Karl Maka has worn the mantle of actor, producer, director, and screenwriter during his illustrious career in the Hong Film industry. Like his mentor, Chia Liang Liu, Maka is fond of balancing comedy with Kung Fu, a combination that usually spells success at the Hong Kong box office. Maka is responsible for the notable Kung Fu comedies like THE VICTIM, DIRTY TIGER CRAZY FROG, and HIS NAME IS NOBODY. But, Maka’s 1979 picture, SHAOLIN KING BOXER, is a deadly serious Kung Fu movie more akin to a bloody Chang Cheh film. Maka assembled an all-star cast for his epic, including many ex-Shaw Brothers players, like Chen Kuan Tai (THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, CRIPPLED AVENGERS, LIFE OF NINJA), Meng Fei (PRODIGAL BOXER, INVINCIBLE KUNG FU TRIO, GREEN JADE STATUETTE), Leung Kar Yan (IRON MONKEY, SLEEPING FIST, LEGEND OF A FIGHTER), Wilson Tong (SNAKE DEADLY ACT, DAGGERS 8, DIRTY HO) and the legendary actor/director/fight choreographer himself, Chia Liang Liu (aka Lau Kar Wing) whose more recent 1994 Jackie Chan film played U.S. theaters as LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER. Ground Zero Entertainment, purveyors of old school Kung Fu, and their collaboration with the Wu Tang Clan rap group, have labored hard to push the edge of DVD technology with their second wave of Wu Tang DVDs, dubbed The Hidden Chambers Collection. These martial arts DVDs are stuffed with extras and flamboyant graphic design (and navigation) that is sure to delight Kung Fu fans everywhere. Ground Zero wisely selected SHAOLIN KING BOXER as one their premiere titles in the Hidden Chambers collection.

A group of bandits infiltrate the local jail, and break out their evil leader, Shu Tin Shen (Chia Liang Liu). Feeling his gang is up to full strength, Shu Tin Shen’s first stop is home of Captain Siu (Chen Kuan Tai), the constable who imprisoned him. Shu Tin Shen and his posse (including Leung Kar Yan as Pau and Wilson Tong as Slasher Pete) surprise Captain Siu and murder his wife and daughter. Shu Tin Shen then cuts off Captain Siu’s thumb, so he cannot grasp a sword in retaliation. Confident that Captain Siu no longer poses a threat, Shu Tin Shen allows him to escape. But Captain Siu is a very dangerous man and plans to destroy the gang who murdered his family. Captain Siu seeks out a blacksmith and forces him to craft an iron gauntlet. Captain Siu may not be able to grasp conventional weapons with the loss of his thumb, but his steel gauntlet proves more than a match for any aggressors. While searching for his family’s killers, Captain Siu meets Ting Yi Lang (Meng Fei), a roguish adventurer with a penchant for women and money. Ting Yi Lang and Captain Liu strike up a reluctant friendship because Captain Sui wants Shu Tin Shen dead and Ting Yi Lang wants to lay his hands on the gang leader’s stolen loot.

Meanwhile, the gang is planning another heist at the home of a wealthy aristocrat. Ting Yi Lang visits the aristocrat and warns him that his fortune may be in jeopardy. The aristocrat surrounds himself with a small martial arts army for protection. But this army is no match for the skills of Shu Tin Shen, Pau, and Slasher Pete (Chia Liang Liu, Lau Kar Yan, and Wilson Tong, respectively) who descend upon the place like jackals. Shu Tin Shen and his gang slaughter all those inside the homestead, and claim the fortune for themselves. They load the riches up onto a horse-drawn carriage and begin their escape. But there is a traitor amongst the jackals (we won’t reveal who). Shu Tin Shen is forced to abort his plans to deal with the gang’s internal problems. Unfortunately for him, that’s when Captain Siu shows up to settle the score, and Ting Yi Lang arrives to recover the riches. As the old saying goes, payback is a bitch.

Although the plot of SHAOLIN KING BOXER is propelled by the tired revenge motive, director Karl Maka gives the film a fresh perspective with distinct characterizations and the constant application of intrigue. The character of Captain Sui is admittedly one-dimensional (though Chen Kuan Tai brings fire and fervor to the role), he is but only one part of an ensemble picture. Maka divides the focus between Chen Kuan Tai and Meng Fei, whose character uses wit and deduction to out think the villain, Shu Tin Shen. Maka also devotes much screen time to the antagonists, and there are moments when this feels like a heist movie. But every line and nuance in this production only serves to elevate its status. Maka employs comedy only to depict some of the more outrageous character types, and the humor never takes away from the gritty, hard driving, Spaghetti Western edge of SHAOLIN KING BOXER. Chia Liang Liu produces some amazing fight choreography guaranteed to take your breath away. The fighting is very natural, and not flashy. The choreography consists of one-on-one fights, multiple participant battles, and plenty of swords and staff fighting. Don’t miss the finale where Chia Liang Liu fights both Chen Kuan Tai and Meng Fei.

The casting is perfection. Chen Kuan Tai dominates the film despite the limited character definition of Captain Siu. We witness Chen Kuan Tai interacting playfully with his family in the beginning and you can feel the peace emanating from this man. Later, on his blood quest, nothing and no one dares to get in his way. Chen Kuan Tai here reminds me of a Chinese Christopher Lee, because he has that same look in his eye as Lee’s Count Dracula. When Chen Kuan Tai stares menacingly at those around him (with that steel gauntlet waving around) those within his glare cower in fear. Chen Kuan Tai makes you feel he has been wronged, and his burning desire for vengeance reaches a primal chord in the viewer. Meng Fei is very charismatic in his co-starring role. His character, Ting Yu Lang, is cunning and warm, and supplements the coldness of Captain Siu quite well. Chia Liang Liu, often cast as a bad guy, gives the best villainous performance of his career, and he gets equal the screen time as co-stars Chen Kuan Tai and Meng Fei. Leung Kar Yan is also great as Shu Tin Shen’s lead henchman.