Produced in the mid 80's at the height of the best Hong Kong action films, this crazy Taiwanese comedy is completely off-the-wall like Aces Go Places meets A Book Of Heroes meets Miracle Fighters!
Presented by Lo Wei, A Heroic Fight is big on cast and big on action. Starring the fantastic and tiny Lin Hsiao Lao who went on to star as the Child Of Peach for director Chiu Chung Hing. The action is handled by Hing also, along with the genius of Yuen Cheung Yan and the Yuen Clan who bring to the screen, some over the top and insane moments. The action stars are of course, some of the best from Hong Kong's golden years, and certainly don't disappoint.
This was only Lin Hsiao Lao's second film after the fantastic Kung Fu Wonder Child (with Yukari Oshima), but she certainly impresses both with her acting and action skills...
The comedy is just mental - with a big focus on gadgets and inventions that may seem out-dated now, but do offer plenty of laughs. I swear, you'll not believe half of the nonsense that goes on, which will leave you both shaking your head and laughing out loud. A lot of this is created by the great Yuen Cheung Yan who plays the father figure to Lin and her team. His character is a special effects and stunt director for the film industry, along with Lin and company. I must note, it was nice to see the posters for Jackie Chan movies in their house!
The attempted kidnapping (and introduction) of a little girl just screams the 80's and looks like a deleted scene from the brilliant Lucky Seven movie. Lin (playing a male role - of a character who plays female roles in kung fu movies) witnesses the kidnapping and gives chase in style, on a BMX nonetheless, complete with gadgets and weapons which is just total madness, although leads to some nice action, and of course, the rescue.
Director Hing also plays the big boss in A Heroic Fight - a character who has heart problems and likes to squeeze his dogs cheek in ways that can only make any animal lover wince. He is also grandpa to the little girl who was almost kidnapped, leading to Lin and her family getting involved having been invited to a big party that just also happens to include a bevy of gangsters.
His right-hand man is the formidable Dick Wei; one of Hong Kong cinemas greatest bad-guys, who is easily swayed into double-crossing his boss once a million dollars is offered by the enemy...
As per usual, he shines in the action department and gets plenty of chances to show off his great kicking skills!
There are a few parodies of famed Hong Kong films here and there, which is fun for fans, and a host of recognisable faces from 80's Hong Kong and Taiwanese cinema...
While totally tongue-in-cheek and far from perfect, the film is a great example of why Hong Kong/Taiwan film fans fell in love with the genre in the first place. It's mad, over-the-top, funny, action packed, and features and hard-hitting, stunt filled second half with some great martial arts and finale!
Overall: Packed with madcap comedy and great action, A Heroic Fight is just plain crazy, but a lot of fun!
