) with Jade Leung would follow before Leung made his English language debut with Superfights (1995) starring Keith Vitali and Chuck Jeffreys. He would then head back East for Lying Hero that same year. In 1997 he gave us the brilliant action-thriller Bloodmoon, with Chuck Jeffreys returning and Gary Daniels leading the way, and then Ultimate Fight (2004) which has been his last directed piece to date.

 

Here, Tony does a fantastic job as the avenging Wong Tai Kwong – training, flipping and fighting his way to the top. Throughout his journey, Wong teams up with Shan Ho Kuan; played brilliantly by the equally talented Lau Kar Yung – nephew of the legendary Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing. Busting some great moves and impressing as much as his co-star, Lau does a great job as always and works well alongside Leung. But I didn't expect anything less! I've always enjoyed seeing him on-screen. Making his debut in his uncle's kung-fu comedy, The Spiritual Boxer (1975) Yung went onto star in almost 40 films to date in titles such as Dirty Tiger Crazy Frog (1978), Heroes Of The East (1978), Dragon's Claws (1979), The Gold Hunters (1981), Drunken Master 2 (1994), Drunken Master 3 (1994) and The Grandmaster (2013) among many others. It's also worth noting that Lau Kar Yung is also the director behind one of my favourite Moon Lee titles, New Kids In Town (1990), which also stars his Uncle,Lau Kar Leung. Together, in The 36 Crazy Fists, Lau and Leung work well together and deliver some fun fight scenes under the watchful eye of Jackie Chan...

 

Starring alongside them is a host of great names with the great Yen Shi Kwan playing the big baddie of the piece – a role that was very similar to his character in Jackie Chan's Fearless Hyena that same year. With over 130 films behind him,Yen has appeared in many kung-fu classics and rarely fails to entertain. From Shaw Brothers classics to modern hits like Once Upon A Time In China (1991), Heroic Trio (1993) and Iron Monkey (1993), Yen has long been a fan-fave for many and is just as impressive as the villain of The 36 Crazy Fists. Shaw Brothers legends Ku Feng and Paul Chun also make an appearance as a sifu and monk respectively, while a prolific bunch including Fung Hak On, San Kuai, Lee Man Tai, Chan Lau, and lovely Michelle Yim help flesh things out. The always fun Chiang Cheng – better known to many as Rambo Kong – stars as the drunken monk that helps teach Leung some moves. Although this would be one of his earlier roles, Cheng would return as a drunken monk in the highly entertaining Shaolin Drunk Fighter in 1983. Over the years he has appeared in many classics and in films right through to 2012, but most Western fans will probably recognise him as the crazed kitchen chef in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993). Here, as with everyone else involved, Cheng entertains and looks great in action as always.

 

Truth be told, I like The 36 Crazy Fists! While it'll never appear on anyone's top ten list of favourite kung-fu movies, it is a fun watch and a great showcase for everyone involved in seeing what they have achieved today. Of course, over the years it has been sold as a Jackie Chan movie – which is obviously not the case. Aside from helping to choreograph the fantastic kung-fu action on offer, most versions begin with a couple of minutes of footage featuring a smoking Jackie Chan choreographing behind the scenes. A cheap attempt to sell the film and something that has fooled thousands over the decades, but get over that and you'll enjoy what's on offer here in The 36 Crazy Fists!

 

Overall: Although it's not amazing, The 36 Crazy Fists is still great fun and a solid enough piece that's worth seeing at least once!