Am I Missing Something?

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

MONKEY KUNG FU is a typical Hong Kong outing in the Jackie Chan mould, heavily derived from the success of Jackie Chan's incredibly influential double bill, SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW and DRUNKEN MASTER. Now, there were literally hundreds of Chan imitations being churned out in the years between 1979 and 1984, so films of this ilk have to have something really special about them in order for them to stand out.Thankfully, MONKEY KUNG FU does have something: it was made by Shaw Brothers, so the production values are much better than expected for this sub-genre. This is a fine looking film with all of the action taking place outside in a mixture of location shooting and the famous Shaw sets so beloved by fans. The plot is extremely slight and characters come and go according to plot contrivance; the bad guys, for example, helpfully disappear for a while to give our hero the chance to train up his skills. In addition, there's a real lack of momentum so that this isn't a particularly exciting picture in terms of narrative drive.However, the good news is that the action choreography is strong and the fights are fast-paced and wacky. The opening prison brawl between the hero and the old master is very well portrayed and then there's plenty of mileage in a brief chained-together plot. I loved the bit with the Bolo-alike blacksmith and his sledgehammer. Later, things get bogged down in the hunt for an old manuscript, but pick up again for some great training sequences that have a really vicious streak. The final fight boasts a beautiful backdrop and some typically skilled and furious fighting styles. Overall, this is far from the best that Shaw made, but as a light action comedy with decent choreography, it's difficult to dislike.

Hearing that "Monkey Kung fu" had almost non-existent plot, I did not expect to like this one, but the fact is, this is a highly enjoyable film, thanks mainly to the leads, Ching Siu-tung & Hou Chao-sheng, who together, bring an incredible energy to the screen. Not so much a comedy, but the sheer insanity of the kung fu action is enough to make any viewer laugh and shake their head in amazement. The story is simple; a pair of convicts escape from prison, to discover the mystery of "Gibbon fist," a kung fu technique thought to be lost. They each hold one half of a wooden amulet, and when it it is pieced together, it will lead the pair to a mountain top, where an ancient scroll is hidden. Of course there is a rival clan bent on destroying them and claiming the scroll for themselves. Along the way we join this crazy pair for some off the wall situations; like when Wei Chun (Ching) must battle his way out of a whorehouse after short changing the prostitute, (who kicks his ass with some truly eye-popping kung fu of her own.) In fact, you will see some of the absolute finest kung fu ever captured on film. Also known as "Stroke of Death," this one is a bit reminiscent of "Hellz Windstaff" in how the two friends seem to become one when fighting, working off each other to bring down their opponent. The more involved story and character development of Windstaff makes that one superior, but "Monkey Kung Fu" is a very worthy entry in the history of 1970's kung fu classics; Recommended.

Are you ready for endless action with the thinnest of plots? No? OK that's warning enough. You want to see extremely talented martial artists and acrobats fight each other? Yes? This is the right film. Sloppily directed by second tier Shaw Bros. director Lo Mar, this film is carried by the fight choreographer and the actors.The plot? Imprisoned brash young martial artist and fellow prisoner, who is a student of a "Gibbon Fist" master just executed, escape and search for the lost Gibbon Fist Kung Fu manual while being chased by the son of the deceased master's greatest enemy, a pole fighting master. That's it, no dramatic filler, no lengthy explanations, just fighting.The martial arts are truly impressive. The people involved really made an effort for the most part. The story is really a series of set pieces that barely relate to each other. Two big scenes are completely pointless except for the martial art and acrobatic skills on display. This film is one of the few places to see action choreographer Siu-Tung Ching on camera showing what he knows. Not the most photogenic guy but he can move. Director Lo Mar seems to have quit the business soon after this film and it's a good thing. His sense of editing is some of the worst I've seen in HK films. If not for the talents of the actors and to a lesser degree the cameraman, this film would have been trash.Recommended for fight fans. Need a story and some character interaction? Not here.

This is a fun movie starring Ching Siu Tung, Hau Chou Sheng, Kuan Feng, Chang Cheng, Wong Mei Mei, Yun Fat, Lin Hui Huang. The fights are great. The fights are choreographed by Ching Siu Tung and Hau Chao Sheng. There is one amazing fight over a chair between Ching and the one eyed prisoner that was great. Hou Chao Sheng( Super Power, 5 Superfighters) is an exciting fighter. He has a certain style which is entertaining. He can really do the Monkey style. This man is very fluid with his moves and is really fast.Chning Siu Tung is an acrobat. He probably came form the opera troupe. His father is directer Cheng Kang( 12 Gold Medallions, Kidnap, Killers 5, Sword of Swords). He has great acrobatics which was shown it the training sequences and last fight with villain Kuan Feng( 5 Superfighters, Boxer From The Temple, Spearman, A Deadly Secret) Kuan Feng is awesome! Especially with that pole. Which he was bruising both of our heroes. There is also a woman who Ching Siu Tung fought before the last fight. Her name is Wong Mei Mei( 5 Superfighters, Boxer From The Temple, Iron Chain Assassin, The Master Strikes) . She is nasty. She uses her legs well. Watch her in 5 Superfighters where she was great. Also watch her in Iron Chain Assassin give Ti Lung a hard time. The beginning of the movie is great with that setting and that music which was in The HEROIC ONES, 4 REAL FRIENDS, HEROES OF SHAOLIN. I love that music. All in all a kung fu movie which I can watch over and over again. It is one of my favorite Shaw flicks. The movie is in 1979 and directed by Lo Mar( 5 Superfighters, Boxer From Temple, Bruce Lee: His Last Days, His last Nights) I really recommend this movie.