Michael Wai-Man Chan plays a young fighter named Shen Wei Ta, who accidentally kills the obnoxious brother of his fiancee. Ashamed of himself, he takes it on the lam, ending up in a remote fishing village where corruption reigns supreme. He's vowed never to fight again - at one point, he even goes so far as to maim himself - but he just might have to, in order to combat the gangland bosses who intimidate all the locals.
"Chinese Hercules" is not the slickest film of this type that one will ever see, but it serves its purpose, delivering one intense fight after another. Granted, the dubbing is hilarious - and who would expect anything different? - and the over-use of LOUD "impact sounds" is also worthy of many a chuckle. But the story is pretty decent, and the on-screen performances are capable enough. Despite the supposed brutality of the combat, there's very little gore to put a bad taste in the mouths of more squeamish viewers. The widescreen photography and the location shooting are excellent.
Yang Sze (a.k.a. Bolo Yeung) is touted as the star attraction, and the presence of this martial artist with the awe-inspiring physique will no doubt be the element that will entice most people. But this is really Chans' film, with Bolo reduced to maybe 20 or 25 minutes of screen time, as he portrays muscle employed by the bad guys to keep the locals in line.
All things considered, this is pretty fun. It lacks true distinction, but there are much worse ways to spend 95 minutes.
Jackie Chan and Corey Yuen have bit parts.
Seven out of 10.
"Chinese Hercules" is not the slickest film of this type that one will ever see, but it serves its purpose, delivering one intense fight after another. Granted, the dubbing is hilarious - and who would expect anything different? - and the over-use of LOUD "impact sounds" is also worthy of many a chuckle. But the story is pretty decent, and the on-screen performances are capable enough. Despite the supposed brutality of the combat, there's very little gore to put a bad taste in the mouths of more squeamish viewers. The widescreen photography and the location shooting are excellent.
Yang Sze (a.k.a. Bolo Yeung) is touted as the star attraction, and the presence of this martial artist with the awe-inspiring physique will no doubt be the element that will entice most people. But this is really Chans' film, with Bolo reduced to maybe 20 or 25 minutes of screen time, as he portrays muscle employed by the bad guys to keep the locals in line.
All things considered, this is pretty fun. It lacks true distinction, but there are much worse ways to spend 95 minutes.
Jackie Chan and Corey Yuen have bit parts.
Seven out of 10.