Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Why so much hype?

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Another Shaw Brothers classic directed by Chang Cheh. This one is neither as violent or as iconic as some of the director's other films, but it still a completely entertaining movie, running the usual plot lines with finesse and efficiency. One thing I found about the film was that the characters were once again more involved than in your usual martial arts film. Each takes an opposing stand on the side of good or evil and the mix of loyalty and adversity is a good one. The plot involves the usual treachery and deceit, mixed in with plenty of action so that there's nary a dull moment.Most of the Venoms are present in the cast here, albeit with the likes of Phillip Kwok missing. Lu Feng has a typically strong role and Chiang Sheng is as goofy and likable as ever. I always get a kick out of seeing Sun Chien in these films too. The fight sequences, when they come, are outstanding. There are tournaments and tests of strength here, and things inevitably build to a splendid climax in which multiple heroes and villains do battle on a big scale. The usual violence is present, with opponents being castrated and impaled by needles and flying daggers and the usual blood spray stuff. The choreography is outstanding and once again this is a highlight of the genre.

The so-called "venoms" were a charismatic crowd, singularly or all together, and Chang Cheh, for my money, was one of the very best martial arts movie directors. Both Cheh and Lo Meng are in fine form, here. Meng, as Shaolin strongman Tong, could've almost stepped right out of (or into) one of the Italian sword and sandal epics (he's even referred to as "the Chinese Hercules" and lifts (and throws) stone pillars and uproots trees to prove it). (And, like the Hercules of ancient mythology, he's not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what I mean...) He teams up with one Hu Huigan, whose followers carry around lanterns adorned with his name and a list of his accomplishments (almost makes Muhammad Ali's bragadoccio seem tame). He even castrates an opponent during a duel... Along with the younger Wei Xinghong, a Ming loyalist (of the Wu Dang clan, but aligned with the Manchus when we first meet him), Tong and Hu face the mysterious Mr. Gao and his cadre of monkey kung fu practitioners, the infamous Yuan brothers (who actually wear monkey masks when we first see them in action). The stage is set for a spectacular finale, and Cheh and his stars don't disappoint.

This is a fine example of the fast-paced, extravagant martial arts choreography that is the trademark of the venom mob. There is a enough fight scenes and brutal deaths throughout the entire movie to keep even the most demanding Chang Cheh-fan satisfied. The story is, as expected, just a mess of righteous, pure-blooded shaolin ming rebels spewing hatred upon the evil Manchurian Qing-government joined by the treacherous Wu Tang-clan. Some noble qing/wu tang-members (who were of course more or less forced to join this heinous bunch) realize that the ming-dynasty is the only true dictatorship for the Han-race and switch sides in secret. Who's who and what is really accomplished, I'm not sure of even after repeated viewing. What I am sure of though, is that the action is plenty and of very high standard. It's not the best venom movie out there, but it's pretty close. The last fight is reasonably long and the final death scene (ok everyone dies in this movie, I'm not kidding) is awesome. Highly recommended and well worth a place in your Kung Fu-movie collection if you stumble upon it.

Thank you Shaw Brothers for reissuing these classics!Two Champions is great example of Shaw Bros' magic. Having not seen most SB flicks with the exception of ol' skool Saturday Big Apple Movies or really poorly dubbed versions, this movie had me from the get-go. The vow for revenge (of COURSE!) and brotherhood are main themes, but there's a whole lot of fighting going on. The brotherly characters played by Lo Meng and Chiang Sheng come off well throughout the film. Their brash, arrogant natures show as these two won't back down from any fight. Also, add flying daggers and counter moves (a really FUN training sequence and battle), Wu Tang fighters, double crosses, fast intense fighting and Chang Cheh's dark tone and it's a great one to watch.More SHAWS please!!