Cast Member: Lo Lieh

The plot is all over the place and covers all areas mentioned in my opening paragraph, but as ever, it is only there to give people a reason to fight.

In the end, ‘Kung Fu From Beyond The Grave’ is decent entertainment – mainly due to the fights – but lacks the campy charm needed to make it a strong recommendation.

‘Mad Monkey Kung Fu’ features an excellent cast, first-rate action, an absorbing plot and a powerful soundtrack – more than enough reasons to recommend this to any true film fan.

Jackie openly admits that this film was intended to answer the critics who saw him as just an action star/director. What an answer it proved to be!

‘On The Run’ is a superb effort from Biao and a welcome change of pace for an actor who is so often seen as just the “little brother” of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung.

A few moments of Wang Yu madness creep into the film to enliven things, but this is mostly a hard slog to get through.

The real draw, and the skill of Chor Yuen, is to make an ensemble of eccentrics, oddball antagonists and superheroes appealing and a means of covering up the unapologetic holes in the narrative.

This is another great slice of entertainment JC style, and was one of his best performances before his physical shape noticeably began to deteriorate in the mid-90’s.

There’s therefore much to recommend this superior sequel, a film that takes the best elements of the original and invites viewers to contemplate a message beyond the common expectations of the genre.

‘Seven Warriors’ does not compare to the flawless epic that inspired it, but it’s encouraging to report that this is well worth watching.

If you’re a fan of Biao or Sammo, this will make an unremarkable, but enjoyable addition to your collection; if you’re indifferent to either, the chances are you will feel the same about this film.

It boasts some top notch fight scenes which are further enhanced by another standout performance from the late great Lo Lieh.