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| Tough Guy (1997) Directed by: Ka Ka |
Pure turkey that blends modern day action (hence Yu Rong-Guang and Billy Chow) and drama as the often used terminally ill character plot point rears its head here. Admittedly, that comes as a surprise but neither elements are executed with any skill. The action is dreadfully edited at times and the drama (also dreadfully performed) never is able to go beyond any of the clichés. I'll tell you what Tough Guy has that no other movie has though; a scene where a character falls into a crematorium furnace with melting corpses! That's something you don't see every day. Buy the VCD at: |
| Tough Ninja The Shadow Warrior (1986) Directed by: Larry Hutton |
A product of Tomas Tang's Filmark International, true to form their 1986 production is an assembly of their own shot ninja footage and an older, unconnected flick . In this case, the 1982 crime actioner Unreal Dream directed by Patrick Kong, starring Chan Lee-Lee, Michael Chan, Phillip Ko and Dai Sai-An. Senselessly Cobbled together with a ninja plot and dubbed into English for its international exposure and credited to director Larry Hutton (a pseudonym for... someone), Ko and Dai Sai-An both appear in the newly shot footage but no real attempt have been made to make the blend seamless (or good). Ko sports a ten times larger moustache than he had in 82 and Dai all of a sudden has the makings of one when he fights with a group of ninjas on the street (actually the best scene of the film). Plot is of no concern because it's messed up even more in Filmark's hands, with hints at the immigrants and robbery plot from the original being connected thoroughly to the crime syndicate of ninjas. Doesn't make sense, nor excites and the movie is therefore left to its own crazy devices. That's why it's in a way shameful to say that we need MORE of Tomas Tang's influence on the movie because coupled with the general poor filmmaking and hilarious English dubbing, all new scenes are classic camp stuff, popping up way too infrequently. The wonderfully funny and inept sights treats us to a fat bellied ninja leader that turns very slim come fight time (i.e. his stunt double enter) and two scenes with a Bruce Lee copy are inserted for no other reason than to have a Bruce Lee copy appear. Oh they knew their market alright. But to be balanced in my views, Unreal Dream deserves a chance to be judged on its own merits because it clearly flirts with insanity as well, especially so since a main character has rabies! |
| The Tournament (1974) Directed by: Wong Fung |
The team behind Hap Ki Do and When Taekwondo Strikes brings us this modern day effort that, compared to the former mentioned movie, disappoints. Director Wong Fung's straightforward direction slows down many parts of the film and fans will certainly be disappointed by the lack of action in the first half. When it does hit, Sammo Hung and Chan Chuen's choreography is fast and powerful but there lacks a dedication to it overall. It's sad when the best fight in the film, between Whang In Sik and Mao, occurs way too early. There was a great oppurtunity to end the movie with another bout between the two but the filmmakers opted to introduce a Western fighter instead. An example of the fact there isn't a whole lot of focus to certain areas of the film. Anglea Mao doesn't disappoint however and she displays that famous ferocity with a true fighting ability that few could rival. Quite a number of familiar faces stop by for a quick visit including Sammo himself, Wilson Tong and Yuen Biao. The Tournament is a good watch if you're a fan of the performers but know that previous efforts possesses much more quality. Time to rewatch Hap Ki Do. |
| The Tragic Fantasy - Tiger of Wanchai (1994) Directed by: Stephen Lo & Joe Chu |
Based on a true story and being one of the few Hong Kong movies with a Dolby soundtrack at the time, things are as expected in this genre entry and it's not likeable. Simon Yam is Chan Yiu-Hing who together his core group of buddies (played by Vincent Wan, Roy Cheung and Lau Ching-Wan) rise from lowly parking attendants to power players in the triad world (in VERY fashion, as the montage-format dictates). A rise must come with a fall however... Characters act as as the triad punks that they are, flashing aggressions, bad fashion and they're of course often in debt with maniacally laughing loan sharks. Within this we're supposed to care for the story of sworn brothers where also Yam's Chan flashes his loneliness aura as he can't live without a woman. The one in this case being Mil (Marianne Chan) but here's a key plot that is as pedestrian and sloppily handled as the rest of the movie. Someone spent way too much attention on the behind the scenes techniques but got merely some plus points for Simon Yam's lively performance (but inappropriately over the top for a serious movie) and some shots of gloriously gory triad violence. A solid cast come and go, including Yvonne Yung, Ben Lam, William Ho, Lo Lieh and Ku Feng. Buy the DVD at: |
