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Starring
:
Fu
Sheng
Chang
Chan Peng
Wang
Lung Wei
Gordon
Liu Chia Hui
Liu
Chia Yung
Wilson
Tong
Action
:
Liu
Chia Yung
Producer
:
Mona
Fong
Director
:
Liu
Chia Yung
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TREASURE
HUNTERS (1982)
A.K.A.
- Master Of Disaster
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
This
energetic and thoroughly enjoyable kung-fu comedy combines the
legendary Fu Sheng with his real-life brother Chang Chan Peng.
The former stars as a wily kung-fu conman who uses all of his
skills to trick an important official of his wares during the
film's opening. Now on the run from the law, he runs into a
wealthy yet bored young socialite who wants the chance to
prove himself to his family. Bearing this in mind, the spoilt
son proposes a venture to his new associate: to find the
fabled treasure of Chan Po Chu and satisfy their respective
needs for wealth and acceptance. With a tenuous agreement put
into action, the two adventurers set out in search of the very
sought after treasure. Also hunting down the Chan Po Chu booty
is a small band of kung fu fighting monks and, the most
fearsome of all, the ruthless Lord Mo. Through a series of
intricate escapades and minor battles, the dynamic duo form a
unique bond that helps them in their final confrontation with
the dreaded Lord Mo. In the temple that is said to house Chan
Po Chu's legacy, the various parties reveal their motives and
the heroic forces are once and for all pitted against Lord Mo
and his deadly female cohort.
'Treasure
Hunters' is one of those unique films that looked as much fun
to make as it is to watch. Every member of the cast seems to
fully relish the role their given with leading lights Fu Sheng
and Liu Chia Hui really catching the eye. It's still poignant
to see the high level of skill with which Fu Sheng performed
his craft only a short time before his tragic death. In such
features as 'Shaolin Martial Arts', 'The Chinatown Kid' and 'Disciples
Of Shaolin' he showed his immense dramatic ability, but
here it's a joy to see the happy go-lucky side of his screen
persona. Had he lived, Fu Sheng could well have been one of
Hong Kong's best actors.
This
is importantly a kung fu comedy and within this sub-genre it
could certainly be considered a solid hit. The infectious
quality of the film's comedy is well coupled with the
blistering scenes of martial arts mayhem. With this in mind,
'Treasure Hunters' never has a dull moment and from the
opening credits to the very last kicks of the finale this is a
top-notch Shaw Brothers' film. The humour may be a bit too
broad for some and perhaps too pervasive, but it's very hard
not to be swept along by the sheer exuberance of the
production.
Rating:
 
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