Operation Scorpio

"Operation Scorpio" is not one of the best HK action flicks you can find. The story is only mildly engaging, and at times utterly confusing. The martial arts choreography is unique and fascinating (in one of the fights, superhuman strength is pitted against superhuman agility; in another one, we have "scorpio-style" kung fu vs. "eel-style" kung fu!), but a bit too "exaggerated" for my tastes. I'd say there is about 40% wirework and 60% physical skill involved, but even that percentage is still to be admired. One other thing the film lacks is star power: Chin Kar Lok is likable, but not strong enough to carry the entire film as a lead (but that girl he rescues is incredibly lovely). Overall, if you just skip to the last 20 minutes and the three main fights, you won't have missed much. (**)

When I saw OPERATION SCORPIO, I never thought I would see such a fantastic villain in Yuen Jeung. His kicking abilities are the best I've seen since Hwang Jang-lee in the 70's classics. There was wire use in the film, but Yuen didn't really use wires in his fights as his acrobatics and kicks were superb. Sadly, it is a tragedy that Yuen died a while later.

The Scorpion King discussed here, which should not be confused with Chuck Russell's recent blockbuster release, is most notable for two things: a later screen appearance of martial arts legend Chia-Liang Liu, as well as its memorable portrayal of leg fighting techniques.

Liu, who has also the screen name of Lau Kar-Leung, made a name for himself with such classic martial arts epics as Shao Lin San Shih Liu Fang (aka: 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, 1978) and, a personal favourite, Wu Lang Ba Gua Gun (aka: Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, 1983). Jung Yuen, who here made his screen debut with his portrayal of the eponymous supervillain Sonny the Scorpion, provides the astonishing leg fighting.

The Scorpion King relates a tale common in martial arts cinema. Kok Lar Chin plays Yu Shu, a dreamy student and talented artist of manga, who yearns to become a hero and worldly success. He falls in love with Mei (May Lo Mei-Mei), a coy servant girl lusted after, and menaced by, the villainous Mr Wong (also called Mr Wang in the subtitling). Wong's plan to sell her into prostitution is aided by Inspector Hua (Shun-Yee Yuen). Yu Shu's activities cause his expulsion from school and he enters the service of noodle chef Master Lo (Chia-Liang Liu), where Mei also finds refuge. The bulk of the film is taken up with Yu Shu's clumsiness, his rather gauche romancing of Mei, then his semi-humorous attempts at physical improvement at a training college run by one Bull (Jean Pull). Finally he acquires respect in his own eyes and those of the patiently despairing Master Lo during improvised martial training, then a long-telegraphed final bout with Scorpion.

Much of this is filmed in a casual knockabout way, with much of the plot eminently forgettable, even though the malicious Mr Wong with his gold teeth, oriental cackle, furs and wheelchair, provides all the attributes of a memorable villain. When he is not responding to his father's call for aid (a necessary prologue to most of the action) Sonny the Scorpion sports a curious quaff and drainpipe suit, reminiscent of Burt Kwouk's Cato in the Pink Panther films. The lightweight matter of the film, especially the almost obligatory 'training' sequence, as the eager Yu Shu uses gigantic woks and melons to practice fighting techniques, recall some of the early films of Jackie Chan. Sadly, Kar Lok Chin has less of that actor's grace and charisma. His wooing of the girl, and their scenes coming together over the rice grinder, is pleasant but such romance is really just padding between the real drama of confrontation elsewhere.

Bull's fitness academy, into which Yu Shu blunders and later discovers help and friendship against adversity, is full of rippling biceps, mighty thighs and close ups of sweaty pectorals. Some of this display will be familiar to those who remember the outright narcissism of some of Bruce Lee's work. In fact, to Western eyes the latent homosexual atmosphere of this group of butch men, working out together (unostentatiously looked after by chunky blondes), is so obvious that an occidental audience might expect it to be further developed. The conservatism of martial arts cinema excludes this possibility. Bull and his buddies are there purely as fall guys, the eventual humbling of such a massive physique only emphasising the lithe Scorpion's effectiveness as a fighter.

