Reviews (21)

A Great Showcase of Jackie's Talents
Much in the tradition of the great comics, such as Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, this movie really shines on Jackie's comic genius. You can turn off the sound and the comic scenes would still be hilarious. However, this isn't just about comedy... the movie shows his range as an actor, from humor to grief, and his heroic final fight has some incredible work, as well as -- of course -- more humor. In all, it is probably one of his best films. It's a shame they used some dork to dub over his voice, but still that wouldn't have kept me from buying this film. If you want to appreciate Jackie Chan at his best... this is one of the better movies you could watch!

An old chan movie is better than anyone else's best movies
One of Jackie's breakout movies with some actual comedy, rather than the Bruce Lee imitation he was forced into with the first 8 films or so. another viewer on this site says that they like drunken master 2 better. Drunken master 2 is probably his best kung-fu film, so this isn't saying much. It was also made in 1994, and it was NOT made by lo wei. I put this movie almost on par with drunken master one. If you're not a Jackie fan, yet, start with Mr. Nice Guy or Rumble in the Bronx; this one's for die hards only.

3 stars for the movie, 0 for awful dvd!!
the movie is pretty good and has some really good fighting and training scenes but the plot is corny and incredibly inconsistant. on first view, it seems just like another, drunken master, snake on the eagle's shadow, magnificent butcher or dance of the drunken mathis ripoff...well in fact it is, but not that great....is funny and pack with action, but nothing you haven't seen before. now, the dvd is plain awful!!! this is a columbia/try star release and it look horrible!!! the tranfer is directly from a betamax tape, not even vhs!!!! is grainy, dirty and washout....the dubbing is horrible and the subtitles is as phony as it gets!!!....no remaster at all, trystar did not put a penny on a new tranfer or colorcorrection or anything like it....it looks horrible!!!!! i can't believe this mayor film company didn't care and just wanted to get some money.....the movie is pretty entertaining but not the best...and the tranfer does it no justice!~~~ti bad this is the only copy avaliable

chantastic
this is by far the best of his early work this is chantastis has some of his best fights ever

Kung-Fu Comedy with a Young Jackie Chan
Have you ever watched one of the numerous Hong Kong or Chinese made movies where the various characters defy gravity, performing stunts like those in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"? This movie is a lot like those, but without resorting to the stunts that overcome the laws of physics.

I had to watch the movie twice because I missed a key connection at the beginning. Even catching on to the connection, portions of the movie remain a bit murky and the plot flow is somewhat jerky. The movie begins with The (Evil) Master and his henchmen chasing after three individuals. One of these individuals has an injured leg and escapes thanks to the self-sacrifice of the other two individuals, both of whom are killed.

We immediately jump to a long-haired, young Jacky Chan (yes, that's the way it was spelled in the credits) performing some sort of practice Kung-Fu routine for his grandfather. From this point forward, the movie plays like The Three Kung-Fu Stooges. I have to admit that as bad as the acting and the dubbing was, I laughed throughout this portion of the movie because it was funny. It was stupid, but it was funny too. The dubbing is atrocious, with weird English accents for each of the Chinese actors. This movie could definitely use a re-dub.

I enjoyed the martial arts throughout this movie because they all appeared real. I cringed when the actors fought, because when they hit each other, they HIT EACH OTHER! I can see where there had to have been a lot of bruises after each day of filming. There was nothing fake about any of the fight scenes. The actors' martial arts skills were very, very good. However, the "elderly" martial artists looked like 20-something actors with white hair and eyebrows.

We see Jackie's character as he goes through this interlude of comedy until The Master shows up and, by connecting the sign at Jackie's Kung Fu school to Jackie's grandfather, tracks him down and kills him. There isn't really any justification given for tracking down and killing these people by The Master, so we have to accept on faith that there is some sort of vendetta or history we are not privy to. Jackie tries to kill The Master, but of course does not. Instead Jackie encounters The Unicorn, who has a gimpy leg (recalling the beginning of this review). The Unicorn teaches Jacky a number of tricks and some really serious martial arts to go off and wreak vengeance on The Master and his henchmen.

This movie is corny, the acting is weak and often excessively overdone, and the plot is formulaic. However, it is still funny, and somehow it all works. As long as you aren't expecting a serious Kung-Fu movie, and as long as you are expecting very light entertainment, and particularly if you are a fan of Jackie Chan, you might find this movie interesting. Three stars because of the flaws, but I still like the movie and plan to watch it again. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Great Movie, subtitles option missing
First off this movie is great, it is truly one of Jackie Chan's classics. The stunts and action scenes are fantastic, and the plot moves along nicely. The DVD is good for the most part, the picture and sound are both good.

But one negative side is the lack of subtitle and language options. With a movie like this it would be nice to be able to turn off the english dubbing and instead have the original chinese soundtrack with english subtitles. But this option is not presented, which really annoys me when you consider the fact that it could have been easily put on the DVD. The english dubbing isn't bad (Jackie Chan does his own voice, and i believe Samo Hung does too). But sometimes the orginal chinese soundtrack can make the movie seem more legitimate and less cheesy, and i like to have the option.

