Tom Hardy stars in this 3 hour, 4 part 'mini-series' as Freddy. A sociopathic, violent and sadistic young man recently out of prison.
Starting off in 1984, the film charts Freddy's up's (and subsequent downs) in two further timeframes (1988, and 1994).
The plot revolves around the family unit surrounding Freddy.. His wife and 3 kids, as well as his best mate, who ends up marrying Freddy's wife's younger sister.
Add to this the 'shadowy' character of Ozzie, the old and grizzled big boss, still in prison but still calling the shots... And you get a somewhat compelling storyline.
The acting is great, across the board.
However, there are some major problems. The first is that this could easily have been cut down into a 2 hour long film. Too many scenes go on for too long, too many just seem to revolve around establishing shots, and the sheer number of extended takes of people dancing to music gets annoying very quickly.
Add to this some very poor production values, you can tell this is made on a relatively small budget. A woeful musical score, that doesn't include any recognisable songs from the era it's set.
The worst part though is that the series doesn't know what it wants to be. Drama? Thriller? Psychological character study? Comedy? Tragedy?
It seems to want to blend in too many different genres, and contradicts itself in terms of stylisations. It doesn't help that the underlying plot points disappear, when the 'elephant in the room' plot thread comes into play in the last act.
And to top it all off, the ending was a massive cop-out that had me asking questions the narrative posed, but never answered.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Zhan long
(1989)
Pure VHS Rental Fodder From The Late 80's
26 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Back in the day, before I got into the 16-bit gaming consoles, I'd grab a couple of quid from the Parents, and pop to the video rental store.
Being a massive kung fu movie fan (having seen King Boxer in 1986 at the tender age of 10) I tried to rent out at least 2 movies a week. Luckily the shop I went into didn't really care that much about a video's 'rating', but then again even the very tamest martial arts movie seemed to incur an '18' certificate from the BBFC!! So I was watching 'proper' kung fu films, whilst my friends thought the fight scenes in the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles cartoon were the absolute be all and end all!
So, what's Death Cage like then, coming from someone who has watched at least 1000 kung fu films over the years....?
Well, it's extremely disappointing.
I didn't get to see it back in the day, although I remember the trailer (now nearly 27 years later), and it must have shown somethings that stuck in my mind. The version I just finished watching was clearly not the same one that was floating about back then over here in England. This one was widescreen, and was dubbed into Cantonese (which always makes Caucasian actors look hilarious), and so was probably closer to the version shown in Hong Kong.
The main plot it cliché-ridden. Good, moralistic kung fu teacher has young and precocious student. They fall foul of a rival martial arts school, run by some very out of place 'white folk', who effectively cheat to win the opening battle of the movie, and cripple the teacher, and badly injure the student.
Cue soul searching, training with another (related) kung fu teacher (who gets killed.... Natch), leading up to the big finale. Throw in a very forced love triangle between young student and both the teacher's daughters (yawn), and it's nothing you've not seen done better many times in the past.
However.... It is actually worth watching. The fight scenes are quit dynamic, and the 2 on 1 girl fight is a definite highlight. I can't speak for the English dub, of course, but if it's as comedic as the Cantonese attempt, it is surely an absolute classic.
Clearly filmed on a budget of about £10, the sets look like they'll blow away in the wind, but the location filming is better than most.
Overall, if you can find this movie (it is on YouTube at present (26/02/16)), then feel free to indulge for 90 minutes. I can't guarantee you won't be disappointed, but I can say it's so bad it's actually quite good!
Being a massive kung fu movie fan (having seen King Boxer in 1986 at the tender age of 10) I tried to rent out at least 2 movies a week. Luckily the shop I went into didn't really care that much about a video's 'rating', but then again even the very tamest martial arts movie seemed to incur an '18' certificate from the BBFC!! So I was watching 'proper' kung fu films, whilst my friends thought the fight scenes in the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles cartoon were the absolute be all and end all!
So, what's Death Cage like then, coming from someone who has watched at least 1000 kung fu films over the years....?
Well, it's extremely disappointing.
I didn't get to see it back in the day, although I remember the trailer (now nearly 27 years later), and it must have shown somethings that stuck in my mind. The version I just finished watching was clearly not the same one that was floating about back then over here in England. This one was widescreen, and was dubbed into Cantonese (which always makes Caucasian actors look hilarious), and so was probably closer to the version shown in Hong Kong.
