Shaolin & Wu Tang (1983)

Please don't spend money on this.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

SHAOLIN VS. WU TANG is a stand-alone effort for Shaw Brothers star Gordon Liu, here directing as well as starring. The film is clearly indebted to Shaw and sometimes feels like a Shaw movie in all but name. It's about some super fighting schools and the rivalry between Liu and the slightly arrogant Adam Cheng, which is brought to the fore by the scheming machinations of super-villain Wang Lung Wei (another Shaw staple).Although the film suffers from the usual quality issues evident in the print, it's still a lot of fun and packed with wall-to-wall action. Liu partakes in many of the strenuous bare-chested training sequences that he's well known for, while Wang Lung Wei sits on his throne and broods for the most part, although he does get up to fight our heroes in the exciting climax. Plenty of other Shaw regulars like Ching Li, Chan Shen, and Lee Hoi Sang show up in supporting roles, and if this isn't quite top-tier material, at least it provides decent entertainment from beginning to end.

The instant appeal of this film is that I was a fan of the Wu Tang Clan's debut album "Enter The Wu Tang" and the sound clips from the film that the gang used . " You really think your Wu tang style can defeat me ? " , "if what you say is true , the Wu tang and the Shao Lin..could be dangerous " and so forth , so for myself and the mate who I shared a domino's pizza with, we had the delight of hearing those famous quotes on screen and repeating them in true Shao Lin style. The second major appeal of this cult classic was the star, Mr.Gordon Liu , you may know him better as Pai Mei in Kill Bill volume 2 (who was basically the hardest man in the world) . Gordon is in superb form and emerges from talented but gentle nice guy (if not a bit camp ) jun kip to bald Shao Lin warrior tat chi . I have a feeling that this would be the 2 main appeals of most potential viewers and for my money they are the only reasons to watch , the Kung Fu is superb and the audience is given the treat of both highly skilled martial arts in equal dosage , it just seems a shame that it is poorly used in a bizarre plot , from point A to point B , it reads as simple , two friends , one of the Shao Lin school and one of the Wu tang school must eventually meet each other in a fight to the death , to determine who's style is best . What lies in between is a plot that can only be described as mesmerising , characters seem to vanish , objectives of characters change through out for no apparent reason , men are locked up in prison with shrieking women , it's all one giant bizarre mess to fill the cassam between the start and the finish . Watch because you love kung fu (the kung fu is excellent) , watch because your a fan of Gordon liu, watch because your a fan of the Wu tang clan album "enter the Wu tang " but don't watch because you like a good story.

I brought this movie because it starred Gordon Lui.He is one of the best Old School fighters no second thoughts.I loved this movie from the moment it started to the end.I wish the movie never ended.Like many of Gordon's movies (Master Killers)for one which was a big hit when it came out.. Shaolin Vrs Wu Tang I think is the kept secret behind Master Killers.It does not ask Master Killers for help in kung fu movie ranking.I loved the great show down on the two schools Wu Tang and Shaolin showing their respective fierce fighting styles and traditions.Many great foot,leg,swords,training scenes from the both clans comparing their styles to each other.Without spoiling it here now the movie has a great plot that keeps you thinking and your eyes wide open.Gordon Lui & Adam Cheng are best friends only thing is that both of them come from rival clans the Shaolin and Wu Tang.The evil prince played by (Wong Lung Wie) tries to get the two friends to fight each other til death in a true battle both schools stand aside at the end to watch a battle that means more than friends!.Is friendship thicker than honor?Find out and watch!!!!

An excellent martial arts movie. My favorite part is the beginning sequence where the lone wu-tang warrior fights against a squad of monks. The beginning fight scene is worth every penny it costs you to buy the movie.