The Killer Meteors (1976, HK/Taiwan)

Starring: Jimmy Wang Yu, Jackie Chan, Lan Liu-li. Directed by: Lo Wei

"The Killer Meteors" is a movie that has, in the various Western video and DVD releases, been marketed as a movie with Jackie Chan as the main star. This is not exactly true. Jimmy Wang Yu is actually the star of this movie and Jackie was given a secondary role since Wang Yu was one of the big martial arts movie stars in Hong Kong at the time and "Jacky" (as he was known at the time) was still struggling to get his career going.

In "The Killer Meteors", Wang Yu plays the Killer Meteor Mei Sin Her, who is a master of both kung fu and the Killer Meteor, which is a weapon well-known and feared all over China. Master Mei is so feared that men get down on their knees, cut their fingers off, and beg for mercy just so he will spare their lives!

Jackie (in a rare villainous role) plays the Immortal Meteor Wa Wu-bin who believes his wife has poisoned him. He needs the antidote which, unfortunately for him, is in the hands of his scheming wife. Getting the antidote from his wife is going to be no easy matter because she has four kung fu masters serving as her bodyguards and the Immortal Meteor is in no condition to take them on. Therefore, he must get a little help from the Killer Meteor......

This movie is the big-screen adaptation of a novel from famed wuxia novelist Ku Feng, who is also credited for writing the screenplay for the movie. As is the case for the novel, there are many plot twists and turns and get ready for those before watching this movie! In fact you'll want to pay very close attention, especially at the end.

Also in a supporting role in this movie are Phillip Ko as Go Yuen So and Sit Hon as the Lightning Swordsman Wan Fong.

All in all this is an excellent old school kung fu/wuxia movie....as long as you keep in mind that it's a Wang Yu movie and not (quite) one starring Jackie Chan. As a matter of fact, Jackie only has one fight scene in the whole movie! Apart from this, the cast pulls the movie off very well and Wang Yu is in his prime as the Killer Meteor, who can kill his opponents (and "friends") with no mercy and do a bit of womanizing afterwards! This is a must-see if you are a fan of Wang Yu or Jackie Chan!

Also known as:風雨雙流星/Feng yu shuang liu xing (original Mandarin title-HK), Fung yu seung lau sing (original Cantonese title-HK), Wind, Rain, Two Meteors (literal English title-HK), Jackie Chan Versus Wang Wu (VCD title-Thailand), Tiger der Todesarena (West Germany), Anikitos aetos tou karate/Oi ongolithoi tou kung fu (Greek VHS and DVD titles respectively), Meteoro inmortal (Spain), Karate Death Squad (bootleg title-US)

The Screaming Tiger (1973, Taiwan/HK)

Starring: Wang Yu, Chang Ching Ching, Lung Fei. Directed by: Lung Chien(?)

This is an excellent kung-fu movie from Wang Yu and co. It was beautifully filmed in the Japanese countryside, features some decent acting and excellent kung-fu, and a complex storyline.

In "The Screaming Tiger," Wang Yu plays a Chinese kung-fu fighter who goes to Japan to avenge the massacre of his village at the hands of some Japanese "pirates" (aka a karate school). He seeks out this particular karate school and along the way meets some friends: a Chinese girl (Chang) who was brought to Japan and raised as a Japanese, a Korean man who is himself out for vengeance, and a man wearing a basket who he encounters from time to time and whom advises him not to continue on his campaign for vengeance.

This film contains many hidden subtleties you have to watch for carefully. That is, the subject of human emotions such as love, hate, and the desire for revenge.

If you are a Wang Yu fan or just like an old-school kung-fu movie that features a little more than just fighting, you might want to check this one out.

Also known as: Tang ren piao ke (Taiwan, original title), Tong yan piu haak (HK Cantonese title), Screaming Ninja (international title), Wang Yu, King of Boxers (unknown), Ten Fingers of Steel (international title)

Blood of the Dragon (1973, HK; 1978, USA. Also 1971, Taiwan?)

Starring: Wang Yu, Chiao Chiao. Directed by: Ko Pao-Shu

This is one of Wang Yu's best movies and an all-around good - and bloody - wuxia movie. In this movie, two rebels (one of whom is played by the director herself) are killed. Before dying, one makes his way to the nearest town and gives a list containing the names of virtually all the rebels resisting Mongol rule to a young orphan. The orphan must take this list to the rebel prince, but with the Mongols combing the countryside and desperate to get their hands on the list, he is going to need help! He gets this help from White Dragon (Wang Yu), a wushu/kung fu expert who also finds his true calling along the way.

This movie was put together very well and the fight scenes are awesome and well-choreographed! The American version of this movie features a soundtrack by a '70s rock band from Atlanta called Flood, which makes the movie even more intense.

It's also worth mentioning that the 1978 American version had two bloody dismemberment and impalement scenes cut, but it would seem that in recent years, the original uncut version with those two scenes intact has been resurfacing on DVD.

All in all, this is definitely a movie worth checking out!

Also known as: Zhui Ming Qiang (original title)

Iron Fist Adventure (1972,Taiwan; 1975, HK?)

Starring: Wang Yu. Directed by: Lee Siu
This is a very rare Wang Yu movie and one that isn't too bad! It is also one of the few kung fu movies to take place in China's Northeast (Dongbei) region duiring the early 20th Century and one of a small number of movies besides "Joe Kidd" (a Clint Eastwood western) to feature the Mauser C-96 10-round automatic pistol. In fact, there are quite a few of those are used in the movie!

In "Iron Fist Adventure," Wang Yu plays T.S. Kwang, a man out for revenge after his master and members of his family were murdered some 10 years previously. Little does he know who was responsible...

This movie features a very complex (and honestly, sometimes confusing) storyline that is easier to understand if you know a little bit about the history of northeast China/Manchuria. However, if you're only watching this movie just to see Wang Yu's fight scenes, you won't be disappointed because they are pretty impressive!

If you are a fan of Wang Yu or just like rare kung fu movies, you'll probably want this one for your collection!

Also known as: The Iron Fist Adventures