Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Return of the Scorpion (1979, HK)

Starring: Cliff Lok, Casanova Wong, Pomson Shi, Yin-Chieh Han. Directed by: Chuan Yang

This kung-fu movie is a remake of "Seven Samurai"...done kung-fu style.

In "Return of the Scorpion," a Japanese karate master is going around the Chinese countyside challenging - and completely obliterating - all the kung-fu schools and masters. It's up to seven remaining kung-fu masters to challenge this karate master and take him down. Each master is an expert of Monkey Fist, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, Five Fists, and other techniques.

This movie contains all the key elements of a good kung-fu movie. That is, excellent fight scenes, a unique storyline, and comradeship between the characters. As always, Cliff Lok and Casanova Wong's fight scenes in particular are excellent to watch and it's amazing to see all of the martial arts techniques used in this movie. There's also a good amount of humor (including one of the main characters having an "embarrassing accident" while fighting Casanova) and some trademark funny characters including an annoying "tea-boy" who thinks he's a kung-fu master and a ferryman who turns out to be more than what our heroes think he is.

This movie is pure delight for the kung-fu movie lover and a must-have, must-watch movie!

Also known as: Liu he qian shou (original title), Duel of the Seven Tigers (unknown), Return of Scorpion (unknown), Shadow of the Tigers. Also released in Spain in 1982 as "La furia de los siete tigres."

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