THE Chinese MACK is a virtually unknown kung fu vehicle for real-life Triad and film star Chan Wai-Man. Made in Hong Kong, it has far better production values than expected given genre standards, and most of the action takes place in the scenic countryside. Wai-Man plays the usual guy with a vendetta who goes gunning for a gang of goons, but what matters here is the calibre of the action.
Put simply, it's above average. After a somewhat slow start, the film picks up and offers one brutal bout after another. The choreography is fine and a youthful Wai-Man is at the top of his game, really convincing in his portrayal of a desperate youth determined to succeed at all costs. Various other familiar faces show up briefly, including a couple of Shaw actors (Chiang Tao is here) and Simon Yuen as a bald-headed street performer. Sensitive viewers should be aware of an extended dog fight in the second half which seems to go on forever and is very brutal. The film culminates in another extended fight that doesn't disappoint, and there's a nude interlude in a brothel for those who enjoy that sort of thing.
Put simply, it's above average. After a somewhat slow start, the film picks up and offers one brutal bout after another. The choreography is fine and a youthful Wai-Man is at the top of his game, really convincing in his portrayal of a desperate youth determined to succeed at all costs. Various other familiar faces show up briefly, including a couple of Shaw actors (Chiang Tao is here) and Simon Yuen as a bald-headed street performer. Sensitive viewers should be aware of an extended dog fight in the second half which seems to go on forever and is very brutal. The film culminates in another extended fight that doesn't disappoint, and there's a nude interlude in a brothel for those who enjoy that sort of thing.