Post by doomedbloodwork on Nov 16, 2004 6:58:53 GMT -5
In the martial arts genre, there are probably only a select few films which belong to the elite. Among those are the Bruce Lee contingent, especially ENTER THE DRAGON (the most accessible of all) and THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN, which in some ways is superior, especially in it's two-hour subtitled version.
The plot concerns a troublemaker who hides in a Shaolin Temple and discovers that he has to go through a series of tests in 35 different chambers to gain access to the specific one of the title. How he goes through the varied tests of increasing difficulty is the focal point of the story, but it is pulled off with style, wit, panache and intelligence.
Going into it, you may think it is nothing more than another of these chop-sockey movies that were churned out during the 70's, but there is a refreshing perceptiveness around it that marks it as a cut above the norm. What's even more surprising is that a semi-sequel, RETURN TO THE 36TH CHAMBER, which has been created by the same cast and director, is not only a send-up of the film, but flips expectations beyond themselves to provide an equally original and pleasant surprise. The other good thing about this one is that you don't need to have seen THE 36TH CHAMBER to appreciate it. Both are worth watching for the fight scenes alone.
Catch both of these when you can....
The plot concerns a troublemaker who hides in a Shaolin Temple and discovers that he has to go through a series of tests in 35 different chambers to gain access to the specific one of the title. How he goes through the varied tests of increasing difficulty is the focal point of the story, but it is pulled off with style, wit, panache and intelligence.
Going into it, you may think it is nothing more than another of these chop-sockey movies that were churned out during the 70's, but there is a refreshing perceptiveness around it that marks it as a cut above the norm. What's even more surprising is that a semi-sequel, RETURN TO THE 36TH CHAMBER, which has been created by the same cast and director, is not only a send-up of the film, but flips expectations beyond themselves to provide an equally original and pleasant surprise. The other good thing about this one is that you don't need to have seen THE 36TH CHAMBER to appreciate it. Both are worth watching for the fight scenes alone.
Catch both of these when you can....