But all in all this really is own of Jackie's finest movies. Samo Hung is very good as well. I took off one star just for the lack of subtitle options, but that isn't the end of the world. I still enjoy this DVD greatly.

DVD version is very well done!
This is one of Jackie Chan's best movies. Lots of action, good stunts, very funny, and even has a decent plot (like we watch Jackie Chan movies for a plot anyways, but it does make it more interesting). No bloopers are shown at the end which I was hoping for on DVD but that doesnt hurt the movie one bit.

The DVD is really well done. Jackie Chan provides his own voice, the picture quality is great, and the dubbing is the best I have seen on any foreign film. I would rather have the orignal voices and subtitle but its not on here. But the dubbing is so well done it doesnt annoy you at all. They actually use different voices for each character and when the lips stop moving the voice stops and vice versa.

There is a menu screen where you have a chapter selection so after you watch the whole thing and just want to watch the awesome fight scenes you can without fast forwarding through the entire movie like you do with a bunch of other hong kong movies. Also there is english subtitle for the hearing impaired but the dubbing is still there.

Note on the subtitle: The subtitle is yellow, not white, and readable throughout the entire movie which is how all subtitles should be on all movies. Just thought I would mention that since most of my movies I cant read the subtitle on because it is white.

The DVD version is 10 times better then the VHS version. I cant wait for the new release DVD version of Project A II.

What happened...
... to the outtakes when they roll the credits? This DVD is crap!! I got this for $5 at Target and, man, what a mistake... The English dub is stupid, too. Don't buy this... Get the HK versions like the other guys said...

One of the Best Jackie Chan Films
This film made Jackie Chan a Super STAR... Sammo Hung is terrific. Yuen Bio is excellent but its Jaackei Chan Who is totally Fantasic.
Fast, Funny and Very Goood

STICK WITH HK IMPORTS "ALWAYS"
If you want to see the uncut, no bull, original official version of ANY Jackie Chan, or ANY Honk Kong movies, STICK WITH HK IMPORTS. Now, make sure HK IMPORTS are OFFICIAL LICENSED PRODUCT, and not BOOT LEGS. It gets really tricky, but it is worth the search. American version cut off so much, and also make acting look so dumb by English Dubb. Not worth it. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Excelent Martial Arts demonstration film
This movie came with a pack of other movies in a boxset called Return Of the Warriors. The quailty of the video is crap, but what do you expect from a box-set that includes 20 classic martial arts movies ( did i mention that it is dub only) for only 26 bucks.

36 crazy fists is just another variations of Jacky Chan's Movies, such as Drunken Master ( Noter: Legend of the Drunken Master is english re-release of Drunken Master II), and Snake in Eagle's Shadow (These two movies also have a similar old drunken man that that teaches kung-fu to a pathetic newbie). It just that Jacky Chan is not acting, but the fight choreographer (This is obivious if you watched the movies I mentioned earlier.)

Any kung-fu buff will love 36 crazy fist's martial arts action. Each move is done flawlessly and without losing a beat ( you will never see pure martial arts technique's like these in Jackie's new movies.) The storyline is a backdrop for what the show really is; a martial arts flick, and does not take it's self seriously which make for a lot of good humor. However the dub is horrendous, as a lot of martial arts dubs are. The dub makes the part's where there is no fighting a chore to watch. But the most dissapointing aspect is that it was chopped down to only the actual fights it self. All but a small few of the training sessions made it to the final cut. The training portions of Drunken Master and Snake in Eagle's Shadow where fun to watch and gave more depth to the fights because you see Jacky use the weird techniques learned in training in a actual fight.

Bottom line: Great kung-fu movie, but watch it subbed for a better veiwing experience.

IT'S A TRICK! JACKIE CHAN IS NOT IN THIS MOVIE!
THIS MOVIE IS A SERIOUS LETDOWN. IN ORDER TO AVENGE HIS FATHER'S MURDER, A YOUNG MAN LEARNS MARTIAL ARTS. EXTREMELY CORNY AND BAD. JACKIE MAY HAVE DIRECTED THIS TRASH AND HE EVEN WAS THE MARTIAL ARTS DIRECTOR, BUT HE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THIS FILM, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HIS PICTURE IS ON THE COVER! THE FINAL FIGHT IS OK, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE THIS BULLSH-T. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A REAL JACKIE CHAN MOVIE FROM THE EARLIER DAYS OF HIS CAREER, RENT OR BUY ''THE YOUNG MASTER'' OR ''POLICE STORY''.

Good Solid Movie
Is Jackie Chan in this movie ? No. But, the movie is still very solid. To me it was a very average or slightly above average kung fu movie. It revolves around a young man whose father was killed, and while being beaten up by gangsters responsible for his fathers death he gets saved by two Shaolin monks. The monks take him to learn kung fu from the abbott,but the abbott sends him away and tells him he is too scrawny and weak to learn. The monks who befriended him then take him to a Shaolin gym and con the teacher into taking him on. The teacher just has him do chores though,and won't teach him. So the young man ends up learning some kung fu from a drunkard and the drunkards pupil. The young man goes back and challenges the teacher for permission to leave,but loses against the teacher. He escapes anyway and goes and beats up several of the gangsters. He then faces the local boss of the gangsters who bests him. He goes back and learns kung fu from his shaolin friends and then defeats the local gangster boss. However, he then gets challenged by the brother of the local gangster boss. He loses and has to go back and learn a few tricks from the teacher of the Shaolin Kung Fu gym. He again defeats his opponent, and gets challenged once again by the master of the two brothers he defeated. So, he goes into training with the teacher of the Shaolin Gym and with the Drunkard and the Drunkards pupil and uses what he knows to fight the evil master. The movie in my opinion holds up on its own and most of the movie is very humorous.

