Anita Mui and Jackie Chan in "The Legend of Drunken Master."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, we give this film a: Stars: Jackie Chan, Ti Lung, Anita Mui and Ken Lo Director: Lau Ka Leung Rated: R, with violence Length: 102 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

by Bill Muller
Gannett News Service

(October 20, 2000) -- You know you're in trouble when the Ax Gang shows up.

First, they're called the Ax Gang. Second, there are about 100 of them, all outfitted by Ninjas `R' Us. Third, they have axes. Very sharp axes.

For most of us, that would spell certain doom. But not Jackie Chan. In fact, the Ax Gang isn't even the toughest opponent Chan faces in The Legend of Drunken Master, a classic Hong Kong martial arts film that showcases Chan's spectacular acrobatic skills and stellar stunt work.

First released in Asia in 1994, the movie takes its name from Drunken Kung Fu, a form of fighting that involves bobbing and weaving as if drunk. Chan plays Wong Fei-Hung, a skilled fighter who becomes virtually invincible after a few (actually, quite a few) drinks.

Drunken Master is more old Jackie Chan than new. This is not an Americanized Chan film like Rumble in the Bronx or a Hollywood version like Rush Hour or Shanghai Noon. This is a nitty gritty martial arts movie, with campy, dubbed dialogue, a paper-thin plot and some stunning fight choreography.

Fans of the old Bruce Lee movies like Enter the Dragon will love this one. But don't go expecting some polished product. Chan's older movies are more about inventive physical tricks and some fairly goofy slapstick.

The film includes all the usual Chan trademarks: running up walls, using all sorts of objects to defend himself and even (gasp) losing a fight or two. And as always, Chan keeps a smile on his face and keeps the tone light.

Since this is a classic martial arts movie, Chan's character squares off against armies of opponents, like the dreaded Ax Gang and some factory toughs armed with steel poles. But he keeps proving that it's hard to hit a moving target.

Though the build-up is fine, The Legend of Drunken Master is best known for its brilliant climax: a 20-minute continuous fight scene inside a steel mill, which took four months to shoot. It includes the film's finest martial arts sequence, between Chan and his real-life bodyguard Ken Lo, a champion kick boxer.

Watching Chan and Lo battle it out, you just have to marvel at Chan's ability to choreograph long, intricate fight scenes with no break in the action.

As for plot, Drunken Master doesn't offer much of one. There's some murky business about stolen Chinese artifacts and Wong's dad (Ti Lung) owning a martial arts school, but they don't let it get in the way of the spin kicks and back flips.

There's also some slapstick when two bags get mixed up on a train, leading evil smugglers to Wong's door.

Wong's stepmother (Anita Mui) actually offers some of the films lightest moments, secretly encouraging Wong to pursue drunken Kung Fu against the wishes of his stern father.

But none of that really matters. We're all just waiting for the next action sequence, when Chan tries to top himself once again.

And for Chan, that's the toughest trick of all.