Nan Shao Lin yu bei Shao Lin (1978)

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Siskoid
1978's Invincible Shaolin is a Venoms-era Chang Cheh production that worried me with its glacially-paced opening, but then headed into pure martial arts territory, albeit with Chang's trademark third act goreporn. Basically, it's the story of a Manchu general who wants to pit North and South Shaolin against ones another by pitting them against one another through trickery, hoping a Shaolin civil war would get rid of the problem for him. The Venoms are split into two, and it's interesting how each group become sympathetic heroes in your eyes, creating some tension as to whether or not you want them to actually square off. A huge portion of the film is devoted to the Southerners training to become the perfect matches for the more proficient Northerners, and then we're off to the fights. The odd structure bored you in its set-up, then features relentless action after that. Enjoyable and well-choreographed, though the usual freeze frame ending arrives way too early, and I also think it a sin to cast Kara Hui (My Young Auntie) in a movie and not have her pull some moves. Not surprising for Chang's bromances, but it still disappoints me. 5 years 8 months ago