One of the earliest major films starring Jackie Chan, this 1978 Hong Kong offering highlights the relationship between a student and his martial arts master. This theme would dominate the American martial arts genre for years to come, as evidenced by The Karate Kid and many films to follow. Wong Fei-hong, played by Chan, is a 19th-century folk hero in Chinese culture and cinema, a kung fu master who fights injustice in the time of British colonialism. This character would later be portrayed by
Jet Li in the more serious Once Upon a Time in China. Drunken Master finds Wong in his early years as a troublesome youth who is sent to receive discipline and martial arts instruction from his uncle (Siu Tien Yuen), the hard-drinking title character. Wong runs away, but runs afoul of some local villains. Beaten badly, he returns to his uncle, who trains him in "drunken-style" kung fu. The martial arts showcased by Chan in this film are important in the development of his career; the staggering, inebriated techniques allow for a looser, more flowing style, but more importantly, they contribute to the elaborate martial-arts slapstick that have become Chan's trademark and have made him an international star. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi
It's an undisguised star vehicle for the likeable Chan and his incredible acrobatic skills, and even viewers who couldn't care less about which fighting style the combatants are using will enjoy watching him be put through his paces.
Not unlike the silent films of Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd, or for that matter, the best pictures of Hong Kong's Seventies kung fu films, the genius of Drunken Master lies in its kinetics. Pure entertainment, and a true chop-socky classic.
This is the film where Chan's confidence in his unique mix of comedy and martial arts, his gracefully choreographed slapstick-kung fu fighting style and natural athleticism, really began to blossom.
im usually more into the epic or serious kung fu films than the comedies, but jackie chan's kung fu comedies are the cream of the crop and this is easily one of the best kung fu films ever. the training sequences are some of my favorites for any martial arts film, and chan's aerobics and constant movements are
impressive. the film effectively blends 3 villains and features tons of fight scenes. truly excellent.
January 25, 2007
danny d
Super Reviewer
A hint to some: When you practice standing meditation in qi gong, make sure to drink a small amount of Chinese fermented rice wine before you start. Once you have begun meditation, picture in your mind what is called in this movie "Monkey" style. I hear for some of us, this can be the key to the world of
martial arts. You know I've heard it said that Jet Li went the martial arts side of performance, while Jackie Chan went the acrobatics route. Well, that may be true, but it surely does not mean that Jackie Chan cannot pull off some amazing kung fu. And it's Jackie Chan, so why haven't you already seen it : )
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