The Power Of Aikido (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This film has a slight story about how Aikido came into being. A kind of little family saga mixed with a revenge plot for a leader/husband to get back at the person who has ruined his village/wife lives.
However it is more a vehicle for showing you what a great fighter Sonny Chiba is--although he is not really in the movie for more than about half, his brother is the main star.
All in all it is not bad and the fighting is quite good showing an exciting visciousness that you get with Sonny Chiba.
I loved this film which is now my favorite from Shaw Brothers.
You get just about everything, from imitation Bruce Lee nunchuk action, drunken master, to ninja trickery and illusion.
The story revolves around seven Japanese martial arts masters who arrive in China after being challenged to take on a Chinese martial arts expert (Gordon Liu). The Japanese throw everything and more at him, but I will not spoil it for you by telling you what happens.
The action is brilliantly choreographed and photographed and the humor is wonderful. On a deeper level the movie reflects the two styles. On the one hand the Japanese show a complex mentalist approach: every move carefully executed, every breath a meditation, and every blow a serious ritual in the grand scheme of life. The Chinese show a simple joy of life: quick agility matched with skill, speed and hope. There are no great expectations of success, yet their acheivement leads to far more rejoicing than the perpetual pursuit of perfection of the Japanese.
If you enjoyed "Fist Of Fury", "Game Of Death", and love ninjas like I do, I seriously recommend this movie to you.
A film in many ways copied from "A Fist Of Fury"--in fact many of the cast are the same.
A bitter rivalry develops between Japanese and Korean/Chinese martial arts schools in China. The Japanese are the dominant force and will not accept that there are better schools than their own. Fights break out between the schools after three students from the Japanese school are killed, and revenge is pursued against the Chinese.
What is great about this film is the viciousness of the action. In particular it is the force of each blow, kick or throw that impresses here.
Not only must they be the greatest action moves by a woman in a martial arts movie, but Angela Mao must be the greatest female martial artist. Her moves here are fast, furious and angry.
Not only that but there is Sammo Hung who hits hard and kicks high. Whilst not as agile as the others, he hits the hardest and rips through the opposition.
There are further some great demonstrations of Hapkido by its true masters.
The Magic Blade (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This film contains a few interesting and innovative aspects that lift it above the usual swordplay/martial arts fare.
For a start, the main star of the film carries around with him a sword that looks like a saw. Not only that, but he uses it backhanded with a side handle and is adept at thrusting back and forwards as well as roundhouse. In fact, initially when I first watched the film, it reminded me of an Asian Leatherface from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", and the violence and gore in this film is just as effectively shown as it is in TCM.
There are other interesting elements: a twisty story, and other interesting weapons are on display, such as the "fishing rod" and the extending prod spear.
All in all, a better than average film that you should get if you are into early Shaw Brothers, violent swordplay, and plenty of action.
An early cyber punk effort that looks a little dated now. Nevertheless there is some good imaginative stuff in this movie.
For a start there is interesting and intoxicating use of colour which adds to the atmosphere.
The film is set in some near post nuclear holocaust future and there is a lot of lost or abandoned technology lying about the planet.
One piece is picked up by a professional scavenger who, following his pawning of the find, discovers that he has a found part of a deadly robot killing machine.
The machine reanimates itself and all kinds of horrific deaths follow in the fight for survival against the machine.
If you can imagine the "Terminator" mixed with "Robocop" but done with a very low budget and in the early 80s then you might form an idea of what this movie is like. Although nowhere near as good as those films, it is not bad and has enough wonky characters and weird dress to make it interesting.
The Valiant Ones (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Although not in the same league as the King Hu absolute classics of "Zen And Sword" and "Dragon Gate Inn", this film is a good further choice and has some unique stuff of its own.
It has a very young Sammo Hung playing a bad guy and involved in one of the most vicious sword fights I have seen in a martial arts film at the end of the movie. How did they do that stuff so fast without hurting themselves? It's not just the cut and thrust, it's the speed of this one that makes it look so authentic.
Then there is a young(er) Sam Seed showing some of his great touches.
There are good martial arts sequences and assorted and varied weapons on show and put to exciting and interesting use.
All in all a good movie and one you should get if you are into King Hu.
The Iron Dragon Strikes Back (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure A very standard sort of martial arts actioner--good fight at the beginning, good fight at the end.
Very poor story and pretty wooly, raw and freestyle fighting everywhere else.
Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts A long and drawn out action film involving a dual between wicked turned righteous master swordsman monk and a demon doing away with a clan.
Overall it is not bad but very piece meal and a little obvious.
A visual treat is in store for those who enjoy CGI, special effects and high definition.
The story of the film involves a battle between good and evil in a higher domain. Those without any background in mysticism and meditation may find themselves lost if they expect to understand the plot at a first viewing.
Basically there is a battle going on between the forces of good and evil at all times. However the good powers have things tied up tightly with special guardians to keep the power of evil from conquering and ruling the world.
These special guardians have special unique fighting skills that enable them to guard and fight whatever evil can throw at them.
Evil begins to increase its power and threatens to destroy good. The battle and fight between the two powers is dramatised with the most mindblowingly beautiful colours and special effects I have seen yet in a film.
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