Dian tang lang

I watched this film in two parts... the first half I watched around a friends house and we both got kinda bored with it as it's composed mainly of comic scenes (that aren't particularly funny - think Jackie Chan) intended to establish characters and get the plot moving... a month or so later (in a slightly inebriated state) I decided to finish watching the film... maybe it was my state of intoxication, but the thing that stuck me immediately was how funny the film is both in terms of the slapstick scenes and the bizarre dubbing which has the master sounding like Albert Steptoe and a whole slew of baddies like John Wayne... the fight scenes are superbly crafted and have many nice original touches... and the ending is possibly the most insane thing I have seen since American Psycho... this is a great film, probably best approached as a p***take comedy... enjoy

As the movie starts, you rapidly become aware of the fact that it's supposed to be a comedy. Not from any perceived attempts a humour, but from the ridiculous faces that are pulled by our protagonist as he gets into 'wacky' situations. Plot? Well, not really. Our bearded hero goes through the traditional ritual of making friends, beating up some bad guys, watching his friends die horribly and revenging them in a long and tedious manner. The kung-fu, while not as stilted as it would be in, say, a Chang Cheh movie, is nonetheless unconvincing and unspectacular. Even by the lowest of standards this movie has nothing going for it, and it should be avoided at all costs.

After watching thundering mantis, I now realize Jacki chan copied the main character of this particular film. I grew up watching Jacki chan.

Jacki chan basically copied this character then used that as a model for his film career. From the crazy eye roll when he gets enraged,to the way he moves.as well as the comedic side of his character.with that being said. This is definitely the top A list of kungfu movies. Blood of the dragon was one of a few movies that really hit home in this genre of films as one of my favorite all time kungfu movies. Now I'm pleased to add this to my list of amazing kungfu movies that have ever displayed on film.

`I call this my Shrimp Fist, I designed it to beat idiots like you,' says the happy-go-lucky Ah Chin, a trouble-making scamp with an eye on helping the needy. His misadventures lead to all kinds of trouble with the Jade Horse clan, who set their mind on wiping out Ah Chin and all who knows him. God knows what triggers the brutal assault, but needless to say Ah Chin must hone up on his kung fu skills (by learning a crazy form of Mantis Fist) in order to defeat these evil scoundrels. Fists perched, legs balanced and beard on full display, Leung Kar Yan truly shines in this somewhat lacklustre kung fu quickie. Culminating in a memorable if truly insane finale, we watch as Ah Chin becomes so bitterly twisted and vengeful, he takes on a new deranged form, dribbling down his beard and occasionally collapsing into lapses of Mantis convoltions, before breaking his opponents to pieces and eating their sweet raw flesh. Hmm, tasty.

I got "Mantis Fist Boxer" on a DVD which also has the movie "Tiger From Canton" from Ground Zero Entertainment. I really wish that Mantis Fist Boxer had been released under the Black Belt Theater Digital Remix collection as opposed to the Brooklyn Zu collection. The print of this movie reeks like the real Brooklyn Zoo and could sorely use some digital touching up.

I've watched my fair share of old school Kung Fu movies, and when I say the print of this film is BAD I mean it is an atrocity. In many scenes the film is so over-exposed in either red or blue you can scarcely tell what you're viewing. And when the film isn't over-exposed the pan and scan ratio is so messed up the actors look like you're seeing them in fun house mirrors that make them taller and thinner. Of the more than 100 old school Kung Fu movies I've seen, the Brooklyn Zu print of Mantis Fist Boxer is THE WORST I've seen to date.

Normally, cheesy dubbing in crazy British voices would amuse me, but in this film it just adds to the painful experience of having to sit through the movie.

Nothing can save this film. Even having the same band of bandits from Dragon Lee's "Champ Against Champ" doesn't help this movie. Even my normal fascination with the mystique of the 18 Bronzemen of Shaolin doesn't help. The plot is so rushed we learn nothing about nor care for the hero. Nor is it explained how or why the evil boss has the 18 Bronzemen of Shaolin at his disposal.

"Mantis Fist Boxer" SCREAMS amateur production from the shoddy quality of the print, to the lack of a coherent plot, to visual effects that are anything BUT special, all capped off by a rushed stereotypical ending.

"Mantis Fist Boxer" is now currently tied with "18 Bronzegirls" on my list of worst Kung Fu films ever. Avoid this low budget stinker at all costs