So the best thing about THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM is the characters, the good and the bad, which have their own unique skills. Combined with Chang Cheh's deft direction, a different plot and a talented kungfu actors, you get good entertainment, especially for the Venoms' fans.

The story involves a desperate delivery of gold caskets for the needy by the government through a place named the Death Valley. The place is so feared that the delivery, which has no other option but to pass it, has to be escorted by a group of skilled fighters.

The Deadly Valley, so it is named, is a no-man's land ruled by an infamous robber, highly skilled- the Golden Arm (Lo Meng) with his gang: the Silver Spear (Lu Feng), the Iron Robe (Wang Lung Wei), and the Brass Head (Yang Tsiung), who are all aiming at looting the gold delivery.

But, things do not come as easy as they think. The government officers has sent Chief Security Yang (Sun Chien)--together with a group of fighters--to prepare an unexpected welcome for the adversaries.

Again the fighters on Chief Yang's side, are as unique as the baddies: Constable Hai To, the drunkard (Kwo Chui), Swordsman Li, the arrogant (Wei Pai), Heroine Leng (dunno her name), Long Axe (played by a cameo; should have been played by Wang Li, though), and Short Axe (Chiang Sen).

There are one-to-one mortal combats that are, as usual, exciting to watch- the one between Silver Spear and Short Axe,another with the Iron Robe and Constable Hai To, then the climax between the Golden Arm and Constable Hai To.

A little twist at the end is the appearance of a mysterious character the Iron Feet, known to be one of the deadly duos of the Deadly Valley before the Golden Arm established his reign of terror. He, too, demands his share of the gold.

Who, then, will be the last man standing ?

This isn't a masterpiece, but it's among the best of the second tier of the Venoms filmography.

The plot is far more coherent in the uncut, non-English dubbed Hong Kong version than the edited dubs. I had found it difficult to enjoy my previous, Ground Zero, edition due to technical and linguistic failings.

This was my very first Venoms film, and I knew from the opening scene that things were going to be a bit different this time around. I had seen many kung fu films before this one and usually the bad guys didn't show themselves until the end...not these guys. There was no guesswork here, these bad guys were totally in your face. As a matter of fact the films starts with the baddies sending a little message to the escort service that will be escorting the gold through their territory...a message carved in the back of one of the escorts.

The good guys didn't really fit the mold either; how many good guys did you see with a side bet as to who could kill the most bad guys? Good or bad these boys enjoyed what they did.

This film had some really good fights; the showdown between Lu Feng and Chiang Shien, the completely over-matched Wei Pai who pushes his luck one time too many with Lo Meng, the showdown between Lo Meng and Kuo Chui and who could forget Kuo Chui and Sun Chien matching kicks...good stuff.

There really wasn't much story but this was a fun film. Lots of fights, lots of blood and lots of attitude. And ladies, the hunk factor is just through the roof in this one. From Lo Meng's gold chain that holds a piece of cloth to his back, to Lu Feng's peak-a-boo silver vest and see through silver genie pants, and let's not forget Sun Chien's black and silver chain outfit...and the forever handsome Wang Lung Wei.

The only gripe I have about this one is Helen Poon. Why oh why didn't they put a female in that role who could actually take on one of the Venoms? Ching Ching, Young Pan Pan, Hui Ying Hung or Lily Li just to name a few.

Having enjoyed kung fu flicks for awhile now, I recently began picking up as many of the classics starring Lo Meng and the gang as I possibly could. Of course with praises sung from many a rooftop about the Venoms' releases, I opted for one in particular: "Kid With The Golden Arm".

The plot is a standard affair. An escort service of kung fu masters is hired to protect a large amount of gold being transported to a specific destination. Of course this ensures that a gang of bandits--lead by Golden Arm (Lo Meng) and consisting of Silver Spear (Lu Feng), Iron Robe and Brass Head--are also out to get the gold.

What I immediately gathered from watching "Kid With The Golden Arm" is that it feels rushed. Everything from the simplified plot to the shallow characters to the awkwardly choreographed fight scenes.

Sure there is the typical comic relief provided in the form of a drunken monk, played by Phillip Kwok, but even his attempt at lightening the heart of the film feels lackluster. Past characters of drunken kung fu experts have been done excellently and badly, and unfortunately this one is done badly. A man carrying a pot of wine does not equal a character anywhere near the likes of, say, Yuen Siu Tien's iconic turn.

"The Kid With The Golden Arm" tries and tries but fails to improve on traditional Venoms movies. The action is more like badly coordinated dancing than the hard-hitting violence we've come to know from Chang Sheh and the mob.

The inclusion of a female character does nothing to sustain any originality that might be salvaged from its haphazardness. After all, she practically does nothing throughout the film's duration.

To wrap this up "Kid..." is a must for fans itching to add to their Venoms collection, but it's entirely too sub-par to be considered anywhere near a classic in my humble opinion. With blocky, awkward fights reminiscent of Chinese opera, bad characterization and a rather ridiculous try-hard ending, this outing for the legendary group is a little below average.