The main plot it cliché-ridden. Good, moralistic kung fu teacher has young and precocious student. They fall foul of a rival martial arts school, run by some very out of place 'white folk', who effectively cheat to win the opening battle of the movie, and cripple the teacher, and badly injure the student.
Cue soul searching, training with another (related) kung fu teacher (who gets killed.... Natch), leading up to the big finale. Throw in a very forced love triangle between young student and both the teacher's daughters (yawn), and it's nothing you've not seen done better many times in the past.
However.... It is actually worth watching. The fight scenes are quit dynamic, and the 2 on 1 girl fight is a definite highlight. I can't speak for the English dub, of course, but if it's as comedic as the Cantonese attempt, it is surely an absolute classic.
Clearly filmed on a budget of about £10, the sets look like they'll blow away in the wind, but the location filming is better than most.
Overall, if you can find this movie (it is on YouTube at present (26/02/16)), then feel free to indulge for 90 minutes. I can't guarantee you won't be disappointed, but I can say it's so bad it's actually quite good!
Wu ye lan hua
(1983)
No Ninjas, and no one is alone!! Plenty of warriors though!!
17 November 2005
This is truly an inspirational film for those who want to know what makes a good kung fu film. Nonsensical plot, bad dubbing, hilarious villains, sound effects which are so overused in every other kung fu film you should be able to mimic them perfectly by now.
As the other review captures the plot well I will simply add my own personal views on this film.
As someone who collects kung fu films, i disagree with the notion the film is from 1981. It must have been made far earlier than that. The actors used, the stilted choreography and even those doing the dubbing are from the early 70's. It's funny how you can age a film by knowing who was doing the dubbing at various points in the history of kung fu films!! As a sad note, when i was younger my friends an I took 'kung fu names' to use when we were out together. Mine was Snowywhite, and to this day friends will see me and shout 'evening Snowy' across a crowded bar. Still puts a smile on my face, even after nearly 16 years!
As the other review captures the plot well I will simply add my own personal views on this film.
As someone who collects kung fu films, i disagree with the notion the film is from 1981. It must have been made far earlier than that. The actors used, the stilted choreography and even those doing the dubbing are from the early 70's. It's funny how you can age a film by knowing who was doing the dubbing at various points in the history of kung fu films!! As a sad note, when i was younger my friends an I took 'kung fu names' to use when we were out together. Mine was Snowywhite, and to this day friends will see me and shout 'evening Snowy' across a crowded bar. Still puts a smile on my face, even after nearly 16 years!
The films which finally woke up the West
20 February 2005
If you are a fan of Hong Kong action films and you haven't seen this i would suggest you track a copy down right now.
As an opening paragraph it sums up the importance of this landmark title. Conceived by its' makers as a production to rival Western films for technical (behind the camera) as well as beating them technically in front as well.
Although it fails to rival the level of sophistication with its' effects (due to bane of all Hong Kong films, its' limited budget)to match those of Hollywood films of its' time is irrelevant, it looks and feels so Far Eastern as well as using cutting edge (for 1982)it is simply unique.
The story is set in mythical times in China, where constant wars threaten to consume everyone, soldier or otherwise. One such soldier (ably played by Yuen Biao) manages to alienate himself from his commanders and ends up getting lost in the mystical region of Zu, fabled for its' magic mountain.
He becomes embroiled in a quest to find a pair of magical swords to kill a blood demon which threatens the whole of humanity. The blood demon draws its' power from pain and suffering and there is enough in the world to allow it to destroy all mankind.
The film contains so much energy, unparallelled visual flair and a cast which has the skill and experience to make it all work. The directors' vision and imagination are easy to see and appreciate, if you take the time to look. It is too easy to watch the action and miss the subtleties. It is a film which is difficult to describe, but unforgettable once watched.
As an opening paragraph it sums up the importance of this landmark title. Conceived by its' makers as a production to rival Western films for technical (behind the camera) as well as beating them technically in front as well.
Although it fails to rival the level of sophistication with its' effects (due to bane of all Hong Kong films, its' limited budget)to match those of Hollywood films of its' time is irrelevant, it looks and feels so Far Eastern as well as using cutting edge (for 1982)it is simply unique.