Buyer Beware
This is NOT a Jackie Chan movie! Well, ok, he did work on it, but only as the stunt coordinator. The producers put together a "making of" documentary, then later unscrupulously edited in behind-the-scenes footage of Jackie. Why? For money, of course. The original didn't do well; the re-edited version was marketed as a Jackie Chan movie. According to Jackie, he was furious about it, but there was little he could do at the time.

where is jackie?
jackie himself is not featuring in this movie!
he is supposed to be some sort of fighting coordinator, but i dont believe crap of it.
the story stinks and is very thin and simple.
fighting is ok. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Excelent Martial Arts demonstration film
This movie came with a pack of other movies in a boxset called Return Of the Warriors. The quailty of the video is crap, but what do you expect from a box-set that includes 20 classic martial arts movies ( did i mention that it is dub only) for only 26 bucks.

36 crazy fists is just another variations of Jacky Chan's Movies, such as Drunken Master ( Noter: Legend of the Drunken Master is english re-release of Drunken Master II), and Snake in Eagle's Shadow (These two movies also have a similar old drunken man that that teaches kung-fu to a pathetic newbie). It just that Jacky Chan is not acting, but the fight choreographer (This is obivious if you watched the movies I mentioned earlier.)

Any kung-fu buff will love 36 crazy fist's martial arts action. Each move is done flawlessly and without losing a beat ( you will never see pure martial arts technique's like these in Jackie's new movies.) The storyline is a backdrop for what the show really is; a martial arts flick, and does not take it's self seriously which make for a lot of good humor. However the dub is horrendous, as a lot of martial arts dubs are. The dub makes the part's where there is no fighting a chore to watch. But the most dissapointing aspect is that it was chopped down to only the actual fights it self. All but a small few of the training sessions made it to the final cut. The training portions of Drunken Master and Snake in Eagle's Shadow where fun to watch and gave more depth to the fights because you see Jacky use the weird techniques learned in training in a actual fight.

Bottom line: Great kung-fu movie, but watch it subbed for a better veiwing experience.

IT'S A TRICK! JACKIE CHAN IS NOT IN THIS MOVIE!
THIS MOVIE IS A SERIOUS LETDOWN. IN ORDER TO AVENGE HIS FATHER'S MURDER, A YOUNG MAN LEARNS MARTIAL ARTS. EXTREMELY CORNY AND BAD. JACKIE MAY HAVE DIRECTED THIS TRASH AND HE EVEN WAS THE MARTIAL ARTS DIRECTOR, BUT HE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THIS FILM, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HIS PICTURE IS ON THE COVER! THE FINAL FIGHT IS OK, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE THIS BULLSH-T. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A REAL JACKIE CHAN MOVIE FROM THE EARLIER DAYS OF HIS CAREER, RENT OR BUY ''THE YOUNG MASTER'' OR ''POLICE STORY''.

Good Solid Movie
Is Jackie Chan in this movie ? No. But, the movie is still very solid. To me it was a very average or slightly above average kung fu movie. It revolves around a young man whose father was killed, and while being beaten up by gangsters responsible for his fathers death he gets saved by two Shaolin monks. The monks take him to learn kung fu from the abbott,but the abbott sends him away and tells him he is too scrawny and weak to learn. The monks who befriended him then take him to a Shaolin gym and con the teacher into taking him on. The teacher just has him do chores though,and won't teach him. So the young man ends up learning some kung fu from a drunkard and the drunkards pupil. The young man goes back and challenges the teacher for permission to leave,but loses against the teacher. He escapes anyway and goes and beats up several of the gangsters. He then faces the local boss of the gangsters who bests him. He goes back and learns kung fu from his shaolin friends and then defeats the local gangster boss. However, he then gets challenged by the brother of the local gangster boss. He loses and has to go back and learn a few tricks from the teacher of the Shaolin Kung Fu gym. He again defeats his opponent, and gets challenged once again by the master of the two brothers he defeated. So, he goes into training with the teacher of the Shaolin Gym and with the Drunkard and the Drunkards pupil and uses what he knows to fight the evil master. The movie in my opinion holds up on its own and most of the movie is very humorous.

