Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin is another movie released under Lo Wei’s production company, but thankfully is not directed by him. This is another movie with a bit of a wishy-washy plot, but is miles better than Killer Meteors, or To Kill with Intrigue. Jackie’s character, Hsu Ying Fung possesses a book containing the titular Snake and Crane styles. It was written by 8 Shaolin masters before they disappeared. Of course, the villains of the film want this book too, as it is apparently the supreme fighting style.
Jackie again serves as action director, and it shows, as the action is good in this movie, which definitely elevates it some. Also, much of the fantastical elements from his last few movies have been removed. As a bonus, it features the opening chord from Wu-Tang’s “Protect Ya Neck”, as well as many sound effects found on the 36 Chambers album, not to mention their namesake!
Fight 1 – Hsu Ying Fung is minding his business, doing some ice fishing, when we get the first crew of guys trying to steal the book. They are known as the Teng Brothers. Fung roasts them and of course a fight breaks out. This is of course a pretty one sided affair, since Fung does indeed possess the knowledge of both the snake, and the crane. With that said, this is really well put together. Tight choreography, no visible cuts, and a nice pace. Some cool two man spots as well. Good start to the movie (Rating 4/10).
Fight 2 – THE WU TANG CLAN tries to get the book from Fung whilst he is eating at a restaurant. Total hoot of an action scene, and probably the Jackie Chaniest action scene I’ve reviewed yet. Lots of cool stunts and use of props. Everything from tables to stools to stairs and shelves. This is 100% his influence, and holds up with some of his later stuff. It’s another one sided fight, as he easily outmatches the Wu-Tang Clan(may have been different had Redman been available to help). This is the ONLY thing that brings this scene down a little, as I’m kinda rating against things that are coming in later films. Still, this is great. (Rating 6/10)
Fight 3 – Hsu Ying Fung is again interrupted during dinner, as the Teng Brothers get another go at it. It ends exactly the same way as the first time. Very brief, not much to it. (Rating 3/10)
Fight 4 – Ying Fung goes to what looks like a harem to find someone, and ends up fighting with a couple of the women. You can tell the women aren’t as skilled as some of the other stunt people in the film, but there is some fun stuff to make it watchable, including a bizarre sequence where one of them repeatedly tries to punch Jackie in the nuts. It ends when a dude busts in with the sword and kills the women, as well as the interfering Teng Brothers. RIP.
Fight 5 – Jackie is again confronted about the book, this time by quite a burly man and his flunkies. Ying Fung gets a little bit of a challenge here, as the big man hits quite hard and can absorb punishment. Still fairly one sided and brief as the villains run away. Ok stuff here, but nothing special. (Rating 3/10)
Fight 6 – The Black Dragon Clan is attacking Ying Fung’s friends, so he steps in to help. The bad guys all have swords and there are about a dozen of them. Despite the setup, there is almost NOTHING to this one. At this point in the film, it seems like they just wanted to cram as many fights as possible into this. This took place 40 minutes into the movie. (No Rating)
Fight 7 – The Black Dragons immediately have another go at it while the heroes are recovering. This one is much better, and is pretty solid. Some good stuntwork and acrobatics, as well as some comedic stuff. Some great use of the misdirection choreography that Jackie is known for. Again, it’s one sided until the very end, when Ying Fung’s mate betrays him and stabs him with a sword. (Rating 4/10)
Jackie is taken captive by the Black Dragons until his friends bust him out, and that leads us to the climax.
Fight 8 – We finally meet the leader of the Black Dragon clan, and he is no pushover. A group brawl commences, and he easily deals with Hsu Ying Fung’s friends. Mostly a plot advancing scene to lead to the big final battle and to showcase the strength of the villain. He and Jackie never exchange blows in this. (No Rating)
Fight 9 – This is our final battle after we learn a bit more about the book and how the Shaolin all disappeared. The fight feels a little stiff at times, but it someone how makes it work even better, as it showcases the great defense and balance of the villain. Ying Fung is mostly outclassed, and has to find a way to crack the balance of his foe, and tries to force him into fight more offensively.
Things pick up a bit when the rest of the Black Dragons join in with spears, and we get some rather dangerous choreography with the weapons. Really cool evasions used by Jackie and some fun footwork. He deals with these men until the leader jumps back in to go one on one again.
The villain is a bit more arrogant now, feeling that he has seen all of Ying Fung’s technique, and that he is teetering on exhaustion. This causes the Black Dragon leader to fight much more aggressively. The final part of this battle is much more frantic than the first, and feels much less stiff. Some decent weapon stuff in here, and really fast footwork. The hero finally unleashes the full power of the snake & crane technique to land the final blow and end this. (Rating 5/10)
A major theme I’ve noticed in these older films, is that the final battle always seems to take place in a big, wide open space. For years, this was fine, because the heroes in these movies were typically just there to put on a kung fu display and have straight up fights. Once Jackie started becoming a bigger name and wanting to do more with his choreography, I can see where this would severely limit his creativity. You can’t have much variety if you are just fighting in an open field. However, the days of that Shaw Brothers influence are slowly coming to and end.
With that said, my final verdict on this movie is WATCH IT. Honestly, this is the most “Jackie Chan like” movie I’ve reviewed so far. The whole thing is fun to watch, even if there may have been a little TOO much action in this. The action was good when it counted, and there is nothing offensive. Also, there is one character that has an English dub performance, that has to be heard to be believed. As a side bonus, this movie is a VERY heavy influence on one of the greatest hip-hop acts of all time.
One more movie to go, then after that, Jackie REALLY takes off.
Project Jackie 