As Scorpion, Jung Yuen is blessed with immense kung fu skills, if not with convincing dialogue. In fact (if seen in this format) the whole DVD is best enjoyed in the original language with subtitles, a situation familiar to those who have watched much in this genre. The variable English dubbing, while pleasingly colloquial, is a distraction. Sonny gets to mouth such sentiments as "However hurts my father will pay - with his left foot!" This, with his aforementioned hair style, means it is only his memorable fighting style that redeems him as a creditable character.

Scorpion style is Sonny's preferred combat technique (Yu Shu develops his own based on the writhing of a snake, involving flapping on the belly like a flounder). Sonny's astounding method is to confront opponents dropped down on two arms and one leg, his other limb arching up over his back to strike out like the creature he imitates. This physically unlikely, but impressive, technique is worth the price of admission alone and its employment brings the house down each time. Many of his stunts appear to be done without props or wires, which makes them all the more impressive.

At the climax, Yu Shu and Master Lo confront the Scorpion in an extended fight, which, as one might expect, is the best thing in the film. Clearly choreographed by the older star, the combat between Lo and Scorpion is so exciting it makes one wish that that which had preceded it was on the same level. Martial arts film fans - and leg lovers - ought to see this, given the calibre of the participants, the novelty of the action and relatively high production values. Others can be directed elsewhere where the entertainment is more even.

Hong Kong, the 1920s. A young man from poor beginnings dreams of being a hero, and spends most of his time training and learning about kung fu and bodybuilding, much against his father's will. He helps a servant girl escape from a ruthless businessman, whose goons then come after them, and terrorizes the young man's uncle's noodle restaurant. The uncle turns out to be an old, reformed Triad assassin, who now helps the young guy become proficient in martial arts. It's all-out Karate Kid style with "wash the wok" instead of "wax on, wax off". The kung fu villain is the ruthless businessman's son, who has a trademark scorpion style that looks cool although it is quite silly and surely completely unrealistic.

But the story, which develops over time, has an epic feel, good characterization, great kung fu and is generally very entertaining. The young hero is very sympathetic and provides a good protagonist to root for. The romance dimension remains undeveloped, though, which is a bit disappointing. Otherwise a great movie.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

This Martial arts comedy is set in 1920s Hong Kong; protagonist Yu Shu attends a prestigious private school but he spends his time drawing martial arts comics and dreaming of being a hero... much to the annoyance of his teacher and his father. When a friend is bullied he tries to help even though the bullies are stronger. Later he helps rescue Mei, a girl he rather fancies who has been sold into servitude who is about to be resold into prostitution. This act leads to him being expelled from school. He and Mei start working at his uncle's noodle restaurant. He also starts attending a local Kung Fu school... although he might just be learning more in the restaurant. Eventually Mei is found by the man intending to sell her so Yu Shu, with some help, must rescue her and others; this will mean fighting the son of the crime boss... a man known as The Scorpion King due to his unique fighting style.

This film provides lots of exciting martial arts action combined with quite a few laughs. The fights are all brilliantly choreographed; they feel very physical despite some obvious wire work. The story is effective even if it doesn't provide any real surprises. The training scenes to slow the action somewhat and the fact that he is actually learning more working in the kitchen won't be a surprise to anybody who has seen 'The Karate Kid'. The cast does a fine job; most notably Kar Lok Chin and Chia-Liang Liu as Yu Shu and his uncle. Jung Yuen was solid as The Scorpion King despite a rather ridiculous hair style! May Mei-Mei Lo was likeable as Mei. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to those looking for martial arts and a few laughs but nothing too intense.

These comments are based on watching he film in Cantonese with English subtitles. I have used the character names listed on the IMDb rather those on the DVD box.