Fang Shi Yu yu Hong Xiguan (1974)

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Heroes Two (AKA Kung Fu Invaders) brings two Chinese folk heroes together, Shaolin rebels Hung Hsi-kuan and Fang Shih-yu, in an underrated Chang Cheh classic from 1974, with fanciful moves and an insane and seemingly interminable final fight (choreographed by Lau Kar-Leung), but also some of director Chang's trademark experimentalism (in this case, he uses color filters as punctuation, which is pretty cool. The plot concerns the two Shaolin escapees running circles around Manchu cronies, until they are tricked into facing one another. After that, it's about making amends and discovering a brotherhood that should have been implicit, and coming to gether in revolt. A good mix of ingredients - humor, drama, violence, feeling - gives the film momentum, though yes, it does flag towards the end when one of those overwhelms the rest. The DVD includes the intro demonstration of Hung styles, which I found fascinating and actually helped me get more out of the film, as well as a contemporary interview with star Kuan Tai Chen (who comes off as arrogant, like most Chinese stars in these things), and some stills and trailers. 6 years 10 months ago