5 Pattern Dragon Claws (1983)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

FISTS OF LIGHTING (5-PATTERN DRAGON CLAWS) involves the search for "the Four Books of Kung Fu." It goes without saying that everybody and his brother wants the four books. Ah Wong's brother, Kung, sneaks into the Dar Mor (or Du Mar) Temple and murders the Abbot on guard and takes the Four Books- but is caught red-handed by Master Kwok. Meanwhile, the powerful Kam Fu and his brother covet the books. Kung and Master Kwok disappear (it turns out they've somehow bound themselves as punishment for "their" transgression; I THINK). Kwok offers the books to four students, but Wong refuses to break up the set. Kam Fu and Wong fight and Fu wins. He has Wong's body dumped by the river (a handful of dirt is sprinkled over him). Now, Kam Fu is The King of Kung Fu. But- a mysterious white-haired hermit (The Silver Fox) has found Wong and nursed him back to health. It turns out that the mysterious white-haired hermit is none other than Master Kwok, himself. Kung, he reveals to Wong, has committed suicide. Kwok teaches Wong "Thunder Fist" to counter Kam Fu's "Thunder Foot Kick." And so is set the stage for The Final Showdown throwdown. Good action throughout makes 5-PATTERN DRAGON CLAWS worth a look.

Those who think this movie has a boring start are seriously mistaken. This movie has lots of kung fu fighting action throughout the entire movie. Add in a nice training segment and a spectacular ending (which gives literal meaning to "way of the exploding fist") makes for an entertaining movie. The only downside is that main character Dragon Lee doesn't look or sound as tough as i've seen him in some of his other movies. You'll notice this throughout the movie as well as in the final fight of the movie.Also as a bonus on this particular tape, trailers for two movies are shown afterwards. One is for a movie called Mantis vs Eagle Claw and the other is another Dragon Lee movie, Martial Monks of Shaolin Temple.8 out of 10 for me.

This movie is yet another Godfrey Ho-directed Whang Jang Lee kick-fest designed to display his astonishing martial arts prowess. It starts pretty boring with the usual clichés of the martial arts genre. Basically a bunch of cockfighting along the lines of:"your style of fighting sucks! Prepare to die!". Business as usual. NO, it's towards the end things really pick up as Whang Jang Lee breaks out all the awesome moves we love him for. Although some of it wire-assisted, it looks totally awesome just the same. Solid entry in the genre that will make you want to kick some light-posts after-wards.Apemolecule

This movie is your run-of-the-mill kung fu action flick. No original ideas or concepts just genuine, authentic, no holds barred kung fu with some crazy dubbing thrown in. Worth the watch but you might be disappointed if you paid over £5 for it. Budget buy. 7/10 Gorguruga