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Cast:
Andy
Lau
Joey
Wong
Natalis
Chan
Yuen
Wah
Action:
Yuen
Wah
Producer:
Charles
Heung
Director:
Taylor
Wong
Score:
 
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KUNG FU
VS. ACROBATIC
AKA:
Kung-Fu Versus Acrobat ||
Fai & Chi: Kings of Kung Fu
Year:
1990 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
After
years of viewing Hong Kong films it soon becomes apparent that
there are two cinematic camps that most productions fall into.
Firstly, there are the Hong Kong films that are easily
accessible, readily enjoyed and almost certain to appeal to
newcomers; in here you'd find 'Police
Story', 'Dragons
Forever', 'A
Better Tomorrow', 'Fong
Sai Yuk' and the like - films that would be familiar in
construction and progression to Hollywood viewers. The next
camp is full of bizarre and mind-boggling films - some good,
some awful. Kung Fu vs. Acrobatic fits neatly into camp two
and one could only imagine what someone weened on 'Rush
Hour' and 'Enter
The Dragon' would make of it.
Andy
Lau and Natalis Chan are two friends who decide that, as
they're not getting any younger, this is the time to try and
make a fortune. With this in mind, they travel to China to
steal ancient treasures for prosperous re-sale in Hong Kong.
Instead of orthodox treasures, the two stumble upon a cave
inhabited by numerous statuesque figures - Joey Wong, Miu Siu
Wai, Yuen Wah and Chan Sing. The bumbling heroes accidentally
revive them after their 500 year rest and, knowing that Yuen
Wah isn't someone to be crossed, take the two ladies back to
Hong Kong. A peeved Yuen Wah sets off in pursuit.
As
has been said, 'Kung Fu vs. Acrobatic' is bizarre. Very
importantly though, it is also an entertaining and pleasantly
silly film. Andy Lau makes the most of his romantic lead and
is given the delectable Joey Wong as his love interest -
alongside some very strange special powers. Depending on what
environment he's put in, Natalis Chan can be either annoying
or watchable and thankfully it's very much the latter in this.
The film really works on a purely entertainment level and
seasoned Hong Kong film fans will probably be entertained by
magical kicks, super-powerful laughs and an animated turtle.
Enjoyable buffoonery.
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