Buyer Beware
This is NOT a Jackie Chan movie! Well, ok, he did work on it, but only as the stunt coordinator. The producers put together a "making of" documentary, then later unscrupulously edited in behind-the-scenes footage of Jackie. Why? For money, of course. The original didn't do well; the re-edited version was marketed as a Jackie Chan movie. According to Jackie, he was furious about it, but there was little he could do at the time.

where is jackie?
jackie himself is not featuring in this movie!
he is supposed to be some sort of fighting coordinator, but i dont believe crap of it.
the story stinks and is very thin and simple.
fighting is ok. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The most readily available version of this early Jackie Chan flick has been distractingly dubbed with English accents and lad slang. ("You twit!" snarls a beefy young kung fu master.) This is a film of some historic interest, however, since Chan was directing himself for the first time, going way too far in his attempt to inject humor into the genre and distance himself from the grim, ferocious example of Bruce Lee. He has only himself to blame, in other words, for the over-the-top slapstick of the martial arts training sequences--like the one that has him standing on his head, balancing a bowl of scalding hot tea in his crotch. The action scenes are all-out gag-fests in which Chan does more mugging than fighting, appearing in drag in one memorable sequence. One hapless thug even gets squashed into the ground, like a steamrollered cartoon character. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Great Showcase of Jackie's Talents
Much in the tradition of the great comics, such as Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, this movie really shines on Jackie's comic genius. You can turn off the sound and the comic scenes would still be hilarious. However, this isn't just about comedy... the movie shows his range as an actor, from humor to grief, and his heroic final fight has some incredible work, as well as -- of course -- more humor. In all, it is probably one of his best films. It's a shame they used some dork to dub over his voice, but still that wouldn't have kept me from buying this film. If you want to appreciate Jackie Chan at his best... this is one of the better movies you could watch!

An old chan movie is better than anyone else's best movies
One of Jackie's breakout movies with some actual comedy, rather than the Bruce Lee imitation he was forced into with the first 8 films or so. another viewer on this site says that they like drunken master 2 better. Drunken master 2 is probably his best kung-fu film, so this isn't saying much. It was also made in 1994, and it was NOT made by lo wei. I put this movie almost on par with drunken master one. If you're not a Jackie fan, yet, start with Mr. Nice Guy or Rumble in the Bronx; this one's for die hards only.

3 stars for the movie, 0 for awful dvd!!
the movie is pretty good and has some really good fighting and training scenes but the plot is corny and incredibly inconsistant. on first view, it seems just like another, drunken master, snake on the eagle's shadow, magnificent butcher or dance of the drunken mathis ripoff...well in fact it is, but not that great....is funny and pack with action, but nothing you haven't seen before. now, the dvd is plain awful!!! this is a columbia/try star release and it look horrible!!! the tranfer is directly from a betamax tape, not even vhs!!!! is grainy, dirty and washout....the dubbing is horrible and the subtitles is as phony as it gets!!!....no remaster at all, trystar did not put a penny on a new tranfer or colorcorrection or anything like it....it looks horrible!!!!! i can't believe this mayor film company didn't care and just wanted to get some money.....the movie is pretty entertaining but not the best...and the tranfer does it no justice!~~~ti bad this is the only copy avaliable

chantastic
this is by far the best of his early work this is chantastis has some of his best fights ever

Kung-Fu Comedy with a Young Jackie Chan
Have you ever watched one of the numerous Hong Kong or Chinese made movies where the various characters defy gravity, performing stunts like those in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"? This movie is a lot like those, but without resorting to the stunts that overcome the laws of physics.

I had to watch the movie twice because I missed a key connection at the beginning. Even catching on to the connection, portions of the movie remain a bit murky and the plot flow is somewhat jerky. The movie begins with The (Evil) Master and his henchmen chasing after three individuals. One of these individuals has an injured leg and escapes thanks to the self-sacrifice of the other two individuals, both of whom are killed.

We immediately jump to a long-haired, young Jacky Chan (yes, that's the way it was spelled in the credits) performing some sort of practice Kung-Fu routine for his grandfather. From this point forward, the movie plays like The Three Kung-Fu Stooges. I have to admit that as bad as the acting and the dubbing was, I laughed throughout this portion of the movie because it was funny. It was stupid, but it was funny too. The dubbing is atrocious, with weird English accents for each of the Chinese actors. This movie could definitely use a re-dub.

I enjoyed the martial arts throughout this movie because they all appeared real. I cringed when the actors fought, because when they hit each other, they HIT EACH OTHER! I can see where there had to have been a lot of bruises after each day of filming. There was nothing fake about any of the fight scenes. The actors' martial arts skills were very, very good. However, the "elderly" martial artists looked like 20-something actors with white hair and eyebrows.

We see Jackie's character as he goes through this interlude of comedy until The Master shows up and, by connecting the sign at Jackie's Kung Fu school to Jackie's grandfather, tracks him down and kills him. There isn't really any justification given for tracking down and killing these people by The Master, so we have to accept on faith that there is some sort of vendetta or history we are not privy to. Jackie tries to kill The Master, but of course does not. Instead Jackie encounters The Unicorn, who has a gimpy leg (recalling the beginning of this review). The Unicorn teaches Jacky a number of tricks and some really serious martial arts to go off and wreak vengeance on The Master and his henchmen.

