Plot: Bill Man is a respected teacher, but he is tough on his students. They set up a trap and nearly kill him. Man manages to escape and becomes a recluse. He finds some new students to teach, but then his old clan learns he is still alive, and they come back to try and finish the job.
Watches
June 10, 2022
Chia-Liang Liu's swan song. It's a very clear throwback to the heyday of the Shaw Bros studio, which is both a strength and a weakness. The film feels more than a bit dated for a 2003 project, but the focus on martial arts skills and choreography is tangible. With Liu both in front of and behind the camera, there's plenty to like for genre fans.
Liu found some young talent and gave himself a sizeable role to show off he could still kick ass at his age. The action scenes are pretty great, the rest of the film isn't quite up to par though. The cinematography is lacking, the soundtrack isn't great, and the plot is really bland. Still, if you love Liu's older work, this is well worth checking out.
September 30, 2004
[review pending]