The Skyhawk (1974)

The Skyhawk starred long time portrayer of Wong Fei Hung, Kwan Tak Hing. Carter Wong and Sammo Hung played his disciples while everyone was traveling through Thailand. The Thai scenery and ruins were a nice change of pace from the usual sets and oft used scenery in the average Hong Kong kung fu flick.

Wong Fei Hung and his disciple Fei Fei are in Thailand to visit his friend Mr. Chu and also Fei Fei’s sister Yu Ying who owns a restaurant. On the way to Chu’s house, they meet Leo who has run afoul of the local martial arts school. Leo joins WFH on his travels. Mr. Chu has his own problems with Ku, a local Chinese businessman who is striving to take over the docks with his drug smuggling and human trafficking. Along for the ride is an evil kung fu master and his disciples who allied themselves with Ku.

What this film had going for it was the cast. Kwan was nearly 70 but still did many of his own fight moves. Sammo was at the beginning of his career and the guy who was the punchee as much as the puncher. He showed his stuntman skills by flipping and twirling when the receiver of fists and kicks. As the martial arts director, the choreography reflected his style-smash mouth, basher, hard hitting fists, and bodies hitting the ground even harder. The action kept the movie moving forward in a way the story wasn’t able to. Nora Miao had a high billing but very little to do except stand around occasionally and wring her hands.

The story wasn’t very original and had one of my least favorite tropes-the noble kung fu master who refuses to fight. WFH kept telling Sammo and Carter to be patient and tongue lashed them when they fought. Even when they were defending Fei Fei’s sister from being raped. Pretty sure WFH would have defended himself if the bad guys tried to sexually assault him. The popular master only allowed the good guys to fight after the bodies of friends and family started dropping.

Overall, The Skyhawk had its entertaining moments and several quality fights. It was fun to watch Kwan Tak Hing near the end of his career and Carter Wong and Sammo Hung at the beginning of theirs. Only for fans of old kung fu films and as usual rated on a curve.

18 December 2024

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