the existing video of this is ugly looking to begin with. but that sort of thing i can tolerate.

what i can't tolerate is a story that has no coherence and doesn't actually go anywhere; pathetically childish humor - it's all canton-comedy sight gags - a few, brief fight scenes masquerading as kung-fu, characters we'd rather not meet, let alone spend 90 minutes watching, and just shoddy production values overall.

Wilson tong has made some good films, but this isn't one of them.

the only importance of this film is historical - although the 'new wave' of hong kong action films had to find its identity, this film is clearly no longer a part of the old-school chop-socky 'fu film era of the seventies. in many ways, one can read the intended humor of this film as a kind of vomiting up of, and on, the old-school values.

but i find this offensive and misguided. martial arts humor is like any other kind of humor - it can be either light-hearted or fierce, but in the first instance, it must entertain.

this film doesn't.

Mandarin-language cinema across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore explores historical reflection, cultural identity, and personal sacrifice, often expressed through poetic visuals and sweeping narratives. In Mainland China, this takes the form of allegory and large-scale epics that reflect on national history. Taiwan emphasizes intimate modernist realism, generational change, and the search for identity. Singapore contributes stories of migration, multiculturalism, and the negotiation of tradition in a globalized city.

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Ah-fei and Dragon, students under the brother kung-fu masters Shorty and Uncle, are sent to clear the ghosts out of a haunted house. After a brief search, they soon find that the "ghosts" are nothing but props set up by a couple of con artists. After making quick work of the cheats, the fighting pair discover that there is actually a real ghost hiding in the house! Ah-fei and Dragon may have studied their martial arts well, but how do you beat up something that's already dead?

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