| Tragic Hero (1987) Directed by: Taylor Wong |
This sequel to the triad actioner Rich And Famous ended up premiering in theatres first as the producers felt they could make more of a buck from the more action-filled Tragic Hero. In the end, it sparked enough interest to make Rich And Famous the more successful film at the box office. A few years has passed and triad boss Chai (Chow Yun-Fat) faces his greatest challenge yet as Yung (Alex Man) is hot on his tails for bloody revenge. Everyone is expendable, even his family... Taylor Wong gives us more of the same in Tragic Hero, from the opening caption talking about criminals never being able to bury the past to presenting many triad movie clichés in the most generic of ways. Despite attempts to develop characters, especially Chai's bodyguards (played by Shing Fui-On and Lam Chung), the script still halts at ordinary and melodrama is as expected terribly overdone. Admittedly, Chow Yun-Fat has sprung to life a little bit for this installment but he has little substance to work with. Andy Lau pops up now and again without much impact and Alex Man overacts his little heart out as the über-evil Yung. Both parts of this epic gangster saga in the end remain dull but Tragic Hero has an upper hand thanks to a fairly steady stream of action. The finale is a welcome frenzy of fire stunts and gunplay but you wouldn't mistake it for a top notch John Woo sequence. Danny Lee, Carina Lau, and Pauline Wong reprise their roles and Elvis Tsui can be seen as one of Yung's henchmen. Note that the screencap above is from the Tai Seng dvd. Mei Ah have put an anamorphic edition that surely beats prior home video presentations. Buy the DVD at: |
| The Trail (1983) Directed by: Ronny Yu |
Quite an unexpected Hong Kong horror movie considering it was co-written by comedic actor Michael Hui and that is stars his brother Ricky Hui and Kent Cheng. Director Ronny Yu goes for a laid back and serious tone to his horror with comedy inserted in places, an element that works well since it's closer to the proper mood of the film. The Trail does not add up to more than an interesting time though, mainly through the serious mood and a look of more ambitious proportions than seen in this era of Hong Kong cinema. The pace is slow, the plot not very spelled out in detail but it's worth the ticket for those seeking a different look and feel to their Hong Kong horror. Also with Choong Fat and Mars (both serving as action directors as well). One of the main music cues you may recognise from The Thing but as with John Carpenter's classic, The Trail also benefits since it adds decent tension. Buy the DVD at: |
| The Trail Of The Broken Blade (1967) Directed by: Chang Cheh |
The Trail Of The Broken Blade is vintage Chang Cheh filmmaking in many ways, dealing with loyalty, love and righteousness but putting enough spins on it to stand well on its own. First of all, the true loyalty isn't for once towards blood brothers but towards blood... Jimmy Wang Yu plays swordsman Li who takes revenge on a corrupted official who executed his father unjustly. Now wanted by the Imperial Court, he goes into hiding under a false identity, having no choice but to abandon his past. In that past we find his childhood love Liu Xian (Chin Ping) who's rescued by another swordsman Fang Jun-Zhao (Chiao Chuang) from the dangerous Flying Fish gang of robbers. Liu Xian's father sees the opportunity to pair up her with a new man but she proclaims to the kind hearted Fang that only one true love exists for her. Fang takes it upon himself to reunite the two... After the accomplished The Magnificent Trio the year before, Chang was on a roll but for the longest of time in The Trail Of The Broken Blade, he can't make his portrayal of Li and his lonely future come to life. Nothing much resonates dramatically as the prior year's effort did but sticking with The Trail Of The Broken