The Young Master (1980)

Memorable, crazy movie

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Review: It was weird watching this film again because it brought back old childhood memories. I remember the epic ending completely amazed me and I thought that the whole thing was real. The movie came out on VHS when I was 7 so I didn't get to see it until I was around 9 years old so I really thought that Jackie Chan was in pain towards the end. Anyway, this is definitely what I was looking forward to when I started this Jackie Chan season because it's extremely authentic and full of epic action. In some of the scenes it did seem like they were fighting for no reason and the plot did get a bit confusing in the middle but the epic showdown near the end was excellent. Watching Chan take some formidable punches whilst gearing up to kick butt near the end, still gave me goosebumps but like most of his movies, he just has to add a comedy element to the intense situation. For that time, the stunts were amazing and the choreography was spot on. I just hope that the rest of his earlier movies are just as good. Great Film!Round-Up: This movie was also directed by Jackie Chan, who gives you an in depth insight into his methods behind the camera, on the bonus features of the DVD, which are definitely worth a watch. I must admit, I did miss all that "You Killed My Master" type of concept but it's still worth a watch if your into you vintage Kung Fu movies.I recommend this movie to people who are into their action/adventure/comedy, Kung Fu movies, which came out on VHS during the 80's. 7/10

One of Jackie's most memorable movies ever made since it brought the early prototypes of Jackie's now trademark choreography. It is not Jackie's best movie since he had to rush making it (and I'm pretty sure it would be one of his best if they had given him more time) but you sure can't miss this movie since this is the movie that set the cornerstones of his later trademark choreography.In this movie you see Jackie's good slap-stick-humor and a mix of his "old" and "new" fight choreography. Yes it is visible it was a rushed affair and part of it ain't that great, but this is a must for Kung Fu films and Jackie Chan fans.I especially want to praise the ending of the movie which is comparable to Legend of the Drunken Master, one of Jackie's more memorable and more famous Kung Fu film. In this movie (along with Legend of the Drunken Master) Jackie actually gets scary, right there in your face staring at you in the eyes in the final fight scene.Good movie, not his best but still good. 8/10

Young Master was JC's first directorial effort and it is definitely a classic amongst his films from his golden age. Full of action (and incredibly impressive action for its time) and great comedic scenes, it's not laden down with too much unnecessary filler; the drama is kept to a minimum and there's no token romance. JC just looks in his prime, an astonishing physical specimen, and his fight/stunt work puts this to great display.As with most classic kung fu cinema, there is a grand finale fight with the main baddie, and young master certainly doesn't disappoint on this aspect...in fact it could arguably be called the best climactic fight in all of HK cinema! The master hapkido kicker Wong In-Sik is more than a match for Jackie's skills, and thus ensues an epic fight that approaches 20 minutes.Whilst not JC's best film in my opinion, it is certainly in his top 10 and will always be a pleasure to re-visit on multiple viewings.

There are a few nice set pieces, including a Chinese lion dance near the start and a fight using a wooden bench of all things, but overall I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest.The story drags a bit in the middle and there isn't the usual quota of physical comedy and crazy stunts you'd expect from a Jackie Chan film to tide things over in the meantime. Also, the cameraman seems to have been on a caffeine rush during the filming of several scenes, as Young Master has the highest number of crash zooms per minute I've ever seen in a movie. There are a couple of scenes where the camera is rapidly zooming in and out almost constantly and seemingly at random, which is kinda distracting.Not a great place to start if you're new to Jackie Chan then, but it's an enjoyable enough way to pass the time if (like me) you're a Chan fan.