cityonfire.com | Shaolin Revenger

	Shaolin Revenger "This is a kung-fu movie that has a lot of fight scenes, but with little fighting." - MilkCan Shaolin Revenger (1980) AKA: The Revenger Director: Baau Hok Lai Producer: Chien Tian Chang, Shien Wen Cheng Cast: Ti Lung, Dorian Tan (Tao Liang), Si Si (Shih Szu), Hsu Feng (Shiu Feng), Wong Ching, Ling Yur Running Time: 101 min. Plot: Chou Shu grows up to be a valiant and courageous fighter. But on his birthday, his mother reveals that his father was killed by the evil Mao Kao. Chow Shu sets out on a journey of discovery to find his father's bones and bury them in the family tomb. At the same time, Mao Kao learns that Chou Shu is still alive and is determined to finally eliminate the young man. Forced to fight for his life, Chou Shu discovers his own strength and skill until, one day, he arranges the final showdown with his father's killer. Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com Reviews MILKCAN'S REVIEW: Somewhere underneath this poorly constructed movie is a story about revenge. Wait. Not about revenge, but about a young fighter wanting to collect the bones of his murdered father. The father (played by Ti Lung) apparently was a notorious troublemaker years ago, roaming the countryside for no practical reason. His killer grotesquely kept his remains as a prized possession. The son (also played by Ti Lung) feels it is his duty to have them in his possession. Somewhere underneath these happenings, a soap opera will unfold. There will be affairs, betrayals, teasing, and more killings. "Shaolin Revenger" is difficult to follow, criss-crossing everywhere, pumping the story with characters of no significance, using bad plot developments: so much happens, the movie feels much longer than its 101 minute running time. This is a kung-fu movie that has a lot of fight scenes, but with little fighting. There is a much heavier emphasis on the drama and romance elements. While this approach was awfully kind of the filmmakers, these scenes only turn out to be roaringly bad and laughable. The actors often brake down and flex their skills at laughter, crying, and shouting, but it soon becomes clear their efforts should be put somewhere else. The dialogue is irritating and pathetic (who the hell writes these scripts?). The sloppy English dubbing only furthers the annoyance (who writes these dubs?). As I was watching this movie, I spotted several instances that had potential to make this a good flick. One scene involved a battle in a snow-filled area in the woods. Another involved a fight between three armed characters on a beach. I walked away disappointed by the director's decisions. You will too. MILKCAN'S RATING: 4/10

Shaolin Revenger

"This is a kung-fu movie that has a lot of fight scenes, but with little fighting."

- MilkCan

Shaolin Revenger (1980)

AKA: The Revenger

Director: Baau Hok Lai

Producer: Chien Tian Chang, Shien Wen Cheng

Cast: Ti Lung, Dorian Tan (Tao Liang), Si Si (Shih Szu), Hsu Feng (Shiu Feng), Wong Ching, Ling Yur

Running Time: 101 min.

Plot: Chou Shu grows up to be a valiant and courageous fighter. But on his birthday, his mother reveals that his father was killed by the evil Mao Kao. Chow Shu sets out on a journey of discovery to find his father's bones and bury them in the family tomb. At the same time, Mao Kao learns that Chou Shu is still alive and is determined to finally eliminate the young man. Forced to fight for his life, Chou Shu discovers his own strength and skill until, one day, he arranges the final showdown with his father's killer.

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

Reviews

MILKCAN'S REVIEW: Somewhere underneath this poorly constructed movie is a story about revenge. Wait. Not about revenge, but about a young fighter wanting to collect the bones of his murdered father. The father (played by Ti Lung) apparently was a notorious troublemaker years ago, roaming the countryside for no practical reason. His killer grotesquely kept his remains as a prized possession. The son (also played by Ti Lung) feels it is his duty to have them in his possession. Somewhere underneath these happenings, a soap opera will unfold. There will be affairs, betrayals, teasing, and more killings. "Shaolin Revenger" is difficult to follow, criss-crossing everywhere, pumping the story with characters of no significance, using bad plot developments: so much happens, the movie feels much longer than its 101 minute running time.

This is a kung-fu movie that has a lot of fight scenes, but with little fighting. There is a much heavier emphasis on the drama and romance elements. While this approach was awfully kind of the filmmakers, these scenes only turn out to be roaringly bad and laughable. The actors often brake down and flex their skills at laughter, crying, and shouting, but it soon becomes clear their efforts should be put somewhere else. The dialogue is irritating and pathetic (who the hell writes these scripts?). The sloppy English dubbing only furthers the annoyance (who writes these dubs?). As I was watching this movie, I spotted several instances that had potential to make this a good flick. One scene involved a battle in a snow-filled area in the woods. Another involved a fight between three armed characters on a beach. I walked away disappointed by the director's decisions. You will too.

MILKCAN'S RATING: 4/10