This movie is corny, the acting is weak and often excessively overdone, and the plot is formulaic. However, it is still funny, and somehow it all works. As long as you aren't expecting a serious Kung-Fu movie, and as long as you are expecting very light entertainment, and particularly if you are a fan of Jackie Chan, you might find this movie interesting. Three stars because of the flaws, but I still like the movie and plan to watch it again. ... Read more

Description

Dimension Home Video presents DRAGON LORD, an action-packed martial arts adventure written, directed and starring Jackie Chan ("Shanghai Knights," "Rush Hour,") one of the world's greatest action stars.This fast-paced thriller is choreographed by renowned legend Corey Yuen of "Hero" and "Jet Li's The Enforcer."In DRAGON LORD, Dragon (Chan) and his buddy Cowboy (Mars) have been best friends since childhood, through thick and thin.But when they both fall head over heels for the same woman, the friends become rivals for her.When they come across a gang stealing valuable Chinese artifacts, Dragon and Cowboy join forces again and high-kick into gear to prevent the thieves from doing their dirty work. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Big Budget film does so-so on the Asian Market.
This film was originally going to be the sequel to Jackie Chan's blockbuster hit "Young Master" and carry the title "Young Master in Love", however, during the making of this film the plot changed from having connection to the original so the title "Dragon Lord" was given. This film was given the title Dragon Strike though because it is the English dubbed version. Jackie has many scenes, which actually included no gung fu at all and were taking place inside a sports arena. Some 50-200 shots were taken on a hackiack scene! Jackie ends up accidentally finding a gangs secret hideout and discovers a smuggling plot to illegally export Chinese artifacts. This film does have a few good fight scenes and is the first of his modern Hong Kong films. It also stars the famous Yuen Biao, which is a happy side note. Not a bad film for the martial arts/Hong Kong film viewer. Also a good pick for Chan fans. All together, Dragon Strike is a film worth owning.

Dragon Lord : Don't be confused, This is a good film.
Dragon Lord is the first good Jackie Chan film. All the elements of a classic Jackie Chan film came together in this film for the first time: 1) The well-trained but clumsy underdog hero whose adolescent tendencies get him into big trouble. 2) The use of almost cartoonish humor, blended with spectacular, sometimes death defying stunt work 3)sometimes brutal hand to hand fights with a bare minimum of bone breaking sound effects or blood.

This was only the second film Jackie directed. His first was Young Master and that film established Jackie as the martial arts Buster Keaton. However that film could not break out of the utterly formulaic restrictions the martial arts film and producers insisted upon.

Dragon Lord does change the formula and drastically. It also was not a box office success in Hong Kong and Jackie would work with his friends and Sammo (and fufill his contractual obligation to appear in the dreadful Cannonball Run 2 in 1983) before directing his first full-fledged Chan-masterpiece Project A in 1984. Dragon Lord was originally conceived as a sequel to Young Master, to be called Young Master in Love. But continuity did not allow the film to be an official sequel. It was first released (barely) to the U.S. as The Dragon Strikes in 1982. At this point in his career, Jackie knew he was not going to follow in the footsteps and be the new Bruce Lee for producer director Lo Wei. He had other things in mind and almost got what he was after with Dragon Lord.

For nearly the entire first hour of Dragon Lord , Dragon (Chan) and his best friend Cowboy (Mars) vie for the attentions of a young woman who's name we later learn is Sexxy. We are treated to an incredible display of stunt work in a opening title sequence of a Football game (not soccer) , Chinese Style. Forget about protective gear or the refs calling anyone for unnecessary roughness. 90 stunt people received minor injuries and Jackie hurt his chin so bad he was in pain when he tried to talk .

Later Cowboy and Dragon run into a field of tall grass after a pheasant and meet a desperate man trying to hide from some thugs. The thugs start to rough up Cowboy and Dragon but realize they are just kids and not connected to the man they want.

Dragon, sneaks out of his house and gets away from his studies to try and meet the young woman of his dreams but runs into his best friend and rival Cowboy. Cowboy seems to take the upper hand with a dirty trick performed in front of Dragon's father. But Dragon gets another opportunity and he has a plan. The plan involves staging an attack so that supposedly Cowboy can be a hero, but instead it's Dragon that is about to become a hero. Tempers flare however and Cowboy and Dragon fight and it becomes clear the attack was staged. The girl is not impressed and Cowboy and Dragon get into trouble and stop being friends.

Eventually the two friends make up and compete in a Chinese shuttlecck match which is played like soccer only instead of a ball the players use a shuttlecck )without rackets keeping it off the ground and moving it around without using their hands). The nearly fifteen minute sequence involving the playing of this game is a highlight of physical dexterity and stunt work. Picture the best hacky-sack players you have ever seen , now add non-stop acrobatics to the mix. Wow.

Next Dragon tries to send a note to the girl Sexxy. The kite carrying the note blows in the wrong direction and Dragon goes to retrieve it. He finds himself on a roof top and there is a top secret illegal smuggling operation going on below him. Men with spears try to get him and they almost succeed. Smugglers are stealing Ming Vases to ship out of the country illegally.

Dragon's father gives Dragon a test on his studies, and in another comic slapstick sequence Dragon manages to cheat himself through his father's examination.

