The Young Master (1980)

Old-school Jackie Chan at his best!

Non-stop exciting action and fun humor from start to finish! Old-school Jackie Chan at his best. It is all acrobatics and Kung-fu with a low budget; there is no need for elaborate stunts, expensive car chases, or fancy locations, only Jackie, a stick, bench or common prop, and amazing Kung-fu.

Story & Writing:
The plot is simple but good, well told, nothing fancy. The pacing is captivating non-stop development, antics or action.
The writing is very good for an action-packed film. T he characters are well-defined enough to not seem 2-dimensional cut-outs. The dialogue is neither banal nor trite (like in some of his other old-school style movie such as the silly “Heart of a Dragon” or “My Lucky Stars”.) And most importantly, the humor is actually funny.

Director & the Action:
This is directed and Co-written by Jackie Chan. It was originally 3 hours long, but cut down to 90 minutes. There were many more action scenes, and the very long fight near the end is said to have been even longer; I feel they have been denied to me. However, considering that there are no filler scenes and the pacing is very tight and action packed, the editing resulted in a very good Version.
Of course Jackie is also the action director, and his stunts are classic Jackie, displaying amazing acrobatics and very powerful Kung- fu !

Cast and Acting:
Jackie is supported with a few good characters and a good cast for the action sequences, most notably Yeung Bao, although his role is small. Acting all around is good nothing noticeably bad, with Jackie showing his talent in acting (those expressive facial expression) and why he is an all-around talent, whether it is in Martial-Arts, action stunts, humor, acting, or charisma. Do I sound trite in my praise? Yes, I probably do, I don’t have the talent to give justice in my words to this true living legend.

Music:
Not noticeable, so at least it was functional in providing the accurate mood.

Conclusion:
It is wonderful to see the “stripped down” Jackie with only his extraordinary talents in Kung-fu that has been rarely scene in his glossy 21st century productions, which keep relying on higher budgets and elaborate stunts. I highly recommend it as a very good old-school action flick and for Jackie in his prime.

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If you are looking for a bloodless kung fu film, Jackie Chan’s second directorial effort, The Young Master, would be a place to start. The fights still weren’t up to speed but the creative use of props made up for it.

Lung and Tiger were orphans taken in by Master Tien. When Tiger betrays the school for money, he’s kicked out. After second thoughts, Master Tien sends Lung out to retrieve the wayward student. Tiger falls in with Ah Suk’s motley gang and helps spring a dangerous prisoner, Master Kam. Lung is mistaken for Tiger and becomes entangled with Sheriff Sang Kwan and his family.

The story was thin, even as kung fu flicks go, but it provided a framework for numerous fights beginning with a Lion Dance. Back when Lung was chastised as a lazy fighter. Somehow, he became a more proficient fighter as the story moved along, all without the benefit of a training montage or new master. The story had continuity issues, perhaps because of editing for time. Chan fought with just about every fighter in the movie-Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi Sang, Yuen Biao, Sek Kin, Lily Li, Wai Pak, Fan Mei Sheng, Yue Tau Wan (& friends), and the big finale with hapkido master-Hwang In Shik. The final fight showed off Hwang’s fighting skills and Chan’s pratfalls for nearly 20 minutes before Chan finally ate his spinach and was able to do more than fall down.

Comparing it with other films from the era, the fights were well choreographed. Fung Hak On and Lee Hoi Sang tended to move at a faster speed in their fight against the prison guards. Chan’s fights were more deliberately styled, often with props, which slowed things down. His fight with Sek Kin (and Sek’s double) was entertaining. The old veteran brought nice acting skill to his scenes as well. I lost interest in the last fight other than being impressed with Hwang’s diverse kicking techniques. There were only so many times I could watch Chan fall down before it became monotonous. The Young Master was entertaining, but often felt a bit self-indulgent and uneven. 7.25 rounded up to a 7.5.

31 March 2025
Trigger warning: Nekkid men’s buttocks

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