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Cast:
Cynthia
Khan
Waise
Lee
Yen
Shi Kwan
Choy
Fat
Chong
Fat
Action:
Choy
Fat Stuntgroup
Producer:
Choy
Fat
Director:
Choy
Fat
Score:
 
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THE
13 COLD-BLOODED EAGLES
AKA:
The Thirteen Cold-Blooded Eagles
Year:
1993 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
A
diverting low-budget feature made during the 90's new-wave
kung-fu boom. The 13 cold-blooded eagles are a group of
highly-skilled assassins who carry out the bidding of their mysterious
leader who is known as the Foster Father. This
brooding leader gives them the task of protecting the clan
from the various enemies that infest the martial world and are
intent on ruling it at their expense. One such mission sees
the team sent out to recover the 'Skills Book' which features
the ultimate secrets of martial arts and makes the recipient
practically invincible. With the Eagles doing his bidding, the
Foster Father gains the book and also uses his warriors to
defeat the powerful Shin Shu monster who stands as a constant
threat to him; now he rules the martial world. However, one of
the Eagles realises that the Foster Father has evil intentions
and will happily kill anyone who gets in his way including
those of his own clan. After teaming up with a beautiful
swordswoman (Khan), it is up to the warrior to stop his former
benefactor and bring peace to the martial world.
This
straight-forward storyline was later to be resurrected in the
blockbuster film 'The
Storm Riders' and like its big-budget counterpart, 'The 13
Cold-Blooded Eagles' is an entertaining production. Whereas
'The Storm Riders' utilised extensive CGI effects, 'The 13
Cold-Blooded Eagles' uses classical wire-fu with acrobatic,
gravity defying swordplay the order of the day. These battles
are really what make the film enjoyable and the inventiveness
they display make up for the many weaknesses in the plot.
Director Choy Fat has shown in the past that narratives are
not his strong point and once again this is a convoluted and
confusing affair. However, for those seeking a fast-paced
fantasy film with no pretensions, 'The 13 Cold-Blooded Eagles'
fits the bill very well and, while not comparable to genre
classics like 'Swordsman
II', is worth a look.
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