This eventually all leads to a show-down with the thugs and smugglers for Cowboy and Dragon and the incredible 20 minute fight sequence finale of the film. A fight sequence which is full of all of the best of Jackie's trademark moves and humor, with only the barest minimum of any wire work or trickery. It's pure Jackie acrobatics for 20 minutes straight and a must see for all Jackie fans. He would re-stage and upgrade the fight slightly (with different characters) to end the Hong Kong film version of The Protector (the American version of this film with Danny Aielo is to be avoided except for the curious to compare it to the superior Hong Kong version of the film which Jackie re-edited and directed additional martial arts sequences for -including a new ending).

Dragon Lord doesn't represent Jackie's finest (look to Drunken Master 2 aka Legend of the Drunken Master and Project A part 2 for that). The first hour of the film feels too light and episodic. The use of music punctuates sequences in much the same way cartoon music is used. The sports sequences are knock-outs but they feel disconnected from the narrative of the film. It isn't until the final 40 minutes the film seems to come together when it generates a little bit of suspense and then delivers the knock out final fight sequence. Chan's direction and choreography though a bit repetitious after a while is impressive.

If you like Jackie Chan at all, put this one on your must see list and if your thinking maybe you'll buy it.. it's worth having!

- -Christopher J Jarmick,is the author of the steamy suspense thriller The Glass Coccon with Serena F. Holder

Uneven, but still entertaining
Dragon Lord is an interesting early directorial attempt by a very young Jackie Chan. It bounces back and forth between some strange sports and an actual story involving friends and girl chasing. Some times it's good, sometimes it drags. For me, the sporting events went on too long, although the bun pyramid race was an interesting depiction of a Chinese custom. I really enjoyed the story on this one, because the friendship between Jackie and his freind "Cowboy" was very charming, and I enjoyed their boyish pranks trying to woo a girl away from each other. The bigger plot is similar to "Drunken Master 2", with theives plotting to smuggle precious artifacts out of China -- a subject Jackie obviously feels strongly about, since it occurs again in "Rush Hour". It has a couple of exciting fights, and lots of athletic clowning which I enjoyed just as much as the fights.

Oops, wong movie!
To be honest, I haven't seen this film, but the very helpful review below is of the wrong movie! The reviewer below is referring to Dragon Fist, not Dragon Lord. They are two different movies!

Light on the Action, but Excellent Stunts!
My jaw dropped when I watched the Chinese hackey sack game. You'll cringe at the beginning of the movie as Jackie falls fromt the top of a human tower! OUCH! But the fight scenes were pretty lame and there wasn't a very good villain either. If you want a movie with a good villain and great action, get Young Master. ... Read more

Description

Director and star Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR 1 & 2, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS, THE TUXEDO, SHANGHAI NOON) is at his hard-hitting, high-flying best in this powerfully entertaining, action-packed treat! After defeating the evil Pirate Lo on the high seas, Dragon Mao (Chan) is assigned to lead the local police force. But he soon discovers that police corruption is running wild right under his nose! When he's framed for a jewelry robbery, Dragon Mao must fight to clear his name while battling with a group of spies, pirates, and revolutionaries who want to see him go down hard! Also starring the amazing Maggie Cheung (HERO, THE HEROIC TRIO, SUPERCOP). ... Read more

Reviews (11)

one of jackie's best
This is a really enjoyable film. The action is great, the comic timing perfect, the stunts amazing. I'm stumped by how Hollywood can decide to release Twin Dragons when there are such great Jackie classics as Project A 1 and 2, Drunken Master 1 and 2, Police Story 1 and 2.

Project A2 - twice as great!
I had seen Project A many times, so when, seeing Project A2 for the first time, was expecting more of the same (I also gave Project A five stars as well - how can anyone go wrong with a Jackie Chan film?!?!?!). But Project A2, IMHO, is much better, with more action and more amazing stunts (too bad I can't give it 6 stars!!). I have the subtitled version, and I've always liked those versions better, rather than the dubbed versions.

Don't think twice - get this movie (especially if you can find the subtitled version!!!).

Stick with Original
Why American production make HK movies look so cheap? First of all, they cut off so much scene, second of all ruin it by making look acting so dumb by English Dubb. ALWAYS stick with ORIGINAL LICENSED HK RELEASE. Be careful with cheap imports, boots though.

Better than I expected... the DVD, that is...
Alright... I'm keeping myself anonymous as I've been against Dimension Films' treatment of pretty much all Hong Kong imports, yet this release wasn't as bad... First off, I'm not sure if the print was cut at all, but at least the run time was over 100 min. Yes, this version has a new dub created by Dimension, HOWEVER, it has retained the original Hong Kong score. I don't believe Dimension has ever done this. The only thing close to this was the opposite with "Iron Monkey" in which the Cantonese track had been retained, but the music had changed. Also, the score was blasting in 5.1 surround sound, no less. And even the original sound effects were kept and with very good bass coming from the subwoofer. As for the picture, it looked almost like a brand new film. It might not've hit the standards of the Region 2 company "Hong Kong Legends", but was still highly impressive. As for extras... this is where it falls flat on its face... NOTHING! Also, I had feared that Dimension would chop out the outtakes since Jackie is seen singing in Cantonese in the original version, yet it was left in! Unfortunately, Dimension was too lazy to get subtitles for it. Well, it looks like Dimension may be getting closer to getting things right... but not until they release a Hong Kong film on DVD UNCUT and with BOTH English and Cantonese/Mandarin audio tracks. If Disney/Miramax, can take Japanese anime films ("Spirited Away", "Castle in the Sky", etc.) and give them high-class two disc releases, then why not Hong Kong live action films? They'd sell better that way as well. All we can do is wait... but it's getting harder and harder to hold my breath. As for this DVD... if you can find it for a decent price or you have a gift card and can't find anything else, it's actually worth the purchase. But, if you want original language over video quality, I guess you'll have to find the Mega Star Hong Kong DVD... either way, IT'S UP TO YOU!!

