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Released by: Timeless Media Group
Released on: September 17, 2013.
Director: Chi Chen-hwa/Wei Lo
Cast: Jackie Chan, Kam Kong, Peng Cheng, Bruce Liang, James Tien
Year: 1978
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The Movies:
Timeless Media Group offers up two early Jackie Chan martial arts films on one disc at a low price. Here's what you get…
Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin
The first film features a lot less comedy than most of Chan's other movies. In the movie, there's a book written by eight masters that details 'The Eight Steps Of The Snake And Crane.' The knowledge contained therein would give anyone some serious kung-fu chops as it details not only the moves, but the training required for pull them off as well.
Well wouldn't you know it, soon enough the book lands in the lap of Su Yin-fong (Jackie Chan), a young martial artist who masters the techniques it holds. When word gets out that he's got the book, it seems like every fighter in the area wants to take it from him, no matter the cost. As members of various clans, he fights them off. It soon comes to light, however, that the real reason Su got the book in the first place was because his master is the only surviving member of the original eight and he wants his help in hunting down the men who killed off his fellow masters…
There are some pacing issues here but Chan is in fine form and the final battle which features Master Of The Flying Guillotine's Kam Kong is a lot of fun. The story is very much by the numbers, it really only serves to move the film along from one set piece to the next but as the set pieces are decent enough, some won't mind this so much. It doesn't wind up a particularly deep movie but it features a final battle strong enough to make this one worthwhile, and as a showcase for Chan's abilities it's very impressive. There are some great hand to hand scenes here as well as some impressive moments where different weapons are used in some fairly creative ways.
Chi Chen-hwa paces the movie well and the film is fairly well shot. The production values don't stand as exception nor as particularly poor, they are merely average. Widely regarded as a transitional movie for Chan, in that he was perched somewhere between the early serious roles he would be cast in and the more comedic roles that would eventually make him famous, this is worth seeing and quite entertaining if you're not in an especially demanding mood and in the right frame of mind for some light action.
The Magnificent Bodyguards
The second feature is another entry that features less comedy than a lot of viewers will be expecting. The storyline sees Chan cast as Lord Ting Chung who is asked to accompany a sickly man and his sister on a mountain voyage. He starts off alone but is soon joined by Chang (James Tien) and two female twin warriors. After a rest in a small village, they head into the mountains that they soon learn are filled with thieves, robbers and all manner of evildoers just looking to beat them up and take advantage of them.
This one is very light on plot and was originally shot for 3-D projection, so look out for all sorts of oddball things coming towards the screen (though in 2-D, instead of looking cool this just winds up looking goofy). The fights are good in this one and the come at you at a very quick pace. Chan does a lot of the heavy lifting in this regard but James Tiang gets some time in the spotlight as well, and look out for an appearance by Bruce Liang as well.
For the most part though, this is a simple quest film. Chan is likeable in his role and there are a few decent moments of comedy here, but they're spaced out and not as physical or slapstick heavy as some of his better movies. Bruce Liang, who seems pretty intent on skinning his opponents alive, actually does better here than Jackie does which is kind of interesting to note, but both actors do fine in their respective roles.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Both films are presented in 2.35.1 anamorphic widescreen. Picture quality isn't going to win any awards but the movies are watchable enough. Contrast is all over the place and there is print damage aplenty as well as all sorts of wonky shifts in color tone throughout both movies. Detail is so-so, with some shots looking quite nice and others a bit soft. Black levels are sometimes closer to a dark grey.
Both movies are presented in their English dubbed versions. Quality of the audio is about on par with the video, in that it's passable but nothing to write home about. Not including the Chinese language tracks is obviously a big strike, particularly when previous DVD releases have offered them. The hokey English dubbing definitely hurts the movies and makes them tough to take seriously.
Extras are slim, limited to static menus and a trailer and still gallery for each film.
The Final Word:
These are decent enough early entries in Jackie Chan's pretty massive filmography even if they're not necessarily highpoints. There are some remarkable fight scenes in both pictures and Chan is consistently likeable throughout, showing not only excellent martial arts skills but a great sense of comedic timing as well. The presentation here is no great shakes, but you can't really argue with the price.
