Leofwine_draca THE EVIL CULT is a typically over the top effort from director Wong Jing. What this guy's films lack in precision and technical merit they certainly make up for in endless madcap action sequences which are invariably heavy on the wirework. The plots tend to make little sense and yet it's all so bizarre and hilarious that you can't help but be caught up in the journey.Apparently this is based on a historical novel of some kind which may account for the complex and confusing nature of the storyline. There are various warring cults in search of a mystical sword, but Jet Li is the central character, searching for the villains who killed his parents and orphaned him as a child thanks to some mystic palm technique. He joins forces with fellow questers and must strive to put an end to the endless treachery and war around him.Li isn't bad here but his presence is overshadowed by the supporting actors. Chingmy Yau is a particular pleasure as the beautiful young warrior woman who accompanies him on his journey, while Sammo Hung bookends the production as a fatherly monk. Francis Ng and Collin Chou have supporting roles, there are cameos from Ekin Cheng and Lam Ching-ying, but most apparent of the bunch is Richard Ng who to my delight is playing a vampire master. As usual, goofy comedy ensues.With Wong Jing at the helm there are the usual scenes of questionable taste, such as the sub-plot involving the two rapists whose perverted desires are played for laughs. But for the most part this is about the action, which is loud, mad, and scenery-destroying. Watch out for the other bizarre moments sprinkled throughout the production, like the guy with the broken spine who's strapped himself to a massive boulder as a way of getting around. Novel, to say the least.

Eunus This will sure make fans of grotesque children's shows like X-Men happy but it is guaranteed to be a source of disappointment if not anger to viewers familiar with the atmosphere present in Jin Yong's writing. The film's basic handicap is its effort to shrink a lengthy epic (at least partially) to a standard theatrical run. In the course of the film, you can never know what genre it strives to be in. A regular MA film, period drama or straight slapstick comedy? Sexual jokes and especially the absurd depiction of Huashan (Wah San) cult members serve nothing but to dilute the effect of the setting. The character played by Sammo Hung would fit to any grey-haired, eccentric kung fu master but when it poses to be the portrayal of a mythical Chinese sage like Zhang Sanfeng (Chang San-fung), it becomes too light even to be taken seriously. Few reasons to see this one may be the distinguished acting of Jet Li and mesmerising beauty of Sharla Cheung. In a film with a little from everything, it is doubtful that you'll find anything. Wong Jing would have done better if he kept in waters he knows well. I'd prefer a "Naked Killer" Chingmy Yau for sure.

winner55 this is definitely a film for those who like wire-works 'fu. i do, to some extent, so i enjoyed it; if you don't mind wire-works, the martial arts are actually fairly well done.jet Li's character is interesting, and he performs it well; most of the other characters are not well-developed, so the actors go through their paces as professionally as possible.some of the photography is quite good, and so is the editing.the serious flaw of the film is the story; director Wong jing doesn't seem to know exactly where he wants it to go. i allow that this is the first film of an uncompleted trilogy, and so we are supposed to be left dangling at the end. but the fact is that Li's character is supposedly bent on revenge against all the clans for their participation in his parents' deaths, but this gets lost about half-way through the film. Wong jing tries to re-coup this issue with a couple flash-backs, but there's nothing in the immediate story as it rolls along to keep us aware of it. and if Li's character isn't acting out his revenge-quest, what he doing here becomes unclear. consequently, there's no thematic thread to hold these characters together; it becomes just another clan vs. clan tale, and not much of one at that.occasionally fun, but i'm not holding my breath waiting for the sequel.

Joseph P. Ulibas Kung-Fu Cult Master (1993) is a strange film based upon a series of fantasy novels. This was to be the first of the films. Sadly, the movie didn't make enough money to warrant a conclusion. But don't let that keep you from watching this action packed fantasy film from the lens and pen of Wong Jing.The movie follows the exploits of Chang Mo Kei (Jet Li). He's out to avenge the deaths of his parents and reclaim his rightful imperial title. Despite being afflicted by a deadly poison and his lack of fighting skills, he's determined to destroy all of those who ruined his life. During his travels, he encounters many strange individuals and characters whom he assembles into a group of fighters who join him in defeating the evil cult who swore to wipe out his royal lineage forever. Can Chang Mo Kei and his motley crew eliminate the Evil Cult before the can do the honors upon him?A very strange but highly entertaining film. I don't know how much this is based upon the fantasy novels but a lot of the dialog and situations are pure Wong Jing. The fight scenes )directed by Sammo Hung) are a sight to behold. This film has so many memorable characters that you'd wish they had finished the series. Highly recommended just for the sheer madness.