This martial arts fantasy film was originally released in 1993 as KEI TIN TIU LUNG GEI JI MOH GAAU GAAU CHU, which translates to THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER. The film features the martial arts skills of the current king of HK cinema, Jet Li. Despite Jet Li’s presence, the film has suffered various indignities (such as cut footage, re-edited sequences, and atrocious dubbing) that have given the film a bad name in fan circles. Thankfully, China’s MEI AH Home Video restores THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER to it’s original cinematic luster. The film is directed by Wong Jing, who also directed countless Hong Kong genre films such as LEGEND OF THE LIQUID SWORD, RAPED BY AN ANGEL 4, and GOD OF GAMBLERS 2.

The film has a great cast. Besides Jet Li, the film features Sammo Hung as the 100 year-old master, Chang San Fung, Danny (ROYAL TRAMP) Chan as Sung Ching-Su. Man (SEMI-GODS AND SEMI-DEVILS) Cheung has a dual role as Yan So So and Chao Min. The lovely Chingmy (NAKED KILLER) Yau is Jet Li’s love interest, Siu Chiu. Ka Yan (CRYSTAL HUNT) Leung plays Sung Yuen Kin. The hilarious Richard (WINNERS AND SINNERS) Ng portrays the King of Green Bat. And Francis (A MAN CALLED HERO) Ng plays Chan Tsui San.

Two swords, the To Lung and the Yee Tin, each contains one-half of an ancient scroll that holds the key to the ultimate secrets of kung-fu. If any person was to obtain the swords and the scroll, they would be the Supreme Master of Martial Arts. Alone, these supernatural swords are still extremely powerful, able to lash out and cut through virtually anything the wielder wishes. As you would guess, the swords are extremely valuable, and because of this have caused wars between the various clans and religious sects over the centuries.

Two groups of martial artists (each comprised of different sub-sects) are at war with each other -- the Evil Sect (from Persia) and the Shaolin sect. The Evil Sect is headed by two individuals: King of White Eagle and King of Green Bat. Another master of the Evil Sect, King of Gold Lion, befriends a man from the Shaolin Wu Tong clan. King of Gold Lion's daughter eventually marries this man, and together they have a son named Mo-Kei (Jet Li).

In an effort to gain the To Lung sword which King of Gold Lion has, the Chinese (Shaolin, Wu Shih, Master No-Mercy's nuns) band together to hunt him. King of Gold Lion is blind and lives in hiding to protect the sword. When the Chinese cannot find King of Gold Lion, they pressure Mo-Kei’s parents to inform them where King of Gold Lion is hiding. In the process of threatening and intimidating Mo-Kei’s parents, Mo-Kei is permanently wounded and cursed by the Jinx Brothers. To save face, Mo-Kei’s parents kill themselves to avoid betraying King of Gold Lion. Young Mo-Kei swears revenge on those who pressured his parents into taking their lives (the Jinx brothers, Master No-Mercy, and the other sect leaders).

Mo-Kei is taken in by his deceased father’s kung-fu mentor, Master Fung (Sammo Hung). But Mo-Kei grows up unable to learn kung-fu because the Jinx brothers have placed a curse on him (whereas he cannot practice any martial arts or he becomes sick). Mo-Kei's cousin is given the task of protecting Mo-Kei, since he is unable to defend himself (he's not too fond of this). When the cousin is given a chance, he tries to beat up and maim Mo-Kei. Luckily for Mo-Kei, a mysterious Evil Sect woman named Siu Chiu (Chingmy Yau) comes to seek out Mo-Kei. Together they escape the Wu Tong encampment by falling off the edge of a cliff. Mo-Kei’s corrupt cousin tells Master Fung that Mo-Kei met his doom when he fell into a ravine, and Master Fung believes him.

In the bottom of the ravine, Mo-Kei and Siu Chiu meet up with a monstrous living ball that is occupied by an old wizard. This old wizard is an old enemy of Master Fung, who desires to make Mo-Kei into a worthy martial artist to prove his superiority to Master Fung (who could not teach Mo-Kei kung fu because of the curse). Using mystical powers, the old wizard breaks the Jinx brothers’ spells and teaches Mo-Kei the ancient arts in a matter of minutes. By mastering the old wizard’s Great Solar Stance technique, Mo-Kei is able to learn any form of martial arts just by watching it. Mo-Kei begins his quest to gain revenge for his parents and re-unite the feuding Evil Sect and Shaolin Sects. Through the course of the film, he learns other forms of martial arts including Magic Stance, Dragon Claws Shaolin Kung-Fu, and Tai Chi. By the end of the film he is pretty much unstoppable, and takes on the purveyors of evil.

There is a lot of strange and violent images in THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER:

Jet Lee fans claim that this is their idol’s worst film. I don’t believe that’s true. The problem with THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER is that it features an unbelievably complex storyline culled from ancient Chinese lore. Only the most hard-core historical martial arts fans can truly appreciate (or keep up with) the narrative, without getting lost. The detailed story line is similar to role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. And there are way more characters to keep track off than in most HK films. Like Dungeons and Dragons, you just don’t play the game the first time and expect to win. The more you practice, the better you get. So obviously, THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER is not your average piece of Asian cinema. It strives to give more than just hyper-action scenes; it lends itself to additional viewings to pick up on the intricacies of the Chinese mythology and philosophy.

Another big criticism I’ve heard about THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER is the overused wire-works that make the martial artists look super-human. While I agree the wire-works are overused, you’ve got to remember the martial artists in this film are indeed supposed to be super-human fighters. THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER is not about "authentic" hand-to-hand combat; it is a mythological, epic adventure/fantasy. Viewers who can only tolerate old-school martial arts will be disappointed, and may want to look elsewhere. Fans who appreciate supernatural elements with their swordplay and martial arts cravings should seek out THE KUNG FU COLT MASTER.

Another thing that may leave a bad taste in the fans mouths is the ending. The movie stops abruptly and leaves a lot of threads hanging. Whether this was done purposely, or merely to leave a sequel option open is unclear. Whatever the case may be, the ending leaves you looking for more. No sequel was ever attempted. What the movie wraps, you are still hungry for the great characters, the wonderful interaction, and the over-the-top stunt scenes courtesy of Jet Li.

There are a couple problem areas with the movie. The special effects work is inconsistent. While much of the effects are believable (such as the bloodletting and dismemberments), other effects just appear plain cheap (The attacking old wizard in the giant ball). I’ve never seen more people throwing up blood than in this picture. The other problem with the film is the pacing. There are so many stunts, fights, and rapid camera movements, that the movie just goes too fast. You cannot stop to think, or take in any details. It’s just fight after fight after fight. By the time the climax comes around you are supposed to be impressed, but jaded is more like it.

The fight choreography is not the best I’ve ever seen, but the stunt work is tremendous. Especially when you consider the sheer number of stunts and battle scenes involving hundreds of extras. There were moments in the film where I was reminded of the battle scenes from Kurosowa’s RAN. One other remarkable aspect of the movie is the rapid-fire photography and angled camera movements. The shooting angles used by the filmmakers would make Sam Raimi proud. The wire-works scenes are used in conjunction with EVIL DEAD-style camera work, making the film one continuous, zany, stunt show. One other big plus to THR KUNG FU COLT MASTER is how it combines a serious struggle with some slapdash humor. Not all the jokes work, but most of the offbeat humor registers thanks to the comedic skills of performers like the riotous Richard Ng.

- Tony Mustafa