The Demon Fighter
After years of starring in weepies and light family
comedies in Taiwan, in the early 1980’s Brigitte Lin entered into a few
collaborations with Taiwanese director Chu Yin-Ping. These films - Golden
Queen Commandos, Pink Force Commandos, Fantasy Mission Force and this one
(that I know of) – were to say the least light years away from what she
had been doing previously.
Chu Yin-Ping is somewhat of a legend for putting
out amazingly low budget schlocky films that often make little logical
sense but are brimming with ideas and attitude. In almost twenty years
of filmmaking, Chu has made over 100 films. I wonder what possessed Brigitte
to break so radically from her past? Perhaps she realized that the days
of the weepies were coming to an end or possibly that she was getting too
old for them. At any rate we should be grateful because even though these
films have their cinematic limitations, I would not be surprised if the
tough independent action/fantasy characters that she portrays in them influenced
Tsui Hark into using her for some of the great roles that lay ahead of
Brigitte.
I wish I could find out what year this film
was made in (I am just guessing 1983). There are certainly elements of
the film – particularly regarding Brigitte – that reminded me of Tsui Hark’s
Zu Warriors, but I don’t know which came first. This film also stars Adam
Cheng who also appeared in Zu as Brigitte’s love.
This film is about as delirious and demented
a kung fu flying film as one can possibly hope to find. It has wonderfully
imaginative sets and lavish costume styles that range from Pharaoh to Rajah
to American Indian to Ali Baba and looked to be scavenged from the leftovers
of many other films. Other visual splendors include a ninja exploding out
of a woman’s womb, walking up trees, slithering under doors, burrowing
beneath the sand, a religious cult intent on taking over the world, half
animal/half humans, a serial killer called Mr. Orchid that has an orchid
shine in its brain when it is ready to kill and so much more. Chu just
throws everything into his films without apparently being overly concerned
with making much sense. After having given up on ever understanding the
plot of this film, I was quite surprised when it actually is sort of tied
together at the end. Not really – but sort of. There is enough going on
of visual interest though to keep you watching. Brigitte alone is worth
watching this film for – she is unbelievably lovely – like a sumptuous
MGM princess on parade.
Again the plot is quite baffling – but burnt down
to its essentials – this is basically it. Legend has it that Warrior Chu
(Adam Cheng) disappeared from the world after his female student was killed
by enemies many years previously. He blamed himself and walked away. Don’t
worry about getting to know the numerous characters you are introduced
to in the first ten minutes – because by the fifteen minute mark they are
all dead and you are then introduced to another completely different set
of characters! Most of those initial characters are killed by this ninja
on speed – who first literally hides himself in a woman’s womb – and comes
exploding out – to deal brutal death all around him. He has been sent by
the evil one (Carter Wong I think) to track Warrior Chu down and kill him.
It turns out that Warrior Chu is not exactly living
a life of pain and poverty and in fact has set up a lovely community with
beautiful gardens and even more beautiful women roaming about. Another
slinky, sexy woman – in love with Chu – lives in a cave, with mist constantly
covering the floors and flowers that give off acid and attendants to help
her bathe. From time to time a mysterious, shrouded lover appears to caress
her body.
Brigitte makes her first appearance as it should
be – being carried in a sedan – bedecked in jewels and fancy clothes –
as composed as the early evening moon. It turns out though that she is
going to be sacrificed to the Gods – but Warrior Chu – never one to see
a beautiful maiden go to waste – saves her and sets her up in his house.
It turns out though that Brigitte is no beautiful wallflower – but is soon
among the clashing of swords and killing alongside Chu. There are other
– more secret aspects to Brigitte’s character – which brought vague memories
of Asia the Invincible to me.
It’s all just good insane fun – with an endless
stream of images and ideas being thrown at the viewer – many of them not
necessarily competently done – some horrific editing – and threads of the
film that are completely forgotten about – but if this sort of thing doesn’t
bother you too much, this film might be worth tracking down. Unfortunately,
the only version I know of is the Ocean Shore dubbed one.
My rating for this film: 7.5
