Deadly Melody (1994)

AKA: Deadful Melody

Director: Ng Min Kan

Cast: Brigitte Lin, Yuen Biao, Tsui Kam-Kong, Carina Lau, Lin Wei, Wu Ma, Chan Lung, Chung Fa

Running Time: 92 min.

Plot: The "Demonic Strings" is powerful lyre that can destroy all living things with it deadly notes. The evil and corrupt "Six Clans" vow to have it and must battle its mysterious guardian (Lin) and a young martial artist (Yuen) for control of the martial arts world.

REEFER'S REVIEW: Since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon became a big commercial and critical hit, it makes sense that the studios owning the rights to similar fare would make there titles readily available for the overflow of interest in the "wuxia" or flying people genre. This is largely the reason that Yuen Woo Ping's Iron Monkey got a theater release last year and many DVD releases such as Deadful Melody Special Edition have seen the light of day. I am sure other wild martial arts fantasies are making there way to retailers as I write this. I am weary of this only because the interests of the retailers are distinctly different than mine. They want to make money. I want to enjoy good movies. I am hoping we can have both.

Have no fear, Deadful Melody is a good one. This movie is filled with color, movement, good performances, inventive special effects, and wild action. Brigitte Lin stars as the mysterious guardian of the "Demonic Strings" lyre. Sixteen years earlier, her parents were wiped out and her brother was lost as members of the "Six Clans" raided their home. This sequence opens the movie and is quite wonderful in its depiction of the power of the lyre. Yuen Biao plays an ambitious security specialist Lin hires to transport the lyre. Along the way, he meets up with Carina Lau who is secretly an assistant to one the Six Clan members. Her job is to steal the lyre. Unfortunately, Deadful Melody lags a little, after the opening action sequence, as Six Clan members seem to enjoy sitting around talking about what they plan to do. It has always been my understanding that movies should show and not tell. Furthermore, during there discussion, the film gives away a plot point, regarding Lin's motives, that could have easily been kept secret until later. American movies often treat the audience as if they were stupid, so naturally, that doesn't fly with me here either. The English language option on my DVD featured some of the worst dubbing and dopiest dialogue I have heard. At one point during the Yuen and Carina part of the movie, Yuen leaves her tied up and claims "I hope you get raped!" What? Plus, what's up with the martial arts master who dines on stinky tofu and seems to travel via flapping two trash can lids?

Despite the rape reference, the Yuen and Carina portions play like something from an adventure-romance film like Romancing The Stone. They are both charming and gifted comedic actors. Charisma goes a long way in our suspension of disbelief here.

However, Lin's performance really holds this film together. She portrays just the right amount of beauty, smarts, and rage. Plus, she plays a mean lyre. When I say mean, I mean MEAN. When she hits the strings they quite literally bring down the house. Strings are used as means to shoot fireballs and people spontaneous combustion from its notes.

Despite the presence of a man of Yuen Biao's talent, please remember that this is not a grounded kung fu movie. Characters willfully fly through the air, bounce off of trees, and for no apparent reason, do back flips. Yuen is only given a few opportunities to display his famous wireless athleticism.

Before the movie's done, there are plenty of fights, a family reunion, and the Six Clans are treated to a lyre recital they will never forget.

REEFER'S RATING: 8/10