DRUNKEN MASTER 2
A film review by Eric Tend
Copyright 1994 Eric Tend
One of the most impressive and entertaining "realistic" martial arts films to grace our shores in recent years is Jackie Chan's DRUNKEN MASTER 2. It marks his triumphant return to the roots that made him famous: a period costume drama featuring ultra complex adrenaline filled fight and stunt choreography (where the "Ooohh, aaahh, and oowwchh" factor is *very high*!), likable characters, simple plot, and trademark Chan humor sprinkled throughout.
The story, which has no continuity nor relation to its 1978 predecessor DRUNKEN MASTER, follows the further exploits of the Wong Fei-Hong family. Chan plays a more vulnerable and modern Fei-Hong, contrasting Jet Li's slightly older, wiser, and almost invincible incarnation. Ti Lung (doesn't this guy ever age?) and Anita Mui (wildly over-the-top) play his parents. This time out, Fei-Hong gets caught up in another conspiracy involving foreigners stealing and smuggling China's artistic treasures out of the country.
While trying to avoid a train tax for some Ginsing purchased by his father, Fei-Hong hides it among some foreign dignitary's luggage. When he retrieves it, he has a run in with an apparent thief who is stealing another item wrapped identically to Fei-Hong's Ginsing box. While they both exit the boxcar to avoid capture, a fight insures between them underneath a train station (showcasing tight-courters spear vs. sword ... a long weapon is usually very ineffective if you don't have a lot of room to use it, but not in this case). After a hasty resolution, Fei-Hong returns to the train with the wrong box ... containing the stolen Emperor's Jade Seal Stamp.
Most of the comedy relief revolves around a complex cover up for the missing Ginsing and its aftermath when they return home with classic comedic interaction between Fei-Hong and his parents which eventually threatens the family honor and name.
The foreigners set up shop at the British Conselate and take over the local town steel mill as a front for their smuggling operations. They also want to extend their power by expanding to town ownership. As the film progresses, secondary characters as well as villains are introduced as the catalyst to showcase Fei-Hong's amazing drunken fist style of martial arts. This style combines flexibility and acrobatics with the appearance of looking drunk and off balance to throw an opponent off and draw them in closer.
During one confrontation, Fei-Hong learns that alcohol increases his drunken style power by taking away feeling and he easily dispatches five opponents at the same time. He learns the hard way from his father that if not used in moderation, it can cloud one's judgement and control.
The theft and smuggling conspiracy is brought into the open when the thief from the train shows up to correct the box mixup. The thief turns out to be a high-ranking and decorated Manchu officer who is trying prevent the lost of China'a treasures. The foreigners enlist aid of some corrupt Chinese counterparts to retrieve the Jade Seal and kill the Manchu officer in the process. As a result, Fei-Hong vows to go after them and shut down their operation.
Jackie shines in fine form and proves to the world once again that he still has it. DRUNKEN MASTER 2 easily outshines his last four film efforts and combines the best qualities of all of his previous period dramas (DRUNKEN MASTER, FEARLESS HYENA, YOUNG MASTER, etc.) with elements from both PROJECT "A"s and POLICE STORY 2. Since this is a pure martial arts film, he pulls out all the stops and creates a roller coaster ride jaw-dropping stunts and vintage trademark Jackie Chan weapons and hand-to-hand sparing choreography that will leave the average viewer numb and jaded. In addition to his physical acrobatic hand forms, Jackie also shows his skill in weapons including the single-edge sword, fan, double sawhorse stools (at the same time!), staff pole, and an improvised weapon that has to be seen to be believed. Jackie's opponents are always equally skilled and provide a contrast to his unique drunken style. The final confrontation in the steel mill was a burning experience ... literally.
This film is more modern than most Wong Fei-Hong's produced so far. No one in the film has a ponytail or shaved head hair-style. The Wong Fei-Hong character, who was traditionally a Hung Gar stylist is showcased as using a completely different style ... but ... who cares ... it was awfully entertaining !!! What a welcome change from the overabundance of flying-by-wires stuff proliferating traditional martial arts films lately.
Check it out when it comes to your town.
--Eric--
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