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Cast:
Chen
Muk Chuan
Chang
Yi
Sun
Rong Ji
Yue
Hwa
Eddie
Ko
Chan
Sing
Action:
Ma
Chun
Su
Chung Che
Producer:
Jim
Pung Chyn
Director:
Joe
Law Chi
Score:
  
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MONKEY
FIST, FLOATING SNAKE
AKA:
Monkey Kung Fu
Year:
1979 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Another
pale imitation of Jackie Chan's Seasonal hits and another cliché-ridden
kung fu comedy. This time, the focus is on the oft-ignored
Monkey style and the acrobatics that this entails.
The
film starts well with the usual style vs. style setting given
an historical context to potentially add another level of
depth the the proceedings. However, this proves to be nothing
more than a McGuffin as the feud scenario is dropped almost as
quickly as it is presented. Instead the main narrative drive
concentrates on a bullied orphan (now there's a surprise) who
divides his time between his menial tasks and trying to learn
kung fu. Every attempt to learn is thwarted by his tyrannical
classmates and arrogant instructor. However, the prospective
student meets a talented barber who helps him out in a
protracted street brawl and then takes the harassed youngster
under his wing. Meanwhile a new fighter arrives in town eager
to rule over the inhabitants and therefore sets about
defeating every master in his way. After a few encounters,
only the street barber and his new student are left in the
way; taking his gang of thugs along with him, the newcomer
decides to set up a showdown with the last rival. The ensuing
fight sees the antagonists soundly beaten and left nursing
their bruised pride. The fighter will not accept defeat though
and tries to learn a way to combat the hero's Monkey style.
Eventually, a re-match is organised, though this time it is
the student who must finally prove his worth and defeat the
determined challenger.
It's
not that 'Monkey Fist, Floating Snake' is a bad film - it's
just constantly uninspiring. After watching endless, mostly
average kung fu comedies, this follows exactly the same dull,
prosaic route to its eventual climax. As I've constantly said,
there are a number of classic kung fu comedies and they
usually manage to add a sufficient spark to both departments.
This is a film that begins with optimism only to quickly
revert to the old formula that had been so over-used. Another
slither of invention - the introduction of a self-righteous
fighter who constantly pretends that his skills are
extraordinary without ever lifting a finger - only to be
wasted again. On the plus side, there are a few well-designed
action sequences and the story moves along fairly well without
spending too much time on overlong set-pieces. Chang Yi also
provides the film with a suitable villain and it is his mature
presence that gives things a reasonable edge. The monkey style
is also pleasing to watch, though its use is unusually
restrained. Nevertheless, after watching so many kung fu
comedies, I always hope that I might uncover a hidden gem
among the genre. Unfortunately the majority are merely average
and add little significant to the Jade Screen.
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