The story is set in mythical times in China, where constant wars threaten to consume everyone, soldier or otherwise. One such soldier (ably played by Yuen Biao) manages to alienate himself from his commanders and ends up getting lost in the mystical region of Zu, fabled for its' magic mountain.
He becomes embroiled in a quest to find a pair of magical swords to kill a blood demon which threatens the whole of humanity. The blood demon draws its' power from pain and suffering and there is enough in the world to allow it to destroy all mankind.
The film contains so much energy, unparallelled visual flair and a cast which has the skill and experience to make it all work. The directors' vision and imagination are easy to see and appreciate, if you take the time to look. It is too easy to watch the action and miss the subtleties. It is a film which is difficult to describe, but unforgettable once watched.
Legendary Weapons of China
(1982)
Missed the point
15 October 2004
The last reviewer of this film missed the point. This film is excellent and the last 30 minutes contains some of the best martial arts action committed to film. Yes, the plot is ridiculous and the dubbing makes everyone sound like a porn star but you don't watch kung fu films for the acting skill and production values. You watch them for escapism and entertainment.
The story itself is about the rise of the gun in china and the director, who also stars, attempting to show how pointless it was to fight the evil of the gun.
Lei Kung is a martial arts master whose speciality is 'pugilism'(i suppose it was easier to dub that word than what the real skill is called), which is basically invulnerability to conventional weapons (swords, knives, blades etc). He decided to dissolve his sect within the school he taught in to protect his students. He was forced to do this as his superiors were ordering other sect to practice 'pugilism' with the proviso of ultimately being able to withstand bullets.
So now it is several years later, Lei Kung is hiding out as a woodcutter, and the bad guys send some martial arts experts to seek him out and kill him. At first we know of three: Ti Hau, the best student of a master who teaches partial invulnerability and techniques to confuse the enemy. Chao Ching, who is a woman, but who dresses as a man to mingle with the populace. She can see how attempting to overcome the gun with 'pugilism' is pointless and wants to join Lei Kung. Finally there is Ti Tan, another master 'pugilist'.
While they are searching another man whose name is not revealed is searching for Lei Kung. His skill seems to be based on hypnotism, and dolls. He hypnotises a person, then uses a doll to control their movements, thus having someone fight for him.
Ti Hau ends up getting ill whilst searching, but is saved be Lei Kung who nurses him back to help with Chau Ching's help. She convinces Lei Kung that she wants to help, but doubts if they can convince Ti Hau when he gets better. It does not matter ultimately, because the other mysterious fighter tracks Lei Kung down. They fight, but Lei kung is well out of practice and is defeated easily. But the mysterious bad guy is Lei Kung's brother, Lei Yung who explains that he was also given the order to kill but can't kill his own brother. He suggests that Lei Kung begins to proactive again to recover his strength and power. That way he can defend himself against other killers who are after him.
Hi trains hard, and starts to get his power back. But Ti Tan turns up and starts to kick off. Ti Hau tries to explain that Lei Kung is a woodcutter who only knows basic kung fu taught to him by Chau Ching. Ti Tan is not convinced and begins his attack. Chau ching defends but is no match, neither is Ti Hau. So it is time for Lei Kung o flex hi muscles. He fights and in doing so speeds up his strength recovery. He defeats Ti Tan, but in doing so let's it slip that he really is Lei kung. Ti Hau runs off, not knowing what to do, he has witnessed Lei Kungs far superior martial skill and is unsure of how to proceed. Ti Hau returns that night, using his skills he tries to convince Lei Kung and Chau Ching that he has gathered many men, but they are dummies and Lei Kung sees through the deception. But it is not Ti Hau but his master who is attacking. Another great fight scene follows with Ti Hau turning up half way through and his own teacher turning on him when he realises he cannot kill Lei Kung. In trying to kill his student, he shows Ti Hau that there is more to life than killing and his own life is worth something. This is the reason Lei Kung disbanded his school, to protect his students who he knew would die if they tried to withstand the gun. Lei Kung defeats Ti Haus' master who then tries to kill himself. Ti Hau stops him, and his teacher also sees that perhaps his way of life is wrong, and his pupil's lives are not expendable. He leaves suggesting Ti Hau remain to carry on training and learning with Lei Kung and Chau Ching. Lei Kung walks off and dusts off his 'holy robes' explaining that he has to go to the city temple to see his brother. He explains that his brother is not really going to let him walk away, but wanted him to train up and face him in a duel to the death. He takes his 2 new students with him, and then fights his brother using weapons combat in some of the most amazing choreography i have seen in a kung fu film. He defeats his brother who he then tells to go back and report that he killed him. His brother is left broken, finally realising that personal glory is no substitute for having a rich and meaningful life.
