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Starring
:
Gordon
Liu Chia Hui
Yuen
Siu Tien
Yukio
Mizuni
Yasuaki
Kurata
Wilson
Tong
Action
:
Liu
Chia Liang
Wilson
Tong
Producer
:
Run
Run Shaw
Mona
Fong
Director
:
Liu
Chia Liang
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SHAOLIN
CHALLENGES NINJA (1978)
A.K.A.
- Heroes Of The East; Shaolin Vs. Ninja
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
There's
a long cinematic tradition of Japanese villainy in Hong Kong
film-making. Famous productions like 'Fist
Of Fury' and 'One-Armed Boxer', not to mention scores of
lesser kung fu flicks, have all exploited the stereotyped
image of the evil, cackling Japanese tyrant. It's little
surprise that, when the usual image of this is changed,
martial arts director par excellence Liu Chia Liang has a
significant hand in it. After taking the generic conventions
and altering them so often before, Liang once again conjures
up a fresh classic from a seemingly ordinary root.
A
wealthy Chinese man (Liu Chia Hui) is 'persuaded' by his
family to marry a Japanese woman who he has never met in an
arranged ceremony. After initial annoyance he finally meets
her and, when enchanted by her beauty, happily goes along with
the marriage. Wedded life starts off well for the newlyweds
and there appears to be no clash of culture between them.
Unfortunately the status quo is unsettled when the man objects
to the harsh and aggressive martial arts style that his wife
passionately practices. During their argument about which
country has the better martial arts, the wife is soundly
beaten in a sparring match and travels back to Japan.
Persuaded to send a letter explaining the roots of all martial
arts, the jilted husband is shocked to find that his good
intentions have been misconstrued as a challenge to the
Japanese. A team of Japanese fighters - masters of different
disciplines - therefore arrive at the home of their perceived
threat and decide to prove once and for all whose martial arts
are better, China's or Japan's.
From
a basic premise that is deceptively clever, Liu Chia Liang
crafts a martial arts film that is based on cultural
misunderstanding rather than clichéd tensions. Liang makes
sure that, although the Chinese kung fu styles gain victory
eventually, the result is that both parties can better
appreciate each other's roots. With such a subtle yet
effective conclusion to the film, Liang manages to turn the
usual misconceptions on their head and add another outstanding
production to the genre. In addition to this wonderful touch,
this is perhaps the only kung-fu film where nobody is
seriously hurt let alone killed, even though the action is
spellbinding. These two notable plus points again remind all
that Liu Chia Liang is a criminally underrated auteur. Gordon
Liu Chia Hui enjoys a more relaxed lead role than usual as the
troubled husband, but still demonstrates immense skill in the
varied bouts. Whether it be with tonfa or traditional Chinese
sword, Hui is assured and captivating.
'Shaolin
Challenges Ninja' starts relatively slowly, but when the
storyline develops beyond the basic exposition, this is
another kung fu treat from 'The Pops'.
Rating:
 
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