A remake of the 1978 kung fu classic, Avenging Eagle, this underrated gem came at the height of Hong Kong's 'New-wave' of film-makers and is similar to works such as Blade Of Fury, Wing Chun, Iron Monkey and many more that graced the jade screen and won the world over with its crazy wire-fu and frantic swordplay!
Waise Lee and Cynthia Khan weren't exactly strangers to HK film fans at the time, but 13 Cold Blooded Eagles seems to have slipped by most people's 'go-to-lists' for the best of kung fu movies and ones to recommend.
Personally, I think its pretty damn good! It's a nice blend of Blade Of Fury and Kung Fu Cult Master, beautifully shot with plenty of fun action and great acting.
Although she is splashed all over most releases artwork, Cynthia Khan is mainly in a very extended bit-part role really only coming out to play fully for the last half hour. That said, the film runs smoothly up till then anyway and her addition just strengthens things!
Of course, its not just Lee and Khan who impress...
The film is well and cast, with hardly a bad performance from anyone. Director Tsui Fat, more commonly known as Choy Fat, impresses with his first and last film as a director. I'm surprised he didn't go on to direct more. A recognisable face in over 100 Hong Kong films (many of which are pretty well known), Fat would also be well known for his action choreography on many films such as Moon Lee's Killer Angels and Devil Hunters, and also earlier Donnie Yen vehicles such as Crystal Hunt, Cheetah On Fire and Holy Virgin Versus The Evil Dead - of which he also co-directed.
Regular film bad guy and kung fu star Yen Shi Kwan (Once Upon A Time In China, Iron Monkey) kicks ass per usual in what would be one of his last ever movies - and possibly his last action role. Playing the foster father to the eagles, he gets more twisted as the film progresses before becoming the main antagonist of it all and definitely ends his action-packed career in style with a couple of spectacular end battles!
It was refreshing to watch 13 Cold Blooded Eagles again. I'll definitely not be leaving it so long next time...
Overall: If you've never seen it, give it a go - preferably in HD. You won't be disappointed!
