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Starring
:
Michelle
Reis
Cynthia
Khan
Lau
Suk Ming
Waise
Lee
Lau
Suen
Hui
Ying Hung
Lau
Siu Ming
Kuo
Chui
Action
:
Kuo
Chui
Tang
Tak Wing
Producer
:
Stephen
Shin
Director
:
Yu
Mang San
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ZEN
OF SWORD (1992)
A.K.A.
- Sword Of Zen
Reviewed
by Pat King
Cynthia
Khan cemented her name as the replacement for Michelle Khan
and starred in a number of modern day action fests including
the Yuen Woo Ping classics 'In
the Line of Duty 4:Witness' and 'Tiger
Cage2', more or less playing the same character. However
after D&B films went out of business Cynthia took a change
of direction to star in this new wave swordplay film sometimes
described as the follow up to the King Hu
classic 'A
Touch of Zen'. In the same year Khan also starred in
another new wave swordplay film '13
Cold Blooded Eagles' and 'Deadend of Besiegers' in which she got to showcase a more
traditional style of martial arts.
Khan
however shares the top billing with the 1989 Champion of Miss
Hong Kong Beauty Pageant Michelle Reis (sometimes credited as
Michelle Li, she is a native of Macao with Portuguese
extraction ). By this time Reis had already become used to the
new wave swordplay genre as she had already starred in the
classics 'A Chinese Ghost Story II' and 'Swordsman
II' . 'Zen of Sword' while not being up to the standard of
the two aforementioned films, is still a worthy addition to
the collection of new wave swordplay fans.
The
story is set in the dark age of Chinese history where the
Duke's fought each other for money and power, righteousness
and morality are in decline. Princess Choi Siu Ling (Michelle
Reis) with her two Generals Choi Siu Ching (Cynthia Khan) and
Lau Qun Hung (Waise Lee) are on the run from the Esoteric
Buddhism School (who covet the jade pipe Princess Choi is
carrying which contains mystical powers which will allow them
to recruit soldiers to take the kingdom, and also to take
revenge on the clan responsible for the evils against their
own). During a battle Qun Hung is captured and tortured. When
Princess Choi is bitten by a snake, she is rescued by the
Prince of the Esoteric Buddhism School Ha Hou (Lau Suen), who
then becomes enchanted by her. General Lau, now in league with
Ha Hou's Aunt (Hui Ying Hung), then returns to steal the jade
pipe but leaves with only a fake. The loyal General Choi,
having been separated from the Princess, enlists the help of
the God of War (Kuo Chui), and together they rescue the
Princess who has since been kidnapped by Ha Hou's Aunt. When
they all meet up with the Governor Tak Hong (Lau Siu Ming), a
plot ensues where the God of War is poisoned so that the
Princess is vulnerable. We are now treated to a number of plot
twists in which General Lau and Governor Tak try to obtain the
jade pipe. Meanwhile Ha Hou discovers that Choi Siu Ling is
Princess of the clan responsible for the massacre of his own,
and is now hell bent on taking revenge.
'Zen
of Sword' has plenty of plot twists, but not so much as to
make it convoluted. Performances are good, and the action
handled primarily by Kuo Chui pleases. As mentioned before it
is not among the elite of new wave swordplay films, but
however remains solid despite the modest budget. If you enjoy
the likes of 'New
Dragon Gate Inn' or 'Swordsman'
then this comes highly recommended.
Rating:
 
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