LITTLE DRAGON MAIDEN is one of a handful of fantasy films that the Shaw Brothers studio made at the onset of the 1980s. It's a low budget and sometimes meandering production that suffers from a slow and uninteresting middle section, which often seemed to be a problem with the lesser films to come out of the Shaw studio. However, I also found it to be an underrated film; perhaps not one of the studio's best, but more than watchable all the same.
Famed Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung takes the lead role in what was one of his earliest performances after five years of bit parts and supporting roles. He plays a beggar who gets taken in by a martial arts school only to run afoul of the cruel instructors. He ends up in the hands of a magical princess who lives in a cave and has otherworldly powers. All manner of madcap events follow, including wuxia-inspired flying, encounters with a giant pot-bellied bird creature (!), and magical effects.
LITTLE DRAGON MAIDEN is a cheesy film but not without merit. The usual Shaw action is a highlight even though there's not as much of it here. The sets and costumes look as colourful as ever and Cheung's acting surpasses his fighting. The supporting cast includes roles for Chen Kuan Tai and Lo Lieh, both of whom get to do something a bit different from the norm, particularly the latter with his bizarre toad style. Regular performers Ku Feng and Sun Chien also appear. While the film suffers from not being very memorable, it's far from as bad as you've heard.
Famed Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung takes the lead role in what was one of his earliest performances after five years of bit parts and supporting roles. He plays a beggar who gets taken in by a martial arts school only to run afoul of the cruel instructors. He ends up in the hands of a magical princess who lives in a cave and has otherworldly powers. All manner of madcap events follow, including wuxia-inspired flying, encounters with a giant pot-bellied bird creature (!), and magical effects.
LITTLE DRAGON MAIDEN is a cheesy film but not without merit. The usual Shaw action is a highlight even though there's not as much of it here. The sets and costumes look as colourful as ever and Cheung's acting surpasses his fighting. The supporting cast includes roles for Chen Kuan Tai and Lo Lieh, both of whom get to do something a bit different from the norm, particularly the latter with his bizarre toad style. Regular performers Ku Feng and Sun Chien also appear. While the film suffers from not being very memorable, it's far from as bad as you've heard.