Project A 2 (1985)
This film is just as good as it's previous one. A hialarious scene is when Jackie was fighting the bad guys he had to eat REAL red hot chillies, spit the juice into his hands and rub the juice onto the bad guys eyes'. The plot is quite simiar to the other one but don't worry it's still is a real treat! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

one of jackie's best
This is a really enjoyable film. The action is great, the comic timing perfect, the stunts amazing. I'm stumped by how Hollywood can decide to release Twin Dragons when there are such great Jackie classics as Project A 1 and 2, Drunken Master 1 and 2, Police Story 1 and 2.

Project A2 - twice as great!
I had seen Project A many times, so when, seeing Project A2 for the first time, was expecting more of the same (I also gave Project A five stars as well - how can anyone go wrong with a Jackie Chan film?!?!?!). But Project A2, IMHO, is much better, with more action and more amazing stunts (too bad I can't give it 6 stars!!). I have the subtitled version, and I've always liked those versions better, rather than the dubbed versions.

Don't think twice - get this movie (especially if you can find the subtitled version!!!).

Stick with Original
Why American production make HK movies look so cheap? First of all, they cut off so much scene, second of all ruin it by making look acting so dumb by English Dubb. ALWAYS stick with ORIGINAL LICENSED HK RELEASE. Be careful with cheap imports, boots though.

Better than I expected... the DVD, that is...
Alright... I'm keeping myself anonymous as I've been against Dimension Films' treatment of pretty much all Hong Kong imports, yet this release wasn't as bad... First off, I'm not sure if the print was cut at all, but at least the run time was over 100 min. Yes, this version has a new dub created by Dimension, HOWEVER, it has retained the original Hong Kong score. I don't believe Dimension has ever done this. The only thing close to this was the opposite with "Iron Monkey" in which the Cantonese track had been retained, but the music had changed. Also, the score was blasting in 5.1 surround sound, no less. And even the original sound effects were kept and with very good bass coming from the subwoofer. As for the picture, it looked almost like a brand new film. It might not've hit the standards of the Region 2 company "Hong Kong Legends", but was still highly impressive. As for extras... this is where it falls flat on its face... NOTHING! Also, I had feared that Dimension would chop out the outtakes since Jackie is seen singing in Cantonese in the original version, yet it was left in! Unfortunately, Dimension was too lazy to get subtitles for it. Well, it looks like Dimension may be getting closer to getting things right... but not until they release a Hong Kong film on DVD UNCUT and with BOTH English and Cantonese/Mandarin audio tracks. If Disney/Miramax, can take Japanese anime films ("Spirited Away", "Castle in the Sky", etc.) and give them high-class two disc releases, then why not Hong Kong live action films? They'd sell better that way as well. All we can do is wait... but it's getting harder and harder to hold my breath. As for this DVD... if you can find it for a decent price or you have a gift card and can't find anything else, it's actually worth the purchase. But, if you want original language over video quality, I guess you'll have to find the Mega Star Hong Kong DVD... either way, IT'S UP TO YOU!!

Project A 2 (1985)
This film is just as good as it's previous one. A hialarious scene is when Jackie was fighting the bad guys he had to eat REAL red hot chillies, spit the juice into his hands and rub the juice onto the bad guys eyes'. The plot is quite simiar to the other one but don't worry it's still is a real treat! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Whoa...COOL!
Sitting in awe of Jackie and this DVD. That man is amazing. A must have for any Jackie Chan fan. Long live (and love) Jackie Chan!

Everybody loves Jackie!
Whether you are a die hard Jackie fan or a passive visitor of the infinite Jackie video libraries you will find this "documentary" highly entertaining. This isn't a typical type of documentary because it features Jackie and his stunt crew showing off how the intricacies of their action sequences. It seems Jackie actually took the time to film this twice, one where he speaks his native language and another time where it is filmed in english. He didn't simply dub it, there are two sides to the DVD.

Pay attention as Jackie nails the camera while demonstrating how they use fake blood...what a pro!

Wonderful
Excellent behind the scenes type video explaining and detailing everything you could want to know. Too bad we don't get to see Chan do much execpt for when they show some of the greater moments from past movies. Get it!

Jackie Rocks!
This DVD is a must have for any Chan fan! Take a tour behind the scenes as Jackie gives an in depth look into the art of making a classic "Jackie Chan movie." You'll see exclusive footage and fighting sequences choreographed by Jackie and performed by his stunt guys and students. You'll go behind the scenes on the set of Who Am I? and Rush Hour, take a bus tour in Hong Kong with Jackie hanging by umbrella for a look at Police Story revisited, listen as Jackie tells fascinating stories about stunts gone awry, visit the Jackie Chan Stunt Lab. You'll learn what it is that makes his fight sequences so spectacular, get a glimpse of their training techniques, hear some of Jackie's ideas and plans for the future and so much more! This DVD is high quality stuff, and the JC Group went all out to make this documentary as a gift to his fans. In fact, some of the stunt men were actually hurt in the filming! If you truely love Jackie's movies you must have this DVD! It is so much fun!

