I was so excited to finally see this action packed classic, and I was not disappointed! Not only did it star a fantastic martial arts cast - including Jack Long in a similar look to his character in the brilliant Ninja Hunter (ironically this is also known as Ninja Hunter 2), but the fight choreographers behind the action were none-other than the amazing Alexander Lo Rei and Robert Tai. Of course, Lo Rei starred alongside Long in the aforementioned movie, and the most of this cast have also shared the screen with Lo Rei at some stage, or at the very least, been directed by Tai...
Directed Ko Shih Hao was behind one of my childhood favourites, Ninja Kids: Kiss Of Death (aka Ninja Tiger) as well as starring in a host of classics from the 70's. And sure enough, with those Alexander Lo Rei movies in mind, 5 Fighters From Shaolin totally delivered!
Bursting with energy, due to its fantastic kung fu cast, the film has some fun comedy woven throughout mixed with crazy stunt-work, with plenty of fast and furious martial arts choreography. Mark Long, almost unrecognisable as an old monk, travels the land to find the best (but most rag-tag) bunch of fighters to help him take on the white-haired killer, Jack Long. These include Shaw Brothers star Chiang Sheng, who also played the blind master in Ninja Kids: Kiss Of Death, and a host of other recognisable faces.
Although I talk about how 5 Fighters From Shaolin is just like Lo Rei's other ninja movies, it is by far the most comedic of them all. And funny in a way that doesn't detract from the top kung fu action that is going on. In between the many fights on offer, is the obligatory training sequences - which obviously begin in a comedic fashion before making the fighters into masters. This of course, leads to an insane 20 minute finale with the fighters taking on the awesome Jack Long and his men, in a kung fu battle of crazy stunts, violent moves and explosions in true Lo Rei/Robert Tai style, which is more than enough to keep me happy!
In fact, all that's missing is Alexander Lo Rei himself...
Overall: Funny and fast paced, action packed and full of great kung fu, 5 Fighters From Shaolin is well worth the watch and highly entertaining!!