Blade proves to be rewarding. Chang's handling of the character drama can seem rather overwrought (literally an operatic aspect to the portrayal of the romance can be seen and heard) but in reality it does come off as suitably subdued as well. Point is, this didn't further Chang Cheh but with a charismatic lead in Jimmy Wang Yu to truly embody his intentions, the film becomes unexpectedly involving despite the lesser first half. A small problem also lies in the casting of Chiao Chuang as he doesn't always look convincing as both the tough and kind swordplay hero. Lau Kar Leung and Tong Gaai choreograph the action once again and it's always rough to look at now but not hard to put into perspective either. Most of the fights are fairly short all up till the final reel and it's rather bursts of creativity that highlights their work. But that fact is important as the development would lead into us being treated to some of the finest on screen martial arts ever filmed eventually. Worth waiting for but as you'll hopefully see for yourself, drama wasn't in development but rather polished back then. That makes this side of Chang Cheh's catalogue of films truly thrilling to follow. Ciao Ciao, Fan Mei Sheng, Chen Hung-Lieh, Tien Feng, Wu Ma and Paul Wei co-stars. Buy the DVD at: |
| The Traitorous (1976) Directed by: Sung Ting-Mei |
Here's a beast we've seen before, with Carter Wong as a Shaolin student out to revenge the death of his parents at the hands off government forces. He's gotta carry water and jump out of mud pits properly before being let out on his killing spree though. Director Sung Ting-Mei uses agony, both ways, as fuel for his simple-minded story and while it's A gory choice, it's not THE gory choice. The Traitorous therefore plods along like most low-budget vehicles of its kind, disappointing also in the fight department as little invention exists (only the pyramid of guards is a fun, crazy concept). Swingy arms, punching and blocking as a dominating factor isn't a beneficiary for the production, especially not since Carter Wong is less than ideal in the lead. Polly Kuan displays some much needed fury though, in particular in her opening fight scene against multiple opponents. Chang Yi plays our white haired villain while Sammo Hung also appear as one of his henchmen. Buy the DVD at: |
| Treasure Hunt (1994) Directed by: Jeff Lau |
Treasure Hunt marked Chow Yun-Fat's return to Hong Kong movie screens after a 2 year break (was probably needed after the intense shooting of Hard Boiled), this time directed by prolific Jeff Lau (Chinese Odyssey 1 & 2, Haunted Cop Shop). Being true to the Hong Kong cinema way of doing things, Treasure Hunt gives us gunplay, martial arts, comedy, romance, resulting in something very typical of Jeff Lau; an uneven but still strangely charming and enjoyable little film. The plot about Chow's CIA character and his mission to bring back a Chinese Treasure, a young woman with supernatural powers, played by the beautiful Wu Chien-Lien (The Phantom Lover) doesn't interest much but instead the core of the film, Chow and Wu Chien-Lien's romance carry us nicely through this 100 minutes. The two display supersolid chemistry and I just wish there was at least 20 minutes more of them together on screen. Co-starring Gordon Lau and Phillip Kwok. Buy the DVD at: |
| The Treasure Trap (1986) Directed by: Phillip Chan |
Also known as From Here To Prosperity, the stage is very busy in Phillip Chan's conmen romp mostly set in Thailand. So much so, especially considering the print I got to see, that it's often tough to follow the quick laid out plans by conmen David Chiang and Richard Ng in their pursuit to avenge the death of Jenny's (Pong Chao-An) father. But the familiar cast and at times amusing antics of the leads does get you through proceedings. Ng has a wonderful bit where he bets that a lit cigarette will not become shorter. His winning tactic is simply lighting it at the middle. Ng and Chiang comparing battle scars but the former not showing signs of any because they've healed well goes down well and the re-imagining of the Indiana Jones-score is shamelessly fun to hear. During the gunplay ending, Ng injects more fun as he makes a bomb using a grilled chicken! Fans of Desperado will notice that Quentin Tarantino's piss joke from that film is entirely visualized in The Treasure Trap. Also with O Chun-Hung, Wu Ma, Melvin Wong, Tin Ching and Wu Fung. |
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