Hand of Death

52.000

Excellent early John Woo film loaded with kung fu stars and action. Dorian Tan is the main character here but Jackie Chan and Paul Chang team up with him to fight James Tien and his henchmen (led by Sammo Hung with buck-teeth). Both John Woo and Biao Yuen have bit parts too.

One of John Woo's first films, and a great one!

I hated this at first, but it slowly grew on me as it went along. The weirdly slow, clunky fight choreography seems awful towards the beginning but it makes sense after a while, and the final fights are pretty fun to watch (if hilarious at times, and I'm not sure if that was intentional). The plot, don't ask me what the hell was happening there. Pretty average, but worth your time.

Woo is still trying to find his form in this, but already his talents are evident; this one of the all-round better directed martial arts movies. Overal the movie is enjoyable, but alas also very forgettable, thanks for a large part to its bland hero. People interested in the evolution of its director and in lesser extent Jackie Chan should definitively seek this out, others can do lots worse also.

Not sure why Jackie's on the cover here with name so prominently displayed as he's a secondary character. Great direction elevates the film which wouldn't be too too special otherwise. Feels tense and exciting.

Badass bro cinema, pure and simple.