The most readily available version of this early Jackie Chan flick has been distractingly dubbed with English accents and lad slang. ("You twit!" snarls a beefy young kung fu master.) This is a film of some historic intere... more »st, however, since Chan was directing himself for the first time, going way too far in his attempt to inject humor into the genre and distance himself from the grim, ferocious example of Bruce Lee. He has only himself to blame, in other words, for the over-the-top slapstick of the martial arts training sequences--like the one that has him standing on his head, balancing a bowl of scalding hot tea in his crotch. The action scenes are all-out gag-fests in which Chan does more mugging than fighting, appearing in drag in one memorable sequence. One hapless thug even gets squashed into the ground, like a steamrollered cartoon character. --David Chute« less
Julie A. Elkes | Bloomington, IN United States | 10/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Much in the tradition of the great comics, such as Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, this movie really shines on Jackie's comic genius. You can turn off the sound and the comic scenes would still be hilarious. However, this isn't just about comedy... the movie shows his range as an actor, from humor to grief, and his heroic final fight has some incredible work, as well as -- of course -- more humor. In all, it is probably one of his best films. It's a shame they used some dork to dub over his voice, but still that wouldn't have kept me from buying this film. If you want to appreciate Jackie Chan at his best... this is one of the better movies you could watch!"
Classic Jackie Chan
Julie A. Elkes | 01/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A classic. I 'll give this five stars relative to other movies in the genre. If you love vintage Jackie Chan (RE Drunken Master)then you'll love this. A great combination of Chan's comedic talents and superb acrobatic martial arts skills, this movie will have you feeling the pain and laughing at the same time."
Top-notch movie with a DVD to match
T-Man | Virginia Beach, VA | 08/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't know what a lot of people are talking about. This DVD from Columbia Tristar is the best there is for this movie. It has the original Cantonese dialouge (along with a separate English dub) with English subs. The picture is fine too. It's good enough for an old movie like this one. It's not like you can't see what's going on in the film. I like it.
The movie itself has GREAT choreography, especially Jackie Chan versus the sword guy at the school and Jackie Chan versus the three swordsmen. Fast paced and BREATHTAKING!"
Old school kung fu
daniel | las vegas nv | 09/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Awesome old school jackie chan movie great fighting scenes tons
of training scenes and also digitally remastered and widescreen, great picture quality for such a old movie a must by for any jackie chan movie fan. Dont listen to anybody talking about this
movie is not good just run to the store and pick it up. The ending fights scenes with the three guys with the spears and the evil master jackie fights is mindblowing buy this movie now."
Good Chan Action
daniel | 02/08/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I own almost all of Jackie's movies and about 400 other martial arts movies. Fearless Hyena is a diamond in the ruff. Great fight scences and pretty funny too. One reviewer Stated that he was embarressed for Jackie I guess he thought they were trying to make fun of him but I think he had a little more say in this film then you think. When Jackie first came out, the industry was looking for the next Bruce Lee. Most of Jackie's early work like Dragon fist(no Comedy) was an attempt to tap into Lee's fan base. In many of his interviews he states that they tried to make him into the next Lee but in his mind he could not be the serious Bruce, only the funny Jackie. This movie is the start of classic Jackie Chan minus the stunts still well worth getting for a fan."