Drunken Master

Film review

I believe this is the first dubbed film that I’ve ever seen, although I have seen various clips from films like this over the years. It was a little off-putting at first, but I soon got used to it. I suppose that subtitles wouldn’t be ideal for a film like this, as they would distract from the fighting. I can’t help but feel that the voice actors may have overdone it a bit in places, but this kind of adds its own comedic value to the film.

I forgot how hilarious the fight sound effects were from this era... Every punch and kick sound like a whip crack. I feel like these work quite well for comedies, but not so well for more serious films. Fight scenes today still have over the top sounds for cinematic effect, though not as ridiculous as these.

The film feels a bit dated due to its production values and 70s hairstyles. In one scene you can see a cable doing the hard work when Jackie Chan is dragged across the floor by his feet. These days blunders like this are normally spotted and removed digitally in post-production, but I think moments like this give the film a certain charm and authenticity.

There were some great lines in this movie, such as “You better watch out or you’ll have a body with no ass!” – possibly the best threat ever made. But the best line in the film comes in the last battle after Jackie Chan’s failed manoeuvre leaves him sat on the floor with a bruised tailbone: “Old woman miss toilet seat.”

There were some interesting training montages with the eccentric and alcoholic master. Despite his affliction, that guy can really fight. Having said that, I imagine a well-placed blow to the liver would surely be the end for him. I also enjoyed the punishment scene that involved Jackie Chan squatting over a sharpened stick, whilst balancing cups of boiling water on his body. His loyal friend intervenes to try and ensure that he doesn’t end up with a secondary arsehole where his taint used to be, but the plan wasn’t fool proof.

Overall I thought this film was very entertaining. I really enjoyed the well-choreographed slapstick humour in the fight scenes, especially where items of clothing were utilised. This film reminded me of playing Tekken as a kid and I realise now that my favourite character ‘Lei’ was obviously based on Jackie Chan, just as ‘Law’ was based on Bruce Lee.

On a side note, this film has rekindled my phobia of hairy moles – so the teacher with mole hair long enough to plait is surely going to haunt my dreams for years to come.

4 cirrhosis-scarred livers out of 5