No One Can Touch Her

By the time she made this film, Chia Ling (aka Judy Lee) was already a star, and din't need to prove anything. But she apparently didn't sit on her laurels. She not only mastered the drunken boxing style (and her performance of it here is one of the best on film), but she portrays the blinded alcoholic fighter with a crush on a man she believes will never love her, is realistic and sympathetic.

The rest of the film has some nice touches as well as some really wildly off-beat characters. It is seriously weakened by unnecessary plot twists. The American release print also suffers from an all-important fight sequence getting cut short for no reason that I can tell.

But it is Chia Ling's performance that makes this film, and it will eventually be by this performance that she will be best remembered.

I found this movie to be very action packed with a great story line. From the time that I sat down until the very last frame, I was always on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to come next. The use of martial arts technique used in this movie is by far the most dramatic form of art I have seen in a very long time.

If you are like me and want only the best...this one should never get out of reach.

'Against The Drunken Cat Paws' (1979) - Ting Shan-hsi.

This winningly eccentric Kung Fu gem has the purrfectly exhilarating blend of panther-like speed, gravity-defying agility, and feral femme-fighting power! As always, supreme martial arts goddess Chia Ling is a delight to behold in this consistently thrilling rock 'em and sock 'em Taiwanese chop socky epic! If it hasn't already, this zesty, deservedly popular 70s Kung Fu classic is long overdue a quality HD restoration. With loopy, larger-than-life characters, killer drunken 'Fu, and wholly entertaining comedic interludes, this admirably acrobatic, revenge-tastic, non-stop old school fight-fest is a propah banger!

AGAINST THE DRUNKEN CAT PAWS is a cheap Taiwanese martial arts story about a famed blind female fighter who goes around the countryside taking care of business by bringing those of ill repute to justice. It's an odd little film that seems to have stylistic aspirations to emulate the likes of the wandering swordsman films that Shaw Brothers et al were putting out in the late '60s, yet as a cheap chop socky film it's hampered by a low budget and a lack of finesse in terms of narrative drive and plot elements.

Chia Ling is certainly good value as the female protagonist and her fighting skills are superior to those of many rival performers, both male and female. However, it's the unfocused plotting that lets this film down. The villains are never truly villainous enough to hate and the film gets bogged down in all-too-broad comedy scenes like those involving the ridiculous cross-dressing character so that it becomes a chore to sit through. The good news is that the fight choreography is well achieved although hampered by the obviously low budget, so it's not all bad, but truth be told it could have been much, much better.

(Against the Drunken Cat Paws)is in all-around excellent martial arts movie, from a wonderful story line to great fighting styles. The combined elements of a dwarf, a blind and drunken heroine, a dude with fangs, and a crazy inspector complete this epic tale and in the end, the drunken-style will prevail! I recommend this winner to anyone who is looking for a good drunken-style kung fu with a good plot. I haven't heard anything about a DVD coming out but hopefully one will arrive soon. Enjoy!