Lin Chen-Chi In Heaven And Hell (1980)

Lin Chen-Chi in Heaven and Hell (1980)

The Brave Archer and His Mate (1982)

Happy Birthday to Dick Wei! 🥳

He was born on April 15, 1953!

Two Champions of Shaolin (1980) Review

This film is certainly action-packed and spectacular. All of the Venom Mob came prepared to give some of their best performances, especially during the fight scenes. There is a particular focus on the relationship between the characters, which makes each scene feel even more important. The storyline starts to unfold in front of our eyes as the audience is let in on the twists and turns of the film. The film has some brutal death scenes, but only after the exciting action sequences that left me hooked. This is a tale of revenge, so it is to be expected. Each pairing makes for a unique show of skills since they often match actors who have a bit of a different fighting style, but it melds together well. The acting is great as each actor really embodies their role and shows the different aspects of human emotions, from sadness, happiness, anger, and even love. Tong Qianjin (Lo Mang) and Jin Bier (Yeung Ching-Ching) provide a contrast to the violent aspects of the film, as Chang Cheh captures their journey as they begin to fall in love. However, it doesn’t ruin the movie or make it seem out of place since it is woven well into the plot.

Lu Feng returns as his character from Shaolin Rescuers (1979), Gao Jinzhong, but he brings a new take on the previous version. The character has different personality traits, appears more expressive and actively tries to get along with the other characters. He seems to be calculating and always planning his next move. When he gets ready to strike, it makes for an intense scene. There is some brilliant weapons work for Lu Feng as he shows off some exciting moves with the fei cha. Chin Siu-Ho plays a very important part in the film since he helps move the story forward with his actions. While his character is kind and sometimes childish, it is easy to see the mature and brave side of him. He is sneaky and intelligent, actively going against the antagonists of the film but putting on a ruse to hide this fact. It adds some suspense to the movie since you never know what will happen next. Lo Mang and Chiang Sheng both make the film comedic since they like to have fun or tease the other characters. However, Chiang Sheng shines in this role since he is portraying a smart character with undeniable skills, instead of the less serious roles he often gets. It is fun to see Sun Chien and Yeung Ching-Ching have characters with a special skill that the other characters didn’t possess until they taught it to Tong Qianjin, so they add some spice to the film.

It is worth noting that all of the fight scenes are different, but each of the actors gives it their all. The action remains fast-paced, so it does not drag out for too long but keeps your attention since certain scenes add some surprises. I’m sure you can guess which scene I’m referring to, but I won’t spoil it here in case some people haven’t seen the movie. It is enough to make your jaw drop when you see it. I really enjoyed how they paired Lu Feng with Lo Mang as the two adapted to each other’s strengths, highlighting how well they work together as a group. It is a shame that Sun Chien didn’t have more fight scenes, but the one he did have showcased some of his beautiful kicks. I feel it shows off how nice his form is and he had me on the edge of my seat since he was taking on so many people at once. Chin Siu-Ho, Chiang Sheng, Yu Tai-Ping, and Wong Lik were equally as fun. Everyone stood out in their own way and ensured that this movie wouldn’t disappoint. Although they did leave me wanting more, since they were really impressive.

The plot of the film isn’t anything too complicated, so it is easy to follow. That is not a bad thing, though. Each shot and the various scenes are exactly what you would expect from Chang Cheh, which is really nice camerawork and it all comes together perfectly. The scenery in the movie is quite beautiful with an array of colors. There seems to be a use of lightning in the film since some scenes are darker while others are bright, matching the mood of the scene. Each of the outfits is stunning as the designs are a mix of simple and complex, giving each of the characters their own unique look. It is clear that a lot of time and effort was put into the film. If you are a fan of the Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh, and/or the Venom Mob, then this would be a good movie to check out! It likely won’t disappoint since it has a wonderful cast with the bloody and gruesome deaths that Shaw Brothers films often possess. It is guaranteed to be a thrill!

Chiang Sheng in Sword with the Windbell (1983)

Wei Pai in Revenge of Beauitful Killer