Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow  B
By Kage Alan

“Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow” marked a first for Hong Kong star Jackie Chan. Not only was it the first collaboration with Director Yuen Yoo Ping, the action choreographer for “The Matrix” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, but it was also the first time he combined martial arts with slapstick comedy. The film takes place at the end of the China Dynasty and deals with the Grand Master of Eagle Claw and his quest to completely stomp out of existence any school teaching the Snake Fist style. Unfortunately for him, the Snake Fist Grandmaster Pai Cheng-Cheh won’t submit and the two battle it out for the right to survive. Snake Fist loses the day to Eagle Claw and goes into hiding. Meanwhile, we’re introduced to another martial arts school where the Master is away on business and has left the place in the care of two idiots. Their favorite pastime is using the hired hand, Chien Fu (Chan), as a human punching bag.

When Fu stands up for an old beggar getting beaten up on the street, he unknowingly befriends the Snake Fist Grand Master, who is in disguise. Horrified at how Fu is treated by the teachers and students at the school, he decides to teach him how to defend himself, but makes him promise three things, one of which is to never use Kung Fu unless he has to. Next thing you know, Fu is using his new skills to foil those who abuse him, which leads to some pretty comedic situations. In the meantime, the Eagle Claw Master is still on the lookout for his nemesis to finish the job. There can only be one victor here and a showdown is inevitable.

This it the type of film we used to see either on late night television or on the weekends where the story just isn’t as important as the action. Well, there is plenty of action here and the story is just humorous enough to lure you in and keep your attention, so it’s not like some of the other ones we’re used to seeing. This one was definitely entertaining, though not what Asian cinema ultimately wants to be known for.