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Magic Crystal -
This is a bonkers Kung Fu movie that is pretty close to what would happen if Spielberg made one. I would describe it as E.T. meets Police Story, with super-powered investigator Andy Lau (also Andy Lau) and loyal, bumbling assistant Pancho (Jing Wong, who also directed) coming across the titular MacGuffin in Ancient Greece, which happens to house a magical space alien. As soon as they take it home, the alien bonds with Andy's nephew, Pin Pin (Bin Bin). As luck would have it, they become the target of evil KGB agents who are after the crystal, led by the imposingly tall Karov (Richard Norton).
If you like variety and unpredictability in your Kung Fu movies, this is the one for you since it switches gears and tones as much as the typical Monty Python episode does. It jumps from Lau, Cynthia Rothrock's Interpol agent and company kicking KGB butt to Pin Pin bonding with the crystal to goofiness like the pair humiliating a sleazy roommate in a nightmare fuel moment where the hand is on the other foot. The gear shifts are more feature than bug, though, and while there's a lot of swerving, it doesn't go off the rails. Regarding the good stuff, it's as solid you would expect with this cast, my favorite moments being the "found object" fights that earn its Police Story similarities. While Lau is no Jackie Chan (but who else is), he has a strong and likeable presence, and with his comic timing, Wong makes for a good foil. Luckily, it concludes with a finale that fulfills the intrigue of Pin Pin's best bud, especially when it takes cues from another Spielberg classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite its twists and turns, it ultimately resembles many MacGuffin-based action movies I've seen and not just ones from Hong Kong; also, some of the comic relief goes from silly to dumb. With that said, when it comes to light, comic Kung Fu fare, you could do a lot worse, and that goes for movies that reference E.T. as well (it's leagues better than Pod People, for instance).
My guy (or gal): Pancho, who may not be the brightest fellow or the best fighter, but he's as loyal of a sidekick that anyone could hope for.
This is a bonkers Kung Fu movie that is pretty close to what would happen if Spielberg made one. I would describe it as E.T. meets Police Story, with super-powered investigator Andy Lau (also Andy Lau) and loyal, bumbling assistant Pancho (Jing Wong, who also directed) coming across the titular MacGuffin in Ancient Greece, which happens to house a magical space alien. As soon as they take it home, the alien bonds with Andy's nephew, Pin Pin (Bin Bin). As luck would have it, they become the target of evil KGB agents who are after the crystal, led by the imposingly tall Karov (Richard Norton).
If you like variety and unpredictability in your Kung Fu movies, this is the one for you since it switches gears and tones as much as the typical Monty Python episode does. It jumps from Lau, Cynthia Rothrock's Interpol agent and company kicking KGB butt to Pin Pin bonding with the crystal to goofiness like the pair humiliating a sleazy roommate in a nightmare fuel moment where the hand is on the other foot. The gear shifts are more feature than bug, though, and while there's a lot of swerving, it doesn't go off the rails. Regarding the good stuff, it's as solid you would expect with this cast, my favorite moments being the "found object" fights that earn its Police Story similarities. While Lau is no Jackie Chan (but who else is), he has a strong and likeable presence, and with his comic timing, Wong makes for a good foil. Luckily, it concludes with a finale that fulfills the intrigue of Pin Pin's best bud, especially when it takes cues from another Spielberg classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite its twists and turns, it ultimately resembles many MacGuffin-based action movies I've seen and not just ones from Hong Kong; also, some of the comic relief goes from silly to dumb. With that said, when it comes to light, comic Kung Fu fare, you could do a lot worse, and that goes for movies that reference E.T. as well (it's leagues better than Pod People, for instance).
My guy (or gal): Pancho, who may not be the brightest fellow or the best fighter, but he's as loyal of a sidekick that anyone could hope for.