The story itself is about the rise of the gun in china and the director, who also stars, attempting to show how pointless it was to fight the evil of the gun.
Lei Kung is a martial arts master whose speciality is 'pugilism'(i suppose it was easier to dub that word than what the real skill is called), which is basically invulnerability to conventional weapons (swords, knives, blades etc). He decided to dissolve his sect within the school he taught in to protect his students. He was forced to do this as his superiors were ordering other sect to practice 'pugilism' with the proviso of ultimately being able to withstand bullets.
So now it is several years later, Lei Kung is hiding out as a woodcutter, and the bad guys send some martial arts experts to seek him out and kill him. At first we know of three: Ti Hau, the best student of a master who teaches partial invulnerability and techniques to confuse the enemy. Chao Ching, who is a woman, but who dresses as a man to mingle with the populace. She can see how attempting to overcome the gun with 'pugilism' is pointless and wants to join Lei Kung. Finally there is Ti Tan, another master 'pugilist'.
While they are searching another man whose name is not revealed is searching for Lei Kung. His skill seems to be based on hypnotism, and dolls. He hypnotises a person, then uses a doll to control their movements, thus having someone fight for him.
Ti Hau ends up getting ill whilst searching, but is saved be Lei Kung who nurses him back to help with Chau Ching's help. She convinces Lei Kung that she wants to help, but doubts if they can convince Ti Hau when he gets better. It does not matter ultimately, because the other mysterious fighter tracks Lei Kung down. They fight, but Lei kung is well out of practice and is defeated easily. But the mysterious bad guy is Lei Kung's brother, Lei Yung who explains that he was also given the order to kill but can't kill his own brother. He suggests that Lei Kung begins to proactive again to recover his strength and power. That way he can defend himself against other killers who are after him.
Hi trains hard, and starts to get his power back. But Ti Tan turns up and starts to kick off. Ti Hau tries to explain that Lei Kung is a woodcutter who only knows basic kung fu taught to him by Chau Ching. Ti Tan is not convinced and begins his attack. Chau ching defends but is no match, neither is Ti Hau. So it is time for Lei Kung o flex hi muscles. He fights and in doing so speeds up his strength recovery. He defeats Ti Tan, but in doing so let's it slip that he really is Lei kung. Ti Hau runs off, not knowing what to do, he has witnessed Lei Kungs far superior martial skill and is unsure of how to proceed. Ti Hau returns that night, using his skills he tries to convince Lei Kung and Chau Ching that he has gathered many men, but they are dummies and Lei Kung sees through the deception. But it is not Ti Hau but his master who is attacking. Another great fight scene follows with Ti Hau turning up half way through and his own teacher turning on him when he realises he cannot kill Lei Kung. In trying to kill his student, he shows Ti Hau that there is more to life than killing and his own life is worth something. This is the reason Lei Kung disbanded his school, to protect his students who he knew would die if they tried to withstand the gun. Lei Kung defeats Ti Haus' master who then tries to kill himself. Ti Hau stops him, and his teacher also sees that perhaps his way of life is wrong, and his pupil's lives are not expendable. He leaves suggesting Ti Hau remain to carry on training and learning with Lei Kung and Chau Ching. Lei Kung walks off and dusts off his 'holy robes' explaining that he has to go to the city temple to see his brother. He explains that his brother is not really going to let him walk away, but wanted him to train up and face him in a duel to the death. He takes his 2 new students with him, and then fights his brother using weapons combat in some of the most amazing choreography i have seen in a kung fu film. He defeats his brother who he then tells to go back and report that he killed him. His brother is left broken, finally realising that personal glory is no substitute for having a rich and meaningful life.
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