Well this movie has a few firsts and a few unique qualities about it, but as far as that, it has little else. It is Jackie Chan's first movie (at least according to Microsoft's Cinemania, and I will leave it up to you to whether it is to be considered a legitimate source) and it is the only movie in which Jackie Chan has worked with John Woo. It is John Woo's third movie, and as such we cannot expect that much out of it. In fact, compared to his later masterpieces, this is a fingerpainting. It is also the only movie where Jackie Chan has been killed on screen.
Basically an evil emperor is banning all Shou-lung warriors and one particular warrior has betrayed the order and has joined the emperor. The monks are being slaughtered but one escapes and vows vengeance. He tries to sneak into the order but he is found out and swiftly beaten, but he manages to escape, builds up his force, and then returns to kick butt.
The plot is basic and has no interesting character developments and interactions as the later Woo movies, though one of the characters refuses to fight because he accidentally killed his mistress. This struggle is not developed though as he is found, talked to, and convinced to take up arms again.
The cinematography is really bad, and I can see why they say that you not use the zoom in professional film-making, namely because it looks very bad. This movie does not have any of Woo's dazzling camera effects that become obvious in later movies, nor does it focus on minor things that bring out the characters more, but it does show a side that we rarely see, and that is that a great filmmaker must come from somewhere.
Though it is not the best, it is a start for somebody who goes on to become a famous, and much admired film-maker. It goes to show that just because you begin by making bad movies, that you will not go anywhere.
Basically an evil emperor is banning all Shou-lung warriors and one particular warrior has betrayed the order and has joined the emperor. The monks are being slaughtered but one escapes and vows vengeance. He tries to sneak into the order but he is found out and swiftly beaten, but he manages to escape, builds up his force, and then returns to kick butt.
The plot is basic and has no interesting character developments and interactions as the later Woo movies, though one of the characters refuses to fight because he accidentally killed his mistress. This struggle is not developed though as he is found, talked to, and convinced to take up arms again.
The cinematography is really bad, and I can see why they say that you not use the zoom in professional film-making, namely because it looks very bad. This movie does not have any of Woo's dazzling camera effects that become obvious in later movies, nor does it focus on minor things that bring out the characters more, but it does show a side that we rarely see, and that is that a great filmmaker must come from somewhere.
Though it is not the best, it is a start for somebody who goes on to become a famous, and much admired film-maker. It goes to show that just because you begin by making bad movies, that you will not go anywhere.