Jie shi ying xiong (1979)

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Siskoid
Shaolin Rescuers isn't quite as sadistic as most Chang Cheh films, and starts out, in fact, as a comedy about two ne'er-do-wells who can't wait to quit their menial jobs and become martial arts heroes. These are played by my two favorite Venoms, Lo Meng and Kwok Choi, and though prone to douchebaggery, their schemes and irresponsible behavior as they destroy their work environments practicing their moves is pretty fun. Their lives intersect a larger, more violent plot when they take in, heal and protect a heroic Shaolin disciple in the wake of Pai Mei's treacherous destruction of the temple. In Chang Cheh style, numerous assassins, each armed with exotic weapons, come to town and tangle with our heroes. Recognizable stars (any of the group known as the Venoms) have the tightest fights, but the choreography tends to be weaker where others are involved, and though I'm used to Shaw Brothers films ending on an abrupt freeze frame sans epilogue, Shaolin Rescuers ends before I could properly process just who had lived and died. The movie is at its best when it's a comedy, and that's not something I would have expected from this particular director 8 years 10 months ago
1Cloche
aka 'Shaolin Rescuers' 9 years 5 months ago