Dragon Lord (HK 1982)

Rating: **
Director: Jackie Chan
Cast: Jackie Chan, Mars

Considered Jackie Chan's transition film from traditional chop-socky to untraditional and unconventional chop-socky. Chan plays a young and arrogant kid who's always creating mischief. He somehow bumbles into a situation with some bad guys who are trying to export China's treasures, but ends up defeating them through spirit and perseverance (a common theme in Jackie's earlier works). Apart from a few kung fu scuffles, the film is full of bizarre displays of raw physical skill, including an extended game of footbag soccer and an exhausting no-holds-barred competition of capture the flag. The comedy is plodding and wears thin, but the action pieces are fascinating to watch.