Yet another great Chinese martial arts film from 88 Films is released, this time featuring mega-star David Chiang. Chiang was the first major star I became acquainted with after seeing him star alongside Ti Lung in DUEL OF THE IRON FIST. I knew then this was someone to watch.
SHAOLIN MANTIS stars Chiang as Wei Fung, a young scholar and martial arts master recruited by the Emperor to infiltrate the Tien Clan, a family that he suspects of supporting rebel group and those faithful to Ming becoming Emperor. To ensure that he follows through on this task he gives him a year to follow through while he continues to remove the stature of his family and at the end executing them.
Wei works his way into the family when he witnesses the youngest granddaughter of the clan, Tien Chi-Chi (Cecilia Wong), berating her teacher and kicking him out. Chi-Chi is a brat to end all brats, misbehaving and doing as she pleases while at the same time being the apple of her grandfather’s eye. When she asks her grandfather Tien (Lau Kar Wing) to take in Wei to be her new teacher he does so but remains suspicious of him.
Wei is able to contain Chi-Chi better than any of her previous teachers and eventually the two fall in love. Sadly Tien discovers who Wei is and plans to have him executed. Chi-Chi pleads for his life pledging her love for Wei. Tien considers what to do and tells them both that if they marry and Wei never leaves the family compound ever he will spare his life.
Remembering the promise the Emperor made concerning his family Wei decides that he must return to prevent them from being killed. Tien follows through with his threat and the only way the Wei and Chi-Chi can leave is by passing through the various uncles and their specialized techniques to finally leave. What happens following it tragedy on a grand scale
Perhaps more than any of the other releases 88 Films has offered this one contains the mix of humor and drama we’ve seen in some but not to this degree. The sequences between Chiang and Wong have a simplicity and playfulness that takes skill to make work just right. They do so with ease. As well as these comedic touches the tragedy that follows is equally strong, completely changing the tone of the film before the end pops up.
Directed by Lar Kar Leung, who most famously made THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN, this film features some stunning fight sequences that play into the storyline. Each battle takes on its own persona and makes for fascinating viewing. Couple that with Chiang’s dynamic acting and martial arts skills on display and you have a film worth seeking out. Thank goodness 88 Films has made it easy for fans to find.
Not only is the film presented in pristine restored HD presentation for the first time they’ve included several great extras as well. Those include a limited edition slipcase with brand new artwork by R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien, a double-sided A3 foldout poster, an audio commentary track with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, an audio commentary track with Asian cinema expert Frank Dieng, “Complicated Families” David West on SHAOLIN MANTIS, an interview with actor John Cheung by Frédéric Ambroisine, the US trailer and the Hong Kong trailer.
Yet
another in the series of martial arts masterpieces brought out as part of 88
Films Asian Collection that deserves to find a spot on the shelf of all martial
arts and action fans.
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