| Fans of Chang Cheh's later film, Chinatown Kid (1977), may get an equal kick out of The Delinquent; starring Wang Chung as John, a rebellious teenager who can hold his own during the toughest street brawls. The story, though not as complex, is a similar tale of poverty, struggle and one teenager's careless decision to get involved with the violent underworld. Showered with sex, convertible sports cars, and thousand-dollar suits; they corrupt his mind and blackmail him into releasing secret information for a profitable transaction. Of course, his negligent actions come back to haunt him. Not only does it put him in danger, but also puts his hard-working father in a life-threatening fiasco.
Chang Cheh must have been pissed off at something during production of the film. The opening credits - which have Wang Chung's character, in a deep rage, smashing through boards of what appear to be past and modern illustrations of urban Hong Kong - hint that the movie is extremely dark and will not have a happy ending. Even the music is scratchy and distorted, releasing the sense of "a living hell". It's easily one of the most in-your-face credit sequences I've ever seen, and also one of the coolest (even surpassing Five Element Ninja's "blood ring" opening).
The Delinquent is drama ridden, but obviously has enough action to be tagged a straight kung fu flick. It's filled with crisp fights (courtesy of Lau Kar Leung), neat motorbike chases, and a bloody finale that only Chang Cheh is capable of; and of course, we get the eye-candy of modern day Hong Kong in the early 70's; so expect lots of funky clothing, psychedelic sets and lots of Mascara on those call-girl babes.
It's films like these that set the ground for movies years later like Brian De Palma's Scarface and Benny Chan's Moment of Romance. Considering the time it was made, it's gutsy, and the true-to-life characterization, The Delinquent proves that Chang Cheh is the real deal when it comes to the genre of ultra-violence. |
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