Hoi takes the part of Shao Hai - an eager kung-fu fanatic who spends his time developing his very raw skills and cleaning the local temple. Unfortunately for Shao even the local monks of the temple treat him with some disdain and constantly bully him as he goes about his work. Shao's chance to be appreciated comes when he foils an assassination attempt on visiting Lord Tsoi and becomes a local hero, even to those who once ridiculed him. His bravery means that he is rewarded beyond his wildest dreams and showered with endless gifts by the affluent Lord Tsoi. As time goes by though, Shao begins to realise that Lord Tsoi is not as noble as he seems and is actually a corrupt Manchu lord intent on stopping rebellion. The seriousness of the situation becomes evident when Tsoi kills a Ming patriot who is actually Shao's auntie and the young fighter vows revenge. As Tsoi is a kung-fu master whose skills are unparallelled, this wont be easy so the pint-sized patriot goes to his uncle - a crude, yet highly gifted beggar - to learn the Five Elemental Palm. After mastering this new style, Shao is now ready to face his awesome foe.

After 'Hell's Windstaff' proved a critical and commercial success, this follow-up was quickly put into production with a similar cast and crew. Like its predecessor, 'The Buddha Assassinator' offers little new in terms of storyline or narrative twists. What it does offer though is some top-quality action from a very able set of actors and another classic stand-off between hero and villain. As the hero, Meng Hoi pulls off a series of impressive moves that would wow even the most jaded viewer. Hong Kong screen legend Hwang Jang-Lee also relishes another meaty role as villain Lord Tsoi and he once again proves that, when it comes to cinematic kickers, few could ever match him. The bottom line of the film is simply this: average plot; good direction; sublime fight action; recommended film.

One day, while visiting a local temple, he was ambushed by a group of Ming fighters but was readily assisted by Shiao Hai, a young kung fu enthusiast. Suspecting treachery among his own bodyguards, Lord Tsoi Wo decided to investigate the origins of the "Buddhist Fist" style. In the meantime, he favored Shiao Hai with instruction in all the "Lo Hon" techniques. Shiao Hai was, however, a student of a Ming Buddhist monk who was already teaching him the "Buddhist Fist". After accidentally killing his aunt on behalf of Tsoi Wo, Shiao Hai decided to help the Ming patriots by challenging Tsoi Wo to a duel. The fierce inner power of these two combatants tore right through the heart of China, while each one knew that only one might become the ultimate victor.

Prince Tsoi (Hwang Jang Li) is the cruel lord of the Ching regime. He has earned his high rank by using his Lohan Fist techniques to destroy the Ming rebels, who, in turn have targeted Prince Tsoi for assassination. Enter Shao Hai (Meng Hoi), a naive Kung Fu scholar who earns a living by acting as a janitor for the local Shaolin Temple. The monks here apparently don’t take their positions too seriously, as they spend their days bullying Shao Hai instead of praying or practicing the martial arts. Shao Hai lives with his Aunt who adopted him, and learns the martial arts from his drunken master Uncle (Chien Yuet San, doing his best Sam the Seed routine), formerly a head monk of the local temple. The day Prince Tsoi comes to the temple, Shao Hai watches the arrival from the roofs above. He sees incognito rebel assassins about to attack Prince Tsoi, and yells out to the Prince to take cover. Upon hearing Shao Hoi’s warning, the guards leap into action and chase off the rebel offenders. Prince Tsoi then shows his gratitude towards Shao Hai for potentially saving his life.

Prince Tsoi (who really doesn’t like Shao Hai) allows the young man to think he has gained favor with the Ching. So this immediately goes to the head of Shao Hai and he goes around alienating those around him. Meanwhile, Shao Hai’s Uncle asks him to spy on Prince Tsoi to determine which form of martial arts he practices. When Shao Hai informs his Uncle that the Prince practices Lohan style, he convinces Shao Hai to ask Prince Tsoi to teach him this super secret form of Kung Fu. The Prince is suspicious of Shao Hai’s desire to learn Lohan Fist, but agrees because he sees the kid as a pawn of the rebels. In short time, Shao Hai learns Lohan and Buddhist Fist techniques. He finally gets to apply these skills when masked rebel assassins penetrate the palace security to kill the Prince. He beats off the assassins, and manages to kill one. When he removes the mask of the dead rebel, Shao Hai goes into shock when the assassin is none other than his Aunt who adopted him. Shao Hai now realizes that he is on the wrong side of this conflict. He goes to seek the advice of his Uncle, who recruits him into the rebellion, something that his Aunt firmly believed in.

