I admit, I'm a huge fan of the Shaw Brothers studio; alongside Hammer, it's my favourite film production house. Most of their films seem to be bright, action-packed and thoroughly entertaining, and THE FIVE VENOMS (aka FIVE DEADLY VENOMS) is one of their most influential outings. Here's the good news: the director is Chang Cheh, one of Shaw's most prolific and best, so you can rest assured that the film is a visual treat. The cast is decent, featuring the five famous Venom kung fu actors in their most memorable roles (Lo Meng is particularly good as the tough Toad, forced to undergo a number of strenuous trials). Production values are exemplary, as you'd expect.
What about the martial arts? Well, it's relatively plentiful, as you'd expect, but not quite up there with the best of the Shaw Brothers. Oh, it's good, you can be assured of that, but it's not on a level with the frenetic action of, say, FIVE ELEMENT NINJAS or CRIPPLED AVENGERS. The complex, angst-filled mystery-cum-kung-fu story is actually better than the action and doesn't simply serve to support the action sequences as in some of the (many) Venoms sequels. Each of the stars looks great and develops their own character even at this early stage: Sun Chien as stern and serious; Phillip Kwok as do-gooding and heroic; Lu Feng as psychotic and villainous; Chiang Sheng as the trickster; Lo Meng as dumb but strong. It's all good, unique in fact, and THE FIVE VENOMS is a classic for a reason; there's little to dislike here.
What about the martial arts? Well, it's relatively plentiful, as you'd expect, but not quite up there with the best of the Shaw Brothers. Oh, it's good, you can be assured of that, but it's not on a level with the frenetic action of, say, FIVE ELEMENT NINJAS or CRIPPLED AVENGERS. The complex, angst-filled mystery-cum-kung-fu story is actually better than the action and doesn't simply serve to support the action sequences as in some of the (many) Venoms sequels. Each of the stars looks great and develops their own character even at this early stage: Sun Chien as stern and serious; Phillip Kwok as do-gooding and heroic; Lu Feng as psychotic and villainous; Chiang Sheng as the trickster; Lo Meng as dumb but strong. It's all good, unique in fact, and THE FIVE VENOMS is a classic for a reason; there's little to dislike here.