Kung Fu: The Movie (1986) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Richard Lang

Writer:

Durrell Royce Crays (writer)

Release Date:

1 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Western | Adventure | Action

Plot:

Kwai Chang Caine meets up with the father of the man he killed in China who seeks revenge using Caine's own illegitimate son.

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Illegitimate Son | Shaolin | Illusion | Kung Fu

Cast

David Carradine	...	Kwai Chang Caine
Kerrie Keane	...	Sarah Perkins
Mako	...	The Manchu
William Lucking	...	Wyatt
Luke Askew	...	Sheriff Mills
Keye Luke	...	Master Po
Benson Fong	...	The Old One
Brandon Lee	...	Chung Wang
Martin Landau	...	John Martin Perkins III
Ellen Geer	...	Old Wife
Robert Harper	...	Prosecutor
Paul Rudd	...	Reverend Lawrence Perkins
John Alderman
Michael Paul Chan	...	Ching
Patience Cleveland

Runtime:

Germany:89 min | USA:93 min (Cinemax)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Lou Step Productions

Movie Connections:

Follows "Kung Fu" (1972)

A classic in it's own right.

You know one of those movies that no one talks about... it's beyond indie. It's practically unknown... but you see it in the back of some video store, wipe the dust off of it, and it's one of the most well-made movies you've ever seen? That's the case here. This is a classic example of an American adaptation of kung-fu movies. Carradine is the main star, who already had a long run in kung fu movies. He's a great actor, and is one of the top caucasian martial artists of the time. He brings an aura to his character that is consistent with earlier films such as Return of the Dragon and Kung-Fu Vengeance. If you've watched this for Carradine, look at some of his earlier stuff. If you knew him before Kill Bill, then kudos to you.

Another reason you might watch this film is Brandon Lee. Who, if you may not know, is the son of Bruce Lee. This isn't his first appearance on the silver screen, but he tries not to let it show. Brandon is still pretty fresh in Hollywood, so his acting skills need a bit of development. (As seen in The Crow) Yet the aspiration used to live up to his father's standards of acting as well as martial arts punctuality makes him a perfect part for the antagonist.

This film is pretty well-made... nice cinematography, writing, directing... The director is Richard Lang, who retired in 1997. he was already into directing by the time of Kung-Fu, and was already rooted in film due to his mother being an actress in the 20's and 30's. Lang was also a director for Melrose Place and Beverly Hills: 90210. So maybe Kung-Fu was his acme... maybe Melrose Place. Whatever you like. Either way, it's a nice film.

Watch it if you're a kung-fu fan or in the least bit interested in martial arts.