It’s time to take a look at one of the most obscure film industries: Taiwan. Yup, Taiwanese films can be quite odd. Some are powerful dramas (A City of Sadness, Eat Drink Man Woman), some are classic martial arts films (Shaolin Vs. Lama, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), and others are very unusual action movies (Fantasy Mission Force, Child of Peach). While some Taiwanese action movies are really annoying, others are incredibly entertaining (or both). It’s hard for me to resist some of these films. Some of these movies are far from as good as some of the Hong Kong movies that they might be inspired by, but still, they’re a lot of fun. Want proof? Just watch A Heroic Fight.
A gang boss tries teaming up with a rich businessman, named Brother Duh, to sell drugs, but Duh refuses. In response, the gang boss kidnaps Duh’s granddaughter, but Lin Hsiao Long (played by Lam Siu Lau) saves her. Lin Hsiao Long is an actor and stuntman who belongs to a family of special effects artists. Duh hires this family to help fake his death, but he’s betrayed by his own assistant, Wey (Dick Wei), who works with the drug dealers when Wey isn’t chosen to become Duh’s heir. Duh is held captive and it’s up to Hsiao Long to get him back. It’s essentially a remake of F/X (1986), but Taiwanese and with comedy.
A gang boss tries teaming up with a rich businessman, named Brother Duh, to sell drugs, but Duh refuses. In response, the gang boss kidnaps Duh’s granddaughter, but Lin Hsiao Long (played by Lam Siu Lau) saves her. Lin Hsiao Long is an actor and stuntman who belongs to a family of special effects artists. Duh hires this family to help fake his death, but he’s betrayed by his own assistant, Wey (Dick Wei), who works with the drug dealers when Wey isn’t chosen to become Duh’s heir. Duh is held captive and it’s up to Hsiao Long to get him back. It’s essentially a remake of F/X (1986), but Taiwanese and with comedy.
Since this is a product of its time (and country), it’s no surprise that this movie contains wires, under-cranked action, borderline annoying-as-hell characters, and crazy-looking villains. It also features many 80’s movie tropes including cringe-worthy costumes and dated music. Hell, there's even the Garfield phone from Ninja Terminator. Yup, this is an 80’s movie, but if you like these kind of movies, then you’ll enjoy this movie. If the 80’s gives you hives, then you might want to avoid this movie at all costs. Thankfully, I love the 80’s.
The action choreographed by Yuen Clan collaborator, Chiu Chung-Hing, are some of this film’s strong-points. Despite the sometimes noticeable under-cranking, these are the highlights of the film. There’s a terrific fight in which Hsiao Long rescues Duh’s granddaughter with a bike so cool that even Pee Wee Herman would be jealous. There’s a group fight which takes place in the special effects artists’ lair. And probably my favorite scene is the scene in which Hsiao Long tries to rescue Duh from Wey and his men. These scenes are exceptionally fun thanks to its creative use of wires, gadgets, and acrobatics. Unrealistic? Yeah. Fun to watch? Yeah!
The action choreographed by Yuen Clan collaborator, Chiu Chung-Hing, are some of this film’s strong-points. Despite the sometimes noticeable under-cranking, these are the highlights of the film. There’s a terrific fight in which Hsiao Long rescues Duh’s granddaughter with a bike so cool that even Pee Wee Herman would be jealous. There’s a group fight which takes place in the special effects artists’ lair. And probably my favorite scene is the scene in which Hsiao Long tries to rescue Duh from Wey and his men. These scenes are exceptionally fun thanks to its creative use of wires, gadgets, and acrobatics. Unrealistic? Yeah. Fun to watch? Yeah!
This film might also be the most impressive showcase of Lam Siu Lau’s skill. She’s just freaking amazing in this movie, especially considering that she was only 19 when she starred in it. Her fight scenes are incredible and it also helps that she’s pretty darn adorable. She’s very charismatic and she even does a good job playing a guy (though she’s dubbed by a girl anyway). Though Dick Wei doesn’t have the most noteworthy performance, he probably has more lines in this movie than any of his other films (except for maybe Five Venoms).
Plus, since this is evidently a Taiwanese action comedy, there’s a lot of Taiwanese style humor: Really loud and in-your-face. It’s easy to see why a lot of people think that these movies are annoying, but I was surprised that besides some hilarious unintentional comedy, there are some jokes that actually made me laugh a bit. The insane uses of wire-fu which are amusing, but there are a few funny and abrupt bits of comedy throughout. There’s a funny scene, in particular, in which Duh tries buying a Penthouse magazine which turns out to be a bomb. When it comes to unintentional comedy, if you’re watching the Cantonese version of this movie, be prepared for one of the most hilariously uncomfortable Eric Tsang cameos ever. You don’t see him in this movie, but you do hear him.
Plus, since this is evidently a Taiwanese action comedy, there’s a lot of Taiwanese style humor: Really loud and in-your-face. It’s easy to see why a lot of people think that these movies are annoying, but I was surprised that besides some hilarious unintentional comedy, there are some jokes that actually made me laugh a bit. The insane uses of wire-fu which are amusing, but there are a few funny and abrupt bits of comedy throughout. There’s a funny scene, in particular, in which Duh tries buying a Penthouse magazine which turns out to be a bomb. When it comes to unintentional comedy, if you’re watching the Cantonese version of this movie, be prepared for one of the most hilariously uncomfortable Eric Tsang cameos ever. You don’t see him in this movie, but you do hear him.
It might be no surprise that A Heroic Fight is not for everyone. Taiwan has plenty of action films that doesn’t focus on being great, but instead on being fun to watch. This movie is no exception. It’s surprising that the ending of this movie is somewhat anti-climactic and even a bit dark, but that doesn’t prevent A Heroic Fight from being a very effortlessly watchable action movie with plenty of creative action highlights and bits of comedy. Just don’t expect art.
*Along with the Jackie Chan movie posters in the background, there’s also a poster for Lo Wei’s Devil Fetus. Because...why not?
Images from HKMDb and Deliria Hungaria
*Along with the Jackie Chan movie posters in the background, there’s also a poster for Lo Wei’s Devil Fetus. Because...why not?
Images from HKMDb and Deliria Hungaria