The first great thing I have to say about this release, is that it is presented in letterbox widescreen allowing for a full view of the directors vision.
Unfortunately as with most of the Hollywood East titles, the film itself is a washed out print - still quite watchable but just unfortunate they couldn't have cleaned it up somewhat. Well, what do you expect for £1 I guess..?
Red Lotus Vs Lama is quite the lavish production, wonderfully filmed with great costumes and plenty of locations which just makes me want to see a full HD version in original language. While very much fixed on a solid story, the fights come aplenty and - while not spectacular - are quite enjoyable to watch.
Kung fu superstar Judy Lee (classmate of the equally wonderful Angela Mao Ying) gets to let loose a number of times which is great, but it takes a good hour into the film before super-kicker Tan Tao Liang pops up to help. When I say pops up, I literally mean he pops up. It's as if the (then) popular actor was on the next hill filming something else and was just passing by. Because after that quick fight scene, he's very quickly out of the picture again!
The evil clan of Shaolin monks really don't get any action until after the hour mark also kicking off in a battle with the queen boxer using weapons that look like the Flying Guillotine, but are just giant iron bells on chains!
The last 30 minutes of the film is pretty much just a solid block of swordplay and kung fu fighting and while still quite serious, lends itself to some unintentional laughs. This starts with random scenes of a giant eagle (with elevator sound effects) thrown in for giggles, a few wobbly sets, sudden wire enhanced moves, and those typical 70's background fighters doing little dance moves as if to look busy.
That said, the final battle at the Red Lotus temple is pretty damn good, with our heroes taking on the monks and extended bad guys with some great moves and choreography (not to mention that damned giant eagle). And for once, this prides itself as a 70's kung fu flick that just doesn't freeze-frame on the final blow but instead offers a final scene of remorse, drama and discussion as to their final actions.
Overall: Not a classic in any sense, but delivers a lot of fun and highly watchable!
Unfortunately as with most of the Hollywood East titles, the film itself is a washed out print - still quite watchable but just unfortunate they couldn't have cleaned it up somewhat. Well, what do you expect for £1 I guess..?
Red Lotus Vs Lama is quite the lavish production, wonderfully filmed with great costumes and plenty of locations which just makes me want to see a full HD version in original language. While very much fixed on a solid story, the fights come aplenty and - while not spectacular - are quite enjoyable to watch.
Kung fu superstar Judy Lee (classmate of the equally wonderful Angela Mao Ying) gets to let loose a number of times which is great, but it takes a good hour into the film before super-kicker Tan Tao Liang pops up to help. When I say pops up, I literally mean he pops up. It's as if the (then) popular actor was on the next hill filming something else and was just passing by. Because after that quick fight scene, he's very quickly out of the picture again!
The evil clan of Shaolin monks really don't get any action until after the hour mark also kicking off in a battle with the queen boxer using weapons that look like the Flying Guillotine, but are just giant iron bells on chains!
The last 30 minutes of the film is pretty much just a solid block of swordplay and kung fu fighting and while still quite serious, lends itself to some unintentional laughs. This starts with random scenes of a giant eagle (with elevator sound effects) thrown in for giggles, a few wobbly sets, sudden wire enhanced moves, and those typical 70's background fighters doing little dance moves as if to look busy.
That said, the final battle at the Red Lotus temple is pretty damn good, with our heroes taking on the monks and extended bad guys with some great moves and choreography (not to mention that damned giant eagle). And for once, this prides itself as a 70's kung fu flick that just doesn't freeze-frame on the final blow but instead offers a final scene of remorse, drama and discussion as to their final actions.
Overall: Not a classic in any sense, but delivers a lot of fun and highly watchable!
