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Cast:
Liu
Chia Liang
Hsiao
Hou
Lo
Lieh
Hui
Ying Hung
Action:
Liu
Chia Liang
Producer:
Mona
Fong
Director:
Liu
Chia Liang
Score:
 
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MAD
MONKEY KUNG FU
AKA:
Mad Monkey
Year:
1979 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Director
Liu Chia Liang gives audiences another fight-filled treat with
this excellent Shaw Brothers film. Here though, viewers get to
see Liu Chia Liang himself in the lead role and even the
traditional revenge narrative that fuels many kung-fu films is
given a much needed injection by the experienced director.
Liu
Chia Liang plays Chen, a skilled stage performer who is also
noted for his expertise in Monkey style kung fu. One night
Chen is invited for dinner by a secretly jealous rival Tuen (Lieh)
and so the well-respected performer accepts this invite,
attending the function with his sister. Tuen plies Chen with
wine until he is drunk and tricks his guest into thinking that
he has attacked Tuen's concubine. Repaying this supposed
action, Tuen takes the innocent rival's sister as a concubine
and orders Chen's hands to be broken. Thinking that he is
guilty and therefore deserving of punishment, Chen agrees to
these measures and, after the blows are dealt, he is thrown
out onto the street. Now a dishevelled street entertainer,
Chen is forced to perform for scraps and sinks lower and lower
into the depths of depression. The gloom is slightly lifted
when he meets a boisterous, yet well-meaning petty thief named
Monkey who uses his wiles to steal what he can from the
affluent. The pair are still on the receiving end of countless
hardships with local bullies beating Monkey severely and
destroying what little self-respect Chen has for himself by
ruining his chances to perform. When Monkey discovers his
new-friend's real identity though, he asks to be taught Monkey
style kung fu to protect himself. Although Chen is reluctant
due to the trouble he believes he has caused, he eventually
agrees and puts the aptly named Monkey through suitably
torturous training routines. Monkey soon becomes a capable
fighter and defeats the local bullies who've oppressed him for
years, finally proving himself more than just the town joke.
Unfortunately, Monkey is captured by Tuen who now resides as
the corrupt and powerful gang leader of the town; while being
held prisoner, Monkey discovers his master's innocence and
Tuen's devious plans. Chen's sister manages to free Monkey,
but she herself is killed when she attempts to escape from
Tuen's wicked intentions. With vengeance in mind, Monkey and
Chen march to their enemy's home for the inevitable showdown
where the truth is finally revealed.
As
director, Liu Chia Liang takes a common theme and adds depth
to the film, further enhancing his glowing reputation. This is
achieved by his concentration on the master/student dynamic
and the gradual relationship the two form; the chemistry and
three-dimensional friendship between the two is a strong line
of this fine film. As leading man Liu Chia Liang gives a very
polished performance, making the tortured aspects of the
character come to life. The real discovery of the film though
is Hsiao Hou as Monkey. The talented performer is an appealing
actor and also among the most gifted acrobats to appear on the
screen making his Monkey kung fu style a stunning feature of
the film. Simply put then, 'Mad Monkey Kung Fu' features an
excellent cast, first-rate action, an absorbing plot and a
powerful soundtrack - more than enough reasons to recommend
this to any true film fan.
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