Drunken Master on DVD (1978)

bombshell from London , 26/06/2004

This film is hilarious…! Starring a youthful and arrogant Jackie Chan in all his glory, and a cast of jokers it would seem!

The story in traditional style is entirely corny, and provides an appropriate backdrop for much vengeance, showing off and general combat.

The Kung Fu is aesthetically stunning, although a tad too theatrical and choreographed for my preferences. However, nonetheless a feat of co-ordination, and awe-inspiring to watch in the same way as a complex break dance routine!

The ‘Drunken Master’ concept is what swings it however, and the notion that a few sherbets can tip the martial arts master over into a state of mind body and soul where seemingly staggering, special styles of drunken gods are the ultimate fighting stances that will defeat all others.

The characters are humorously and convincingly styled within the constraints of the genre, and the discipline of the art is effectively conveyed in a most entertaining fashion!

Veering towards the light entertainment end of the martial arts spectrum, I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone with an interest in martial arts, or indeed, in comedy. Highly amusing!

  9 out of 9 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Reading, England , 14/10/2004

this is one of the true greats in kung fu cinema, as normal it has the common twist of student finds legendary master to train him in order to overcome something. in this film it shows jackie chan playing the young Wong Fei Hung, later to be played by jet li in the once upon a time in china films. basic storyline without spoiling it is, wong fei hung is a bit of a cheeky git, good at kung fu but overly confident and extremely cocky, his dad who is a kung fu master gets really pissed off at him when he finds ot the things that fei hung has been up to and tries to break him with some seriously harsh training techniques. when these dont work he sends fei hung to be trained by a master called beggar su, reknowned for his tortuous training techniques. so without wanting to spoil any more of this fei hung needs to master the technique known as 'eight drunken gods'. resulting in some incredible martial arts fight scenes and one of the best finale fights in the classic kung fu movies. if you have never seen a proper kung fu movie before this is definately one to start you off with, the humour is light the martial arts are varied and extremely well executed. a true martial arts classic

  5 out of 6 people found this review helpful

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pa6363 from Essex , 23/10/2004

If you grew up on martial arts movies, back in the day when martial artists fought without wire work and the fight scenes were not sped up to make them look cool. You'll love this.

Great story line fantastic fight scenes and the comedy timing is excellent. A must for those who like there Kung Fu as it's meant to be hard and raw not diluted.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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RightHandofDoom from Peterborough [Highly rated reviewer] , 15/02/2008

This was the last film in Jackie's 3 film contract with Golden Harvest, so rather then carry on with trying to be the next Bruce Lee he decided to have a laugh.

And the rest is history.

The fight scenes are still good despite them being superseded by more modern films but it's the fact there is a story that makes this a cut above the rest.

Forget Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon, get a real Jackie Chan film...get Drunken Master.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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A customer from London , 07/12/2004

Old school doesn't get any better than this. Jackie in his prime performing some great moves although not as acrobatic as he is his other movies, this set out to make his career. Yuen Wo-Ping directing his father, the one true drunken master as well as the vicious Hwang Jan Lee (who now runs a golf company) in one of the more balanced martial arts movies. Odd as there isn't much revenge, but small moments of true acting from Jackie. You won't be disappointed.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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A customer from Manchester , 12/10/2004

Jackie Chan's classic kung fu comedy is a masterpiece. The fights are excellent and the humour is plentiful.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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