The Prince’s advisors warn him that someday Shao Hai could become a potentially great opponent with Lohan Fist training. But the Prince still plans to use Shao Hai to expose the underground. Over time, Shao Hai becomes more knowledgeable with the Lohan techniques, and begins to train his Uncle. The Prince finally catches on about whom Shao Hai is, and demands he send his Uncle to the palace to face him. After the two fight to a standstill, the Prince’s guards interrupt the fight, giving the Uncle the opportunity to escape. The angered Prince Tsoi organizes a search party to track down and kill Shao Hai and his Uncle. Meanwhile, both men have hidden themselves in the forest where Uncle begins training his nephew in the ways of the Buddhist’s Palm; the only know method of counteracting the Lohan Fist. After undergoing training of the Five Elements Buddha’s Palm techniques, the enlightened Shao Hai returns to the palace to challenge his opponent. He fights through Prince Tsoi’s bodyguards to finally engage the Prince himself. Shao Hai must defeat the Prince not only to avenge his Aunt’s death, but in the name of freedom itself...

BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR was filmed in the aftermath of Jackie Chan’s DRUNKEN MASTER, so it is very close in plot and structure. Much like that heralded film, BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR includes quite a bit of goofy humor, but I have to admit Meng Hoi balances the levity and martial arts pretty well, nearly as good as Sammo Hung. Some funny moments include Meng Hoi getting beat up in a gambling parlor. The thugs outnumber him and beat him down and then pig-pile on top of his body. His drunken Uncle runs into the room and instead of saving his nephew, jumps on top of the pig-pile instead (crushing his nephew even more). Meng Hoi plays his character with an immature naiveté, which is the complete opposite of Hwang Jang Li, who portrays Prince Tsoi with deadly seriousness, (with the exceptions of some evil grins, of course). Though Meng Hoi and Hwang Jang Li don’t fight each other until the end, they both share some great scenes together, such as when Prince Tsoi "befriends" Shao Hai. Though the movie is humorous and offers some fine fight choreography, it suffers from slack pacing and Kung Fu clichés (such as the training sequences that never seem to end).

Underneath all this humor is a historical subplot on the Buddha Fist style. At one time Meng Hoi’s Uncle and Prince Tsoi trained together at the same school. When they left the school, Prince Tsoi learned the Buddhist Fist while Uncle mastered Buddha’s Palm. Both these styles complemented each other, but neither one had the upper hand. The Chings recruited Prince Tsoi who quickly rose in rank, and Uncle became a key member of the Ming revolutionaries. The script has Prince Tsoi doing away with any other practitioners of the Buddhist Fist, so he is the only one left who has mastered it. Meng Hoi’s character eventually benefits from learning both styles from each of his masters. During the training sequences, Chien Yuet San teaches Meng Hoi the five elements of the Buddhist Palm. Meng Hoi is amazingly nimble and acrobatic despite his diminutive size, and pulls off the intricate movements even though he is not an intimidating fighter. Hwang Jang Li really cuts loose on Meng Hoi and Chien Yuen San with his head-snapping kicks. He demonstrates three different sub-forms of Lohan Style, called Dragon Stance, Catching the Eagle, and Flying Horse Kick. Though I have some issues about the plot and pacing of BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR, the final fight scene between Hwang Jang Li and Meng Hoi makes up for the film’s many weaknesses. This is some of Li’s best work here, and Hoi manages to keeps up with the Korean Taekwando champion. We witness a 10 minute display of all the styles (and sub-forms) shown earlier in the movie...

CONCLUSION:
BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR is recommended to those who prefer their Kung Fu with comedic touches. Fans of Hwang Jang Li will also get a charge out of the film, since he receives as much screen time as the protagonist, Meng Hoi. If you worship Chang Cheh, there’s probably no need to pick up BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR...

While at the temple there is an attempt on the prince's life but is is unwittingly foiled by Meng Hoi who shouts out a warning just in time. The rebels are killed and Meng Hoi is rewarded by the prince who takes him into his employment. He soon learns that the prince has sinister intentions and is persuaded by disgraced monk (and last surviving exponent of the Buddist Palm technique) Chien Yuet San to learn the prince's kung fu, in particular the Madness, Laughing, Sleeping techniques of the Lo Han palm style. The prince is fully aware of Meng Hoi's deception but decides to use him to draw his enemies out and agrees to teach him kung fu. The stage is set for another classic showdown.

'Buddha Assassinator' features excellent fight scenes with original choreography. Hwang Jang Lee again displays the kicking techniques that made him famous and Meng Hoi also show great acrobatic skills and agility. The plot is full of intrigue and twists that keeps it engaging and is more than just an average revenge story. This certainly stands up well to repeated viewings.