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LAST
HERO IN CHINA
AKA:
Deadly Hero ||
Claws Of Steel
Year:
1993 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
With
the sudden explosion in new-wave kung-fu production following
the success of Tsui Hark's 'Once Upon A Time In China' films,
it was to be expected that one of Hong Kong's most commercial
directors would want a slice of the action. Therefore Wong
Jing managed to assemble a quality unit for this pseudo-parody
of the on-going Wong Fei Hung saga.
Jet
Li reprises the role that he had made his own at the Golden
Harvest studios and now lends those praised qualities to a
very different heroic adventure for the Chinese hero. After
the post-credits intrigue that shows the evil slave traders in
action, the film concentrates on Wong Fei Hung's skilful capture of three members of the Boxer Society in a local
railway station. Having calmly defended the innocent and
defeated his foes, Wong returns to a very crowded Po Chi Lam
that has expanded due to his ever-increasing fame. The only
possible solution to this is the re-location of the practice
to bigger premises. One such venue seems ideal as it is cheap
and the business next door seems especially friendly to all
the students. Only after closer inspection does Wong Fei Hung
discover that his beloved Po Chi Lam has moved next door to a
brothel - certainly not appropriate for his newly-found
society for moral reform. Alongside this embarrassing incident
is the arrival of a father/daughter team of street performers
who have travelled with much more on their mind. Their mission
is to find out what has happened to one of their relatives who
was apparently kidnapped by slave traders. When Wong Fei Hung
learns of these wicked activities in his town, he vows to help
without fully realising how wide-ranging the corruption is. In
fact the new local law-enforcer may well be one of the twisted
criminals most powerful members.
As
this is a Wong Jing film there is the expected amount of
over-the-top humour and parodies. Though this is more
effective than usual, it does seem very uncomfortable when
it's mixed with the dramatic elements. Seeing Jet Li play his
Wong Fei Hung role straight among a cast who are clearly
playing to the outrageous parts of the script is quite
confusing to watch and takes away any credibility from the
storyline. On the good side though, the Yuen Woo Ping handled
action is superb and shows a pleasingly restrained attitude to
wirework. Jet Li enjoys another physical outing with constant
opportunities to show the audience what he is capable of.
Unfortunately this these integral parts of the film also
suffer at times with some absurd touches occasionally spoiling the fight action and Lion dances.
'Last
Hero In China' is still enjoyable enough to warrant a
recommendation; Cheung Man and veteran kung fu stars Alan Hsu,
Leung Kar Yan and Liu Chia Hui makes sure that this is the
case. However, it just appears that Wong Jing wanted to please
everyone by cramming the storyline with action, crazed
innuendo and sudden plot twists. This directorial confusion
spoils the chances of this being anything special. Four stars,
but three-and-a-half is much closer to the truth.
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