Last Hurrah for Chivalry
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Movie Reviews of Last Hurrah for Chivalry
Movie Review: Great John Woo Martial Arts movie !
Summary: 5 Stars
Review of the widescreen edition of Dragon Dynasty release of "Last Hurrah for Chivalry". This is an early John Woo directed movie, where he just joined the Golden Harvest studio.
The movies starts off with a wedding, with Mr. Kao marrying the local concubine. When asked why he married a whore, he replies: " I did it for the publicity". Classic ! The wedding party is interrupted by local rivals led by the nefarious Pai (played by Lee Hui-Son). Pai and his crew slaughter everyone, but Mr, Kao escapes. As he recovers, Mr, Kao is looking for martial artists to recruit to avenge his and his families honor. He encounters Chang of the Magic Sword (played by Wei Pai), who later befriends Green the Assassin (Daiman Lau). Kao recruits Chang to help him defeat Pai, and along the way Green decides to help Chang. During this time, Pray (Fung Hak-On) comes to challenge Chang as the best swordsman in the area. There is a great duel in the country between the two. After Chang defeats Pray, he and Green go to Pai's villa to defeat him. There are some great martial arts, but the best is Chang and Green versus the Sleeping Wizard(Chien Yuet San). Awesome swordsplay, martial arts, and comedy thrown in for good measure!
I really enjoyed the martial arts choreography. There are some great duels not only with kung fu, but various types of martial arts weapons. Pray, one of the villains, was actually also the action choreographer of the movie. There are some great twists in the plot, as another reviewer already mentioned. I saw one coming, but it turned out opposite of what I thought! There is some great comedic interaction between the various parties, including Green and Chang, and then in the battle of Green, Chang, and the Sleeping Wizard!
Some of the extra's on the DVD include:
* Commentary of the film by Kung Fu Cinema Expert Bey Logan.
* Pray For Death: Interview with Fung Hak-On.
Fung was Pray in the movie, who as I mentioned before was also the action choreographer on the film. He relates who he and John Woo made the transition to Golden Harvest Studios, and their relationship as friends.
* Deliver Us From Evil: An Interview with Lee Hui-San
Lee was Pai, the evil martial artist in the film. He is very entertaining as he describes how the movie was made and the various actors in the film.
* Legendary Weapons of China Featurette
This small documentary was very informational. One of the best extra's I have seen in a martial arts movie. Bey Logan talks about the various weapons used in the martial arts movies. Excellent!
* There is also an Original Theatrical trailer, plus there are 4 trailers at the beginning of the film for some Dragon Dynasty releases.
Once again, another great Martial Arts movie, re-released by Dragon Dynasty! Highly Recommended for any Kung Fu library!
Movie Review: What to say that hasn't been said-a short and simple review
Summary: 5 Stars
LHfC is a great movie. Since it's a Dragon Dynasty release it means that the picture is as good as you're going to find on anything this old. The audio is flawless. Of course, the presentation of the menus and extras is top-notch.
The biggest point I'd like to make is that John Woo not only directed this film, he also wrote it. He hasn't done much in the way of writing when it comes to his US films. But back in HK, he wrote just about every one of his major films. To me, that makes this film all the better. If you are a Woo fan, but have somehow missed this, you'll love it. It is trademark Woo.
2 friends who fight side by side-check. Slo-mo combined with slick choreography-check. Slick moving camera that takes on a life of its own-check. Sense of epic and grandeur-check. Doves flying just prior to a major action scene-che. . .OK, so it doesn't have ALL the Woo trademarks. But most of them.
The story is very solid and takes some turns to keep it from being just standard action fare. If you enjoy Kung Fu flicks, this one is excellent. While it's not Crouching Tiger or Hero and isn't loaded with wire-fu. It is definitely the predecessor of these films and is most enjoyable, even by today's standards.
I really thought I would have to lower my expectations a bit since it was an older film that would primarily have the 'rhythmic' kung fu you could set a metronome to. But even that played out well, and more creatively than I would have thought. There's a ton of action, the characters are fun and have some dimension, the story flows well and is creative, and it's just a good movie. Any fan of martial arts flicks should more than easily be able to enjoy this one.
Movie Review: one fine flick
Summary: 5 Stars
As this classic opens, we find a couple of characters in vastly different positions. With one being a drunk, assasin for hire that has no morals at all. Add in a little bit of romance that is rebuffed repeatedly by the would be assassin and the woman who longs for his affection. Then we have another that's more into doing his own thing but is very well known for his martial arts skills. There's a 3rd party that plays pretty prominently in this film as well. It seems that his intentions are good when he tries to hire the skilled martial arts fighter. Its over revenge for his family that were killed.
Its what we are led to believe at least. I won't give out what it's really over. But i must say that i didnt see that one coming at all. For a film of this age, it transfers well as things are bright and lively. The colors and backgrounds are well done and of course the fighting is very well done. 2 on 1, 1 on 1, several on 1. Its pretty much all covered in this flick that should be added to everyone's DVD collection as soon as possible. Your able to watch this in Cantonese or English. I prefer the original language and reading the subtitles. It has more of an effect for me.
"Last Hurrah for Chivalry" is one film that holds your attention throughout.
Movie Review: Flawless John Woo Film
Summary: 5 Stars
From the director of Hard Boiled and The Killer comes this dazzling, brilliant, flawless Kung Fu flick called "Last Hurrah For Chivalry". The one thing that stands out from everything else is the acting and the fighting. Damian Lau and Wei pai take not only the sword fights to another level but also a brilliant team of acting. I loved how they combined the sword fights with hand to hand combat, the transitions between the two were awesome!. I was amazed with every minute of this film. If you dont have this yet, get it right now! Dragon Dynasty is one of the best places to get your martial arts films, classics and modern kung fu flicks. Don't miss this one!
Special Features include:
Pray For Death-Interview with Fung Hak-On
Deliver Us From Evil-Interview with Lee Hoi-Son
Legendary Weapons of China Featurette
Commentary by Bey Logan
Trailer Gallery
Movie Review: Chivalry is Still Alive
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie comes from the Director of HARD BOILED and THE KILLER. A Kung Fu cinema review summarises it as follows, "A superior swordplay extravaganza". And according to Eleanor Manikka from All Movie Guide, it is full with "Dazzling fight sequences". Before launching to international fame with THE KILLER and HARD BOILED, John Woo proved his mastery of action direction with LAST HURRAH FOR CHIVALRY. Loaded with brilliantly choreographed action action sequences that would become Woo's trademark, the sword fighting saga of honor and loyalty is "a near flawless pic" (Kung Fu Cinema). Two master swordsmen agree to help a desperate man avenge his family's murder, only to discover that they may be pawns in a larger, more treacherous plot. The twisting story, fascinating characters, and sensational battle scenes combine to make this film an essential martial arts classic.