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Starring
:
Gordon
Liu Chia Hui
Wang
Lung Wei
Hsaio
Hou
Hui
Ying Hung
Kwon
Young Moon
Action
:
Liu
Chia Liang
Producer
:
Run
Run Shaw
Mona
Fong
Director
:
Liu
Chia Liang
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RETURN
TO THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN (1980)
A.K.A.
- Return Of The Master Killer; Master Killer 2
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
As
with many directors who pride themselves on expanding the
genre they've chosen to operate within, Liu Chia Liang has
never really been at home with the idea of sequels. After his
debut feature 'Spiritual Boxer' performed well at the local
box-office, Liang was later persuaded to make his first sequel
and, to his credit, he threw all his energy into it. With the
stunning impact that 'The
36th Chamber Of Shaolin' made in the late 70's, it was
only a matter of time before he was coaxed into filming
another follow-up. Once again though, Liang avoided the easy
option of a virtual remake of the original and instead
presented the audience with a very different creation.
When
a new dye factory run by the Manchu powers opens in a busy
town, the former peace and calm is shattered. The Manchus take
over the local rivals and use their cruel dominance to squeeze
yet more work out of the locals. After a strike by these
workers results in their beating by the hired lackies, one of
their friends is persuaded to intervene. This con-artist
decides to impersonate legendary Shaolin monk San-Te and scare
the oppressors with a series of misleading tricks designed to
give the impression of kung-fu excellence. The hoax
works once, but is then exposed by one of the Manchus top
fighters who has been called in to handle the situation. The
dye factory workers are now in a worse position than before
and are left nursing their wounds after this severe
humiliation. Enraged by how helpless he feels, the exposed
impersonator decides to go to the Shaolin temple to try an
emulate the real San-Te. Once again using his deceptive skills
to get into the temple, the eager student observes the rigorous
training that all of the new fighters go through. However,
when he is exposed by the head monks and is therefore required
to plead his case, he is put to work within the temple to make
up for his deceit. Little does he realise that this seemingly
unimportant manual work is in fact developing him into a
formidable fighter.
As
was said earlier, 'Return To The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin' is a
very different from the original. Thankfully though, this is
another classic from the Shaw Brothers stable. Liu Chia Liang
utilises the popular sub-genre of kung-fu comedy to maximum
effect making sure that both parts of the equation are fully
used. The comedy is the typical Hong Kong broad humour that,
when done well, always manages to bring a smile to the face;
it certainly proves adequate in achieving this goal. Most
importantly the action is of the high standard that is
expected from such a tremendous choreographer. Liu Chia Liang
makes sure that the series of fights that frequent the story
are not only fresh, but also expertly performed. This is well
showcased in the exiting finish to the production where heroic
Liu Chia Hui faces a posse of antagonists in an intricate
battle.
'The
36th Chamber Of Shaolin' was a definite achievement in the
genre, but this follow-up has its own charm as well. Perhaps
over-looked because of the comedy, this remains a formidable
piece of entertainment.
Rating:
 
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