The Legend of Drunken Master

This movie is the re-release of the 1996 Jackie Chan flick called Drunken Master 2 or Jui Kuen 2. The plot is driven by two events: an initial mix-up of luggage between Chan and some British dignitaries, and the establishment of the drunken boxing school as a respectable fighting form. Like many of his movies, it is dubbed with awful American voices. However, this is not the typical Jackie Chan offering. It is funny, fast paced, and full of the complex, bizarre-yet-effective martial arts that Chan is famous for. The movie grabs the viewer's attention by getting to the fight sequences within minutes of the movie's start. The supporting actors are great. They portray typical stereotypes: the sneaky wife, the strong-arm enemy second-in-command, the composed sensei/father figure, and the goofy sidekick. Luckily, the actors play their parts with humor and delivery that brings a freshness to something we've all seen before.

Different from Chan's other movies, Drunken Master never gets boring. The plot moves so quickly and inventively that it could leave a person wondering "What the heck is going on?" Relax and enjoy the swift plot because all is revealed and culminates in a set of final fight sequences that really satisfies.

If you've been burned at the box office by Chan before, get your courage back and see Drunken Master. If you,re still nervous, check it out at the matinee price, but trust me, this movie makes up for any pain Chan may have caused you.

Related Links: Legend of the Drunken Master official website

-Brad Abbott