Worlds Within Worlds...

I had the chance to see the whole of this early Jackie Chan film today. I'd seen the ending a while back, so it was nice to be able to see the whole thing. I have to say that it is a really enjoyable movie. Yes it is a kung fu fighting film with a simple plot, but it has two things going for it. First of all the fighting itself (along with the training). The good movies like this really are like watching a dance. All the intricate moves and being able to actually see the differences between the styles. And while there is some cheating here and there it is a long ways from the wire-fu of today. These guys have some major skills and it had to have taken ages to choreograph the routines. And of course Jackie himself in his youth was really a sight to see. If you've only seen his recent films, it'd probably be a revelation to see his extraordinary physical condition.

The other thing is that there is some real heart in here. I think just about anyone can sympathise with his character's plight in the beginning. Youthful but downtrodden being abused by people and not knowing what he can do about it. And the character of the old man who teaches him really is a kind father figure to him. He trains him hard with a mischivous nature, but never mean-spirited. This is just one of those movies that is fun to watch and pretty uplifting in the end. :)