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Cast:
Jackie
Chan
Lung
Jun-Er
Dean
Shek
James
Tien
Kam
Kong
Action:
Jackie
Chan
Producer:
Hsu
Li Hwa
Director:
Chan
Chi Hwa
Score:
 
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HALF
A LOAF OF KUNG FU
AKA:
Karate Bomber
Year:
1978 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Before
'Snake
In The Eagle's Shadow' popularised kung-fu comedy in Hong
Kong cinema, Half A Loaf Of Kung-Fu focused on what would be
the next big thing on the Jade Screen. Jackie Chan takes the
lead role as a hopeless buffoon who dreams of being a kung-fu
fighter, but is considerably short of his goal. Instead he
must rely on the scraps of knowledge he's thrown by the
various characters he meets on his travels. After a chance
encounter means he is passed off as the famous 'Whip Hero',
Chan is sent on a mission to guard a convoy that is carrying a
valuable cargo across China. Gradually, Chan finds that his
kung-fu knowledge is increasing and, with the help of a
wandering beggar, he finds that he's reached a competent
level. These new-found skills come in very handy when he is
drawn into a series of showdowns with the countless bandits
who are tracking the cargo and planning an attack.
By
no means a classic, 'Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu' is still an
undemanding and quite enjoyable early Chan film. The comedy
that punctuates the film is messy and scattershot as is the
action, but the film retains a pleasant experimental flavour
and when put into its historical context it is quite unconventional.
It's likely that Chan fans who are used to his Hollywood
efforts will be totally alienated by the film, but for
seasoned Hong Kong film fans it's a bit more comprehendible.
One point of particular interest is the excellent credit
sequence; long before Chow Sing-Chi, Jackie Chan provides a
superb lampoon of kung-fu films that remains amusing today.
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