It was not Lau Kar Leung's idea to do a broad humour movie at this time but the Shaw Brothers were looking for anything to expand their audience beyond the martial arts fans. Golden Harvest was becoming a serious threat to the Shaws. There was an agenda for Golden Harvest to essentially put Shaws Brothers out of business, with some help from their well off investors. Martial artist and director Lau decided if it was to be comedy he would give them comedy! He also knew he needed a well known (and loved) cast to do at least some martial arts or that segment of the audience would be very disappointed. The decision was made to do a current day martial arts comedy spoof. Unfortunately quite a few people did not realize going in that this was never intended to be taken seriously. Lau lampooned everything he could think of and still managed enough kung fu to satisfy the fans. The few people left complaining about "too much stupid humour" failed to realize despite the material that this was satire, and took everything much more seriously than was ever intended, especially by Lau. He was making fun of his own movies, the genre, the student - master relationship, training, killer stances and even being overly conservative and rigid was fair game.

The movie begins with Wong Hsia Yuan (Lau Kar Leung) asking for help to prevent his martial arts school from being torn down. His colleagues try to get him to be reasonable but it was founded by Wong's Master and he refuses to leave unless told to do so. Just as things are getting really serious a message comes from Wong's Master that they should move to a better place for the school. Now given no choice Hsia Yuan reluctantly moves the school and his five students to new quarters. The school founder lives in the US but is coming to Hong Kong. Sifu Wong along with several other well respected schools leaders and the students go to the airport to meet the now elderly Master. But when they pick up the new school "Master" they get one hell of a surprise! However Wong tries to keep things flowing smoothly and at least giving face to some of the ideas offered. But it seems at every turn they disagree! Wong complains to the other teachers and elders he can't comply with the new Master's wishes and ideas, particularly since she is a young woman Chan Mei Ling (Kara Hui), The Founder's daughter. He is encouraged to let her make a few minor changes and that she will soon grow bored and go back to the US. He does try to allow her to tell his students what to do but she does everything wrong! At least as far as he is concerned including some of his students, especially Hsiao Ho. The humour is mostly involving the clashes, between cultures, ages and, especially Hong Kong and the "rules for women". Mei Ling's ideas about training, and even the reason to practice kung fu conflict with Wong. Frustrated he tells his students they have a new boss now and he leaves.

Mei Ling uses his absence to make more changes to draw attention and therefore potential students. They set up ways to attract attention, including a public demonstration of young children sparring. I must admit the little guys were fun. So fierce! Unfortunately the ideas land everyone at the police station. Sifu Wong tells Mei Ling he feels the entire mess is so embarrassing he has lost all face because of her. He leaves the school and doesn't tell them when or if he is going to return.

Mei Ling thinks the guys need a definite change of appearance if they are going to attract young people. The results of her martial artist makeovers are …interesting. I think they went a wee bit overboard with some of the changes but it was done for laughs and it was the single incident that finally separated Mei ling and Sifu Wong. In their new wardrobes they go where they can find young people who are not set in their ways and have the strength to pursue martial arts. This also leads to a disco where Mei Ling hopes to pick up more students. The cream of the crop these students are definitely not. There are groups of all sort and Mei Ling makes sure everyone gets a great example of the kung fu style. Gay, transvestites, prostitutes and other assorted students all go to the school.

Sifu comes home to discover his school packed with very interesting groups of people. When he demands of Mei ling to tell him why they are there she tells him they are all his new students. If that is not enough of a shock he sees his five students dressed up like as he says, "freaks" There is a major argument between Mei ling and Wong even in front of so many people. When Sifu refuses to teach them Mei ling says she will train them all. Mei ling is going to have the five senior students teach the newly recruited students along with her. One of the students has had enough and follows his former Sifu and back to the old ways.

One night the group of prostitutes don't arrive for class. At first it's thought they just had enough of practice but Mei ling doesn't believe it. On her own she goes to the "ball room" (insert your own joke here) only to discover her students had all been beat up by the guys there for resisting the customers. She is furious and starts beating up the male staff. Eventually they subdue Mei Ling and it becomes necessary for Wong to compensate for any damages. Once Mei Ling is freed she is furious that he didn't do anything to the ballroom owner and she plans revenge. However things don't go the way she planned and that leads to the finale which takes place in a gymnasium complete with balance beam, parallel bars etc. Lau had kept the students under a tight reign it seemed but wow when he did turn them loose it was great!! Especially Hsiao Ho and Gordon Liu. Gordon harkens back to the "36th Chamber" San Te Monk. Hsiao Ho returns to "Mad Monkey" and is dazzling and amazing as he takes on about a dozen guys with machete/knives and looks in great form. It's not unusual for people doing martial arts to get injured but Hsiao Ho must have had more than his share. At different points in the movie especially the gymnasium he is wearing bandages on his back and a couple places on his leg and foot. But it certainly did not hurt his terrific performance! And last but most definitely not the least is the fight with Lau Kar Leung/Master Wong. The fighting is top notch and Lau looks incredible. What an amazing man! However if not for Gordon Liu and Hsiao Ho the end would have been most disappointing.

This is a difficult film to rate. There are scenes that are great, and some not so great. But you need to have this movie because you will watch it again, at least the finale fights. All things considered it's not a bad movie but it isn't great either. A big deciding factor in my rating is due to the last fight ensemble.

* Okay you who think you know all the trivial trivia about such films. What's the answer to this question. Well one thing is 'borrowed' from "My Young Auntie". More of a prop really. Here's a hint - Kara Hui doesn't use it in this movie but Hsiao Ho did in My Young Auntie.