This is one for the hurt/hurt/hurt/hurt 'em some more puppies. You see, the final battle sequence between Jackie and Ing-Sik Whang just goes on and on and on and on...and through most of it Jackie just gets his ass completely whooped. It's squirm inducing...in a good way, if you like that kind of thing. I must admit that I do. Make sure to see the HK cut of the movie where the fight's even longer and more unbelievably painful than the US release.
OK, that said, this is Jackie's directorial debut and a really fun movie. It starts out with a lovely Lion Dance that leads into the main plot: Dragon (Jackie) and Tiger (Wei Pei) are orphans taken in by the master of a gym. Dragon's always trying to cover for his trouble making brother Tiger. When Tiger gets in serious trouble by helping to free a dangerous criminal, Dragon must head after him to try to clear his name. Mistaken identity madness ensues as they both carry the same weapon, and of course much kung fu fighting is soon to follow.
This is certainly a cut above Jackie's earlier kung fu movies under other directors and really shows him on his way to developing his unique style. It's not especially slashy except there are a few nice moments between Dragon and the son of the local constable, played by the ever yummy Yuen Biao. There's also a rather nice chummy scene of all the boys at the gym bathing together before betime. Aww. Looks like the kind of place where I wouldn't mind hanging out...
SUMMARY:
Overall rating: B+ Just misses an A because it takes a while to get going and get through some cheesy earlier bits.
