I understand why people don’t enjoy martial arts films. However, I really enjoy them and also fully acknowledge that even when they’re bad, they can be very good. HBO has two Blu-Ray DVD releases out now that are under their HBO Asia Original Film series. Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying both have their moments and will be enjoyed by fans of martial arts films, but one of the m is more enjoyable.
Both of these films are Executive Produced by Cory Yuen who directed The Transporter and directed by Guo Jian-Yong who choreographed The Transporter films, Cradle 2 the Grave and others. It’s also important to point out that both films were filmed in Chinese, but have multiple choices for voice overs. For us the dubbing would’ve been a distraction so we watched them with the original audio track and English subtitles.
Of the two films Master of the Drunken Fist starts out faster, more entertaining and seems to have more promise. So Chan is the son of a merchant and on course to become the Emperor’s top martial arts warrior. There is lots of competition and it’s evident that even though he’s the most qualified, it’s a bad fit for his personality and work ethic. He sneaks off into the Emperor’s kitchen to get something to eat where he encounters a thief who is doing the same thing. It turns out this thief fights better when he’s drinking wine, proceeds to defeat So Chan, in addition to tricking him in a way that disqualifies him from the Emperor’s position.
This defeat sends So Chan spiraling out of control where he drinks all day becomes rude and is generally kicked out of society where he’s forced to become a beggar. Things get worse for So because the Emperor’s new head warrior has a vengeance for him and sends out the state hit squad to kill his family. Thankfully (now) Beggar So, keeps drinking which leads him to meet his new sensei who hasn’t been able to master The Drunken Fist yet.
The action sequences in Master of the Drunken Fist are good, but the film lives in the shadow of Drunken Master. Had Drunken Fist kept up some of the enthusiasm, fun and joy that it has in the first 15 minutes it would’ve been a much better film.
That is one reason why Master of the Shadowless Kick is such a surprise. It starts out slower, has a whining child in it and a weaker supporting cast, yet the film is much more enjoyable. Wong Kei-Ying is a physician in a rural Chinese town. As he has the ethics of a doctor he helps the sick and injured, regardless of the fact the they’re in the local mob, doped up on opium or a corrupt government official.
Unfortunately for Wong the new governor moonlights as the leader of the regional mob who is intent on increasing the use of heroin in the area. Thankfully, Wong’s friend is the leader of the underground resistance and is leading the fight against them. Thankfully (again) for the plot and those involved, both of these men wear masks whilst fighting so that nobody realizes their true identity.
Master of the Shadowless Kick lulls in the middle of the film as Master Wong intentionally becomes addicted to Heroin (in order to find a medicinal cure). Not surprisingly the sister of his deceased wife helps him get past it just in time to have the governor set up the ultimate trap that will secure his dominance in the heroin trade once and for all.
Now this is the kind of ridiculous, fun martial arts plot and action that fans of the genre expect. This not the classic, award winning martial arts that will win over non-fans, a la, Crouching Tiger, but it’s a good staple to have in the cannon.
Both films have set themselves up for a sequel by having a colon after their main title. Master of the Shadowless Kick: So Wong-Fi or any other master’s name could easily fit it in there with the ‘discovery’ of a new kick or punch in the shadowless armory. They’re both rated PG for action. The action is not graphic and features a little blood, but teaches good lessons about friendship, work ethic and responsibility.
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