Search - Rarescope Double Feature Shaolin vs. Ninja & Shaolin vs. Tai Chi on DVD

A Shaolin double feature. Both featuring some high level ch

morgoth | omaha, NE | 04/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"SHAOLIN VS NINJA-

Ninjas are trying to take over Shaolin and they frame Shaolin for murdering a Japanese Shaolin Monk. So the Japanese Shaolin want their revenge, and the Chinese Shaolin and Japanese Shaolin fight in a tournament. I would say more about the story, but that is all you really need to know. This movie is all about the fight scenes. There are lots of good little fights, but the highlight is the tournament scene. First up is a wrestling match between Alexander Lo Rei and Yeung Heung (Brasshead). It's a very fun fight, but the next fight is mindblowing. The director Robert Tai gives himself a cameo and fights a guy with amazing kicking skills. It's a wonderful kickfest between the two, and Robert Tai's moves are unlike any other kung fu actor I have ever seen. At some points I couldn't tell if he was fighting or breakdancing. So after about 5 more good tournament fights, the Chinese and Japanese Shaolin find out that the ninjas set the whole thing up. They go and take revenge. The end. Rating- 3.5/5

I have seen this movie countless times, but finally I was able to see it widescreen thanks to Rarescope. The picture quality is nothing special, but the widescreen presentation is. The English dubbing sounds ok.

SHAOLIN VS TAI CHI-

Eagle Han Ying plays his usual role as an evil government official, and he is looking for a golden seal. There is a subplot where Buddhists and Taoists hold a contest to see who has the best fighter, and the winner will keep the seal safe. The Buddhists win, and each side trains a pupil for their next contest. When they have their duel, ninjas steal the golden seal and the 2 pupils are sent to get it back.

I enjoyed this movie very much. There is an evil monk, a funny drunken monk, and ninjas. There are plenty of fights, and the finale doesn't disappoint. The story is good, and so is the kung fu. Excellent kicking, punching and acrobatic skills on display. Eagle Han doesn't do any fighting until the end, and he puts on one heck of a performance in the 9 minute final fight. His mantis fist is so sick. 3.5/5

Picture quality is fine. widescreen which is nice. The burnt in subtitles are easy to read for the most part."

2 for 1, Shaolin style.

Mantis Lake | Detroit, MI USA | 03/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rarescope's release of these two flicks should excite old-schoolers everywhere. What's not to like?

"SHAOLIN VS TAI CHI"
Buddhists and Taoists hold a friendly but serious contest to see who will take care of a (non-mammalian) golden seal. The Buddhists win, but have to keep driving away some pesky ninjas that are trying to swipe it. Though they are successful at keeping it, they must train a young orphaned monk named Fong Err to fight in the next match with the Taoists. The young monk meets an older monk who practices "Intoxicated Boxing" and shows the lad a few things with the aid of some wine. At the match with the Taoists, a ninja manages to steal the seal, and the two representatives must set out to find it, but they stand to find/lose a lot more than they bargained for.

Presentation varies, but is pretty good, and widescreen. Problem is that it's subtitled only, and they are often quite difficult to read. Also, English was not the first language of whoever did the translation. Beyond that, pretty good, with decent fights that got progressively better. 3/5

1983

"SHAOLIN VS NINJA"
Not much on plot. Some ninjas try (repeatedly) to kill a Shaolin abbot and then challenge the monks to competition. Though the story is lame, the fights and especially the acrobatics are AMAZING. The only actors I recognized were Alexander Lo Rei and the younger acrobat, both of whom were in "Shaolin vs Lama". The lead role might have to go with the abbot, who gives the coolest portrayal of a monk that I've ever seen. This is the guy that I wanna learn from. Calm and collected, this cat tells all his monks to relax while a bunch of dudes are trying to assassinate him. Not one of those hypocritical jerk-monks like in "Shaolin Intruders". Also some interesting costumes. Other than that, just sit close to the floor so your jaw won't hit it too hard. The picture is very good and widescreen also. This one is English-dubbed only. 4/5

1983

"