ej's kung-fu capsule review for films of the chop-socky old-school - 1. basic plot type - young man comes of kung-fu age 2. plot construction - pretty good 3. dramatic - okay 4. funny - sometimes 5. dialog - not too bad 6. cast performance - pretty good all around 7. crew performance - solid 8. amount of fighting - fair amount 9. quality of fighting - okay 10. special any cast or crew notes - appears to be a transitional film for director Joseph kuo, made roughly at same time as the superior 'cavalier' 11. big positive - rarely dull 12. big negative - annoying leading actor who looks too old for the part bottom-line - who should see this movie - a solid martial-arts entertainment for any seeking such
8 Reviews
minor,but fun
dsb-626 June 2002
nobody famous,nothing too original. the son of a wealthy man cares nothing for business -he just wants to learn kung fu. he finds the stereotypical kung fu movie old man with martial arts skills who teaches him 'sleepy crane style'. the father hires a kung fu expert to dissuade his son by outclassing him -but the expert decides to try and kill him instead leading to the big showdown. there's a lot of entertainment in this film even though it's nothing too special -worth seeing and it even features the hawai 5 o theme in a comedy scene -of which this film has quite a few.
For those who can expend their belief
kilgore23455 March 2004
As one of my first ventures into old style, dubbed Kung Fu movies, this was very entertaining. I was expecting some hilariously bad movie, however I was pleasantly surprised about how well it was put together. It should show many critics that you do not need big budgets to make an entertaining film. Yet, on the flip side I guess it goes to show that to make a movie that can create a buzz, it will probably be need to have a larger budget. (Just look at _Gigli_, it was worse than this movie but had a much higher budget)
The direction is stereotypical for this genre or sub-genre of film. The comedy, of course, is on the slapstick side--but it achieves its purpose for a kung fu movie. Outside of it being a rather stereotypical attempt for this genre, I would recommend it others and have--but good luck finding a copy, but I have found it on DVD.
The direction is stereotypical for this genre or sub-genre of film. The comedy, of course, is on the slapstick side--but it achieves its purpose for a kung fu movie. Outside of it being a rather stereotypical attempt for this genre, I would recommend it others and have--but good luck finding a copy, but I have found it on DVD.
Fun to watch
InzyWimzy17 July 2002
Very simple story of a man who wants to learn kung fu. But times are tough so he has to resort to performing in the streets. You kind of feel for the hero who does his own kung fu in this. There are supporting characters who are kind of annoying, but I think it's the horrible dubbing. The kung fu in this one is good and crane style is emphasized. I have to admit that the "old man" in this one is quite a character, but boy, can he fight!! The ultimate baddie is no joke and he'll take on any challenger. Great end battle too.
Kung Fu for Sale? Sure, I'll buy one.
Kung Fu for Sale? Sure, I'll buy one.
A good back story behind the comedy but it is easy to miss
ckormos12 October 2016
Our guy takes a beating simply because the bullies do not like his face. He goes to an egg seller for a job and the same trouble follows him. He needs a job for money to learn kung fu. He hooks up with three beggars. He tries to learn at Dean Shek's school but again, folks just do not like this guy. It escalates to the point where he can only make money by charging people $1 to punch him. A moustauche guy fights off the big guy who keeps punching him without payment then just walks off. He meets the drunken master Simon Yuen clone at a tea house. He becomes his grandfather and teacher.
The movie then takes a twist that makes it more than a comedy and adds substance. Our guy's father was behind the scenes using his money to thwart his martial arts ambitions. Father comes clean and admits it and just wants his son to forget about martial arts and embrace the true power of money since it can buy anything. He doesn't want his son to be like his father who went off to become the man we already met, the drunken master called Grandfather. Son does not accept that premise of the power of money and he leaves. Father continues to use his money to pay people to stop the son but now those people extort him and demand even more money not to kill the son. The cliché of the thunderstorm indicates the final fight is near. Grandpa teaches him "Sleepy Crane" for the final fight.
Most reviews indicate they liked this movie despite its shortcomings. This movie hits on the secret to low budget success, a likable sympathetic lead character in a story that is all about the martial arts. The grandfather, father, son, martial arts, money and power story points are all there if you care to pay attention. Those points take the movie above the ordinary or you can just enjoy the comedy and fights. Unfortunately the deeper story line is not well written nor well edited and comes across as if it came out of nowhere. I rate this above average and highly recommend it for all fans of the genre.
The movie then takes a twist that makes it more than a comedy and adds substance. Our guy's father was behind the scenes using his money to thwart his martial arts ambitions. Father comes clean and admits it and just wants his son to forget about martial arts and embrace the true power of money since it can buy anything. He doesn't want his son to be like his father who went off to become the man we already met, the drunken master called Grandfather. Son does not accept that premise of the power of money and he leaves. Father continues to use his money to pay people to stop the son but now those people extort him and demand even more money not to kill the son. The cliché of the thunderstorm indicates the final fight is near. Grandpa teaches him "Sleepy Crane" for the final fight.
