GALLANTS
(Hong Kong 2010)
Original Title: Da Lui Toi (aka) Fists Of Dignity; Tiger & Dragon Reloaded; Kung Fu Masters
Directed by Derek Kwok, Clement Cheng Produced by Gordon Lam, Andy Lau Action by Yuen Tak Starring: Wong Yau Nam, Chen Kuan Tai, Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Teddy Robin Kwan, Siu Yam Yam (Siu Yin Yin), Lo Meng, Michael Chan Wai Man Reviewing: MVM UK DVD Release Genres: Martial Arts / Comedy / Drama
Rating - 4.3 / 5
DVD Synopsis: When legendary Kung