I'm not the biggest fan of 70s kung fu movies, much prefer the 80s-90s era. This is because a lot of films from this period do fall into a tired overdone premise like revenge or trafficking etc. Also a lot of the fight scenes have aged poorly when compared to the crisp relentless action of later years.
BUT sometimes a film goes under the radar and impresses me hugely. One of them is HAPKIDO. First the fight scenes are superb, thanks to the likes of a young Sammo Hung who also co-stars in the film. The action is busy, creative and looks like it could've been done today, which is rare. But most praise goes to the queen of martial arts cinema Angela Mao, who is best known as Bruce lee's tragic sister in Enter the Dragon, shows incredible athletism and the camera just loves her. Great support from legends like Carter Wong, Wong In Sik and Ji Han Jae adds depth to the action.
The story is also very good as it centers on students trying to establish a hapkido school during the cruel Japanese oppression. It puts its characters in situations including consequences of being a hero.
HAPKIDO is worth the time of anyone who wishes to watch a great example of how good 70s martial art movies are, to show it was not all about Bruce or Jackie.
BUT sometimes a film goes under the radar and impresses me hugely. One of them is HAPKIDO. First the fight scenes are superb, thanks to the likes of a young Sammo Hung who also co-stars in the film. The action is busy, creative and looks like it could've been done today, which is rare. But most praise goes to the queen of martial arts cinema Angela Mao, who is best known as Bruce lee's tragic sister in Enter the Dragon, shows incredible athletism and the camera just loves her. Great support from legends like Carter Wong, Wong In Sik and Ji Han Jae adds depth to the action.
The story is also very good as it centers on students trying to establish a hapkido school during the cruel Japanese oppression. It puts its characters in situations including consequences of being a hero.
HAPKIDO is worth the time of anyone who wishes to watch a great example of how good 70s martial art movies are, to show it was not all about Bruce or Jackie.