Lan tou He

'Dirty Ho (1979)' is a martial arts movie about a young conman who finds himself indebted to a mysteriously influential antique enthusiast. His initially antagonistic attitude to his new master soon changes when he realises the latter is really, really good at kung fu. This action-comedy is equal parts humorous and exciting, featuring phenomenal fight choreography that perfectly blends fast-paced combat with zany slapstick to craft some truly unforgettable scenes. The creativity on display is almost as impressive as the physicality, with dance-like sequences that go on for minutes longer than you'd ever think possible (without ever truly dragging). Although the story is somewhat weak and the characters aren't exactly deep, the picture knows exactly what it wants to do and it does it with aplomb. You'll smile, then drop your jaw; laugh, then ponder how a mere human can even move like that. It's pretty great for what it is, even if it never quite gets past just being generally enjoyable as an overall experience. Fans of martial arts cinema are in for a real treat with this one.