Most reviews indicate they liked this movie despite its shortcomings. This movie hits on the secret to low budget success, a likable sympathetic lead character in a story that is all about the martial arts. The grandfather, father, son, martial arts, money and power story points are all there if you care to pay attention. Those points take the movie above the ordinary or you can just enjoy the comedy and fights. Unfortunately the deeper story line is not well written nor well edited and comes across as if it came out of nowhere. I rate this above average and highly recommend it for all fans of the genre.
Another day, another Jackie Chan clone devoid of the elements that made his films great
Leofwine_draca9 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
KUNG FU ON SALE is another cheap Taiwanese martial arts film that openly copies the Jackie Chan movies DRUNKEN MASTER and SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW. This is one of the most inept rip-offs I've seen, a film which never overcomes the paucity of a non-existent budget and feels cheap and slapdash throughout. The plot, about a kid who is banned from learning kung fu and who ends up hooking up with a wise master to learn the ropes, is as derivative as they come.
The film's one familiar cast member is Dean Shek, playing a chap who runs a martial arts school. Otherwise, the main character is an idiot who keeps getting beaten up because people think he's ugly. There's a twist in the tale which feels a bit silly and unbelievable. The only time the story picks up is in the extended climax which is as familiar as they come. Unfortunately, the team dubbing this one into English seem to have decided that as it is a comedy/action film, they'll supply the most stupid and exaggerated voices ever. It's really irritating.
The film's one familiar cast member is Dean Shek, playing a chap who runs a martial arts school. Otherwise, the main character is an idiot who keeps getting beaten up because people think he's ugly. There's a twist in the tale which feels a bit silly and unbelievable. The only time the story picks up is in the extended climax which is as familiar as they come. Unfortunately, the team dubbing this one into English seem to have decided that as it is a comedy/action film, they'll supply the most stupid and exaggerated voices ever. It's really irritating.
I would equate this to a B-level Jackie Chan early years movie.
wojo-joe16 July 2015
"Kung Fu on Sale" (1979) is a pretty good movie (6/10) IF you enjoy the earlier martial arts genre. If you are not a fan of martial arts & kung fu flicks, you probably won't appreciate this film. I would suggest watching more popular martial arts movies... when you develop a taste of the genre, return and check this one out for historical reasons.
As with many of the kung fu films I have seen, "Kung Fu on Sale" follows a person on their path to learning a martial art. In terms of artistry, the dubbing is entertaining in how horrible it is. The poor voice acting and western "hoedown" music adds to the silly nature of this already half-comedy.
I would equate this to a B-level Jackie Chan early years movie.
This film is slow to start and picks up around the middle. The beginning is full of comedic bits that probably get lost in translation. The physical comedy is more of a sad-trombone music style that isn't laugh out loud funny. What balances this movie in general is the comedy, action, story and morals rolled up into one.
Morals presented in the movie include the power of family, money vs dreams & practicing moderation.
Not bad for a 1979 movie I have never heard of.
As with many of the kung fu films I have seen, "Kung Fu on Sale" follows a person on their path to learning a martial art. In terms of artistry, the dubbing is entertaining in how horrible it is. The poor voice acting and western "hoedown" music adds to the silly nature of this already half-comedy.
I would equate this to a B-level Jackie Chan early years movie.
This film is slow to start and picks up around the middle. The beginning is full of comedic bits that probably get lost in translation. The physical comedy is more of a sad-trombone music style that isn't laugh out loud funny. What balances this movie in general is the comedy, action, story and morals rolled up into one.
Morals presented in the movie include the power of family, money vs dreams & practicing moderation.
Not bad for a 1979 movie I have never heard of.
Kung-Fu Movie For Sale!
gattonero97512 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A very ultra low-budget martial arts film. I did not recognize anyone in this supposedly action/comedy film. It was so frustrating to see the main guy (our hero a Jackie Chan wannabe) get beat up time and time again. It wasn't until his own grandfather taught him some skills , was he able to defend himself somewhat. But by then you don't care. Interesting use of sample music from other films though.
The grandfather scenes, reminded me of Jackie Chan's Drunken Master. very well done and nicely paced. Plus somewhat funny. The main guy looked a little to old to be playing the hero in this one. I'm into the martial arts, so I was gonna watch this regardless.
The grandfather scenes, reminded me of Jackie Chan's Drunken Master. very well done and nicely paced. Plus somewhat funny. The main guy looked a little to old to be playing the hero in this one. I'm into the martial arts, so I was gonna watch this regardless.
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