June 23, 2008
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Sobriety really sucks.After leaving the production of the 1994 Jackie Chan masterpiece Drunken Master II (aka Legend of the Drunken Master) due to various problems with its formidable star, famed Hong Kong director LauKar-Leung spitefully delivered his own brand of alcoholic nonsense, the surprisingly dry kung fu clunker Drunken Master III, or, as it states on my Black Belt Theater double-feature DVD, Drunken Master Killer. Comparatively speaking, this ill-fated tale of kung fu revolution isn't even on the same planet as its superior, spit-polished counterpart, breeding an uneasy sense of disappointment in those who fondly remember what the iconic filmmaker has accomplished within the genre. Story problems aside, the picture is technical failure, especially in regards to the three or four fight sequences packaged in-between several botched attempts at physical comedy. Most of the on-screen confrontations are short, sloppy, and entirely forgettable; not even the film's grand finale -- an event which showcases the cinematic talents of its director, Andy Lau, and the always amusing Gordon Liu -- can hold a candle to Chan's magnum opus, which, I might add, actually incorporates the drunken style into its storyline. As a curiosity piece, Drunken Master III will only appeal to kung fu aficionados and those brave few who just enjoy spending a lazy afternoon with a clunky martial arts movie. However, if you value your precious free time and wish to spend it with something worthwhile, might I suggest investigating The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Dirty Ho, or even Drunken Master II, instead. Chances are you'll thank me later.
Recipe For Disaster: One Needlessly Complex Script + Several Lukewarm Fights + Fairy Style? Oy.
A Suggestion To Unwed Mothers: Learn kung-fu as soon as you can.
Otherwise they'll make you scrub the laundry.
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