Rating: **
Review Date: 1/8/00
Director: Yuen Woo Ping
Cast: Yuen Yat Chor, Leung Ka-Yan, Yuen Woo Ping, Yuen Sun Yi, Eddy Ko
More kung fu craziness from Yuen Woo Ping and the Yuen Clan. Manchu Government officer Eddy Ko has broken the law by marrying a Han woman, so the emperor commands him to be put to death. He takes the prince as a hostage and manages to escape, but accidentally kills the young boy in the process. Some years later, he has taken on a student (Yuen Yat Chor) and become an old drunkard. Unfortunately, the past catches up with him, and the evil Sorcerer Bat (Yuen Sun Yi) kills him. Next, Yuen Yat Chor hooks up with a couple of old and cranky sorcerers (crotchety Leung Ka Yan and Yuen Woo Ping - playing a woman!) and starts to learn their trade. Sorcerer Bat shows up again and causes all sorts of trouble, leading to a grand kung fu sorcery battle between Yuen Sun Yi and Yuen Yat Chor. Full of spectacular physical stunts, but mired in that painfully goofy slapstick that was typical of Woo Ping's comedies during that period. In fact, the movie would be nearly intolerable if not for the amazing physical prowess of Yuen Yat Chor and his co-stars. Definitely a mixed bag.