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Cast:
Liu
Chia Liang
Jacky
Wu Jing
Shannon
Yao Yao
Chi
Kuan Chun
Chiang
Chun Wan
Lau
Wing Kin
Gordon
Liu Chia Hui
Li
Hai Tao
Action:
Liu
Chia Liang
Lau
Kar Wing
Producer:
Mona
Fong
Director:
Liu
Chia Liang
Score:
  
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DRUNKEN
MONKEY
AKA:
Iron Monkey 3
Year:
2003 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
It's
finally arrived. Liu Chia Liang's eagerly awaited return to
film-making after a near decade absence finally hits DVD.
Although Liu's reputation as a martial arts director is
practically unrivalled, his name has slowly slid into the the
annuls of history as newer fans barely recognise his name.
Those who have had a longer association with the Jade Screen
undoubtedly wanted a film from the kung fu auteur to banish
memories of the tepid 'Drunken
Master 3' and remind them of Liu's former glory. While
it's certainly better than his last foray into film-making,
the results do not herald a revival of his greatness.
Bill
(Liu Chia Liang) is the upright head of a revered transport
convoy who deliver goods across China. He's also one of the
few masters of Drunken Monkey kung fu, a fact that adds to his
fame. Unknown to Bill though, his supposedly loyal 'brother'
Pao is using the team as a front to deliver opium for corrupt
businessman Yu (Chi Kuan Chun). When Bill finds out, he is
naturally indignant and is only prevented from dragging Pao to
the police station by the tearful pleas of the criminal's
family. Pao repays Bill's act of kindness with a vicious
ambush which sees an army of assailants attacking Bill and
eventually killing him - at least that's what they think. One
year later, two rich youngsters enter Canton after one of them
is sent there to school and the other decides to
accompany the family. There is an ulterior motive, though, as
both Ka Yip and his young granduncle Tak have heard of famous
Drunken Monkey exponent Bill and are desperate to finish off
their studies of kung fu with him. At first their search
proves to be fruitless and they resign themselves to never
meeting the man who they are unaware is missing presumed dead.
After an encounter with young Monkey Kung Fu stylist Mandy,
Tak follows her and, to his surprise, discovers Bill is still
alive having been saved by her kindness. Though Bill now lives
in seclusion, Tak and Ka Yip travel to his new remote home and
shower him with gifts in an attempt to be accepted as
students. Their bribery fails, but their activities do alert
Pao - now a powerful opium dealer - who decides to send a team
of assassins to finish the job he started a year earlier.
Though Bill survives, both Tak and Ka Yip are badly injured
and Mandy is kidnapped, then drugged with opium. With his past
catching up with him and knowing there is no longer a place to
hide, Bill finally decides to take the two aspiring pupils on
and teach them his wondrous skills.
'Drunken
Monkey' is a good film, but a muddled one. Borrowing the
iconography commonly used in Westerns, mixing it together with
a very traditional storyline and then making obvious allusions
to his own masterpiece, 'Mad
Monkey Kung Fu', Liu Chia Liang seems confused as to which
direction the film should head in. The film starts
promisingly; Liu recalls his heady days by opening the film
with a demonstration of the eponymous style on a soundstage,
then switches to a very atmospheric use of location to begin
his story. Liu Chia Liang's ability to compose each frame with
care remains present in this early portion of the film and the
first ten minutes give indication of a very intriguing
narrative. Unfortunately matters don't build on these
strengths and after Bill disappears, the storyline tends to
drag. The newcomers are adequate in their parts, but don't
have the same charisma as many of the old Shaw Brothers' stars
- the under-developed characterisation certainly doesn't help
them in this regard. There is also a problem with continuity
in the film; though it is supposedly set in 1950s China, some
of the fashions and set-designs are far too modern looking to
fully convince. These problems hinder any potential the
production has of being a return to the great Shaw Brothers
films of the 70s and fail to show Liu Chia Liang's true worth
as not just an auteur of kung fu films, but also an
exceptional cinematic craftsman.
It's
pleasing to report that 'Drunken Monkey' definitely has
moments that shine through despite its obvious failings. Most
pertinently is the flowing, gimmick-free action that Liu Chia
Liang carefully choreographs. After years of
computer-enhancement and camera tricks, Liu Chia Liang recalls
the era when the performers were actually adept at the
physicality they frequently display and, though there are
exceptions, the fight scenes are a real breath of fresh air.
Director Liu allows such veterans as Liu Chia Hui and Chi Kuan
Chun opportunities to show how little the years have eroded
their superior skills; the latter in particular shines as the
heinous Yu and enjoys a scene-stealing chance. 'Drunken
Monkey' is a pleasure to behold in these moments and the
difficulties of the rest of the film are forgotten when the
action takes centre stage.
Liu
Chia Liang's return to film-making is partly worth the wait,
but mostly disappointing. The choreography is refreshing and
innovative though the storyline is badly developed and cannot
fall back on well-written characters. As some have indicated,
the way the plot is put together is a reminder of a less
sophisticated 70s kung fu production rather than a typical
work of Liu Chia Liang Nonetheless, 'Drunken Monkey' is
perhaps a hint that 'The Pops' has not lost his aptitude and
may even claw back his oft forgotten reputation. A three star
film with an extra half star for the action.
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