Superkicker Hwang Jang Lee was a very popular actor in martial arts cinema in the 1970s and early 1980s. Now, 88 Films has released a new Blu-ray of Kid From Kwangtung, one of the few films he did for the Shaw Brothers studio.
The film stars Wong Yu and Chiang Kam, who play rival kids from different Kung Fu schools who get involved with anti-Qing rebels and eventually unite to take down an evil Qing officer, played by Hwang Jang-Lee.
First of all the comedy in the first half especially is hard to sit through, but many fans of the genre can tolerate this if there is some great martial arts on display and you get it in this film.
When Hwang Jang Lee lets loose it really is something to behold, an amazing and versatile kicking ability which still shows speed and power. Wong Yu plays his normal annoying comedic role but also gets to show some great fighting and acrobatic skills.
The supporting cast is also good and includes Yen Shi Kwan, Yuen Tak and Sharon Yueng who all get in on the action.
So if you can put up with the comedy there is some real classic action choreography on display and fans of the genre will be very happy.
The new Blu-ray from 88 Films is from a nice HD transfer and you have the choice of Cantonese language with English subtitles or English dub. Extras are just a trailer, some postcards of the lobby cards a nice slip case and a picture gallery.
FILM – 7.5 PICTURE – 8 AUDIO – 7.5 EXTRAS – 2
