When taking part in the Hong Kong Challenge on ICM last year,I picked up 2 HK DVDs shortly afterwards, this and Benny Chan's Connected (2008-also reviewed.) Having enjoyed a number of spectacular Shaw Brothers Musical Capers this month,I decided to switch genres and draw eight diagrams.
View on the film:
Drawn just before the quantity of flicks Shaw Brothers studio made took a steep drop and Heroic Bloodshed dominated the HK Action scene, co-writer/(with Kuang Ni ) director Chia-Liang Liu & cinematographer An-Sung Tsao bring the Shaw Bros Martial Arts style bursting to life with spectacular set-pieces gliding to circling camera moves for each major fighting move unleashed, and a careful use of slow-motion wire-work which gives the fights an artistic flourish . Allowing the fights space to flow, Liu combines the crunching close-ups with smooth wide-shots allowing each impressive stunt/fighting move to be seen clearly.
When not dusting the screen up in fights, Liu brings a still, water coloured elegance in close-ups on the 5th son learning the way of the monks, and having to find restrain for his thirst of gratification, in order to learn the monks unique fighting style. Partly based on the folk lore around the real Yang family, the screenplay by Liu and Ni roundhouse kicks the opening off with a barnstorming revenge attack. Leaving the survivors desperate for revenge, the writers follow what the sons have to learn by intensely building up the 5th son learning from the monks how to be a eight diagram pole fighter.
View on the film:
Drawn just before the quantity of flicks Shaw Brothers studio made took a steep drop and Heroic Bloodshed dominated the HK Action scene, co-writer/(with Kuang Ni ) director Chia-Liang Liu & cinematographer An-Sung Tsao bring the Shaw Bros Martial Arts style bursting to life with spectacular set-pieces gliding to circling camera moves for each major fighting move unleashed, and a careful use of slow-motion wire-work which gives the fights an artistic flourish . Allowing the fights space to flow, Liu combines the crunching close-ups with smooth wide-shots allowing each impressive stunt/fighting move to be seen clearly.
When not dusting the screen up in fights, Liu brings a still, water coloured elegance in close-ups on the 5th son learning the way of the monks, and having to find restrain for his thirst of gratification, in order to learn the monks unique fighting style. Partly based on the folk lore around the real Yang family, the screenplay by Liu and Ni roundhouse kicks the opening off with a barnstorming revenge attack. Leaving the survivors desperate for revenge, the writers follow what the sons have to learn by intensely building up the 5th son learning from the monks how to be a eight diagram pole fighter.