Very Helpful and entertaining
I find myself constantly fascinated by this man, Jackie Chan. He never ceases to amaze me. Look how old he is and try to understand how he does what he does. He truly is a legend in the flesh.

This particular DVD is an excellent example of how Jackie makes his stunt driven movies. He goes into fine detail on how he sets up the scenes and prepares for each of his breathtaking stunts. It also gives you a little insight on Jackie's creative stunt team that have been black listed on the insurance market for doing what they do. It shows that without them Jackie's stunts would never look as good as they do. For me this DVD was a great "HOW TO" movie. I myself make cheesy movies every now and again with friends and hope to someday make big budget movies, this DVD showed me how to perform some stunts with better protection and just made me think of new ways I can decieve the audience. Mind you, don't go trying this stuff at home unless you are physically fit and mentally fit for it.

In the end I would have to say this is just another Jackie Chan movie that must be in your collection. What's great is that there are two sides to the disc, one is English (yay!) and the other is Mandarin. No subtitles here baby! Buy it, buy it, buy it I say! For Jackie Chan will never fail to entertain you. ... Read more

Description

Director and star Jackie Chan (Rush Hour 1 & 2, Shanghai Knights, The Tuxedo, Shanghai Noon) is at his hard-hitting, high-flying best in this powerfully entertaining, action-packed treat! After defeating the evil Pirate Lo on the high seas, Dragon Mao (Chan) is assigned to lead the local police force. But he soon discovers that police corruption is running wild right under his nose! When he's framed for a jewelry robbery, Dragon Mao must fight to clear his name while battling with a group of spies, pirates, and revolutionaries who want to see him go down hard! Also starring the amazing Maggie Cheung (Hero, The Heroic Trio, Supercop). ... Read more

Reviews (11)

one of jackie's best
This is a really enjoyable film. The action is great, the comic timing perfect, the stunts amazing. I'm stumped by how Hollywood can decide to release Twin Dragons when there are such great Jackie classics as Project A 1 and 2, Drunken Master 1 and 2, Police Story 1 and 2.

Project A2 - twice as great!
I had seen Project A many times, so when, seeing Project A2 for the first time, was expecting more of the same (I also gave Project A five stars as well - how can anyone go wrong with a Jackie Chan film?!?!?!). But Project A2, IMHO, is much better, with more action and more amazing stunts (too bad I can't give it 6 stars!!). I have the subtitled version, and I've always liked those versions better, rather than the dubbed versions.

Don't think twice - get this movie (especially if you can find the subtitled version!!!).

Stick with Original
Why American production make HK movies look so cheap? First of all, they cut off so much scene, second of all ruin it by making look acting so dumb by English Dubb. ALWAYS stick with ORIGINAL LICENSED HK RELEASE. Be careful with cheap imports, boots though.

Better than I expected... the DVD, that is...
Alright... I'm keeping myself anonymous as I've been against Dimension Films' treatment of pretty much all Hong Kong imports, yet this release wasn't as bad... First off, I'm not sure if the print was cut at all, but at least the run time was over 100 min. Yes, this version has a new dub created by Dimension, HOWEVER, it has retained the original Hong Kong score. I don't believe Dimension has ever done this. The only thing close to this was the opposite with "Iron Monkey" in which the Cantonese track had been retained, but the music had changed. Also, the score was blasting in 5.1 surround sound, no less. And even the original sound effects were kept and with very good bass coming from the subwoofer. As for the picture, it looked almost like a brand new film. It might not've hit the standards of the Region 2 company "Hong Kong Legends", but was still highly impressive. As for extras... this is where it falls flat on its face... NOTHING! Also, I had feared that Dimension would chop out the outtakes since Jackie is seen singing in Cantonese in the original version, yet it was left in! Unfortunately, Dimension was too lazy to get subtitles for it. Well, it looks like Dimension may be getting closer to getting things right... but not until they release a Hong Kong film on DVD UNCUT and with BOTH English and Cantonese/Mandarin audio tracks. If Disney/Miramax, can take Japanese anime films ("Spirited Away", "Castle in the Sky", etc.) and give them high-class two disc releases, then why not Hong Kong live action films? They'd sell better that way as well. All we can do is wait... but it's getting harder and harder to hold my breath. As for this DVD... if you can find it for a decent price or you have a gift card and can't find anything else, it's actually worth the purchase. But, if you want original language over video quality, I guess you'll have to find the Mega Star Hong Kong DVD... either way, IT'S UP TO YOU!!

Project A 2 (1985)
This film is just as good as it's previous one. A hialarious scene is when Jackie was fighting the bad guys he had to eat REAL red hot chillies, spit the juice into his hands and rub the juice onto the bad guys eyes'. The plot is quite simiar to the other one but don't worry it's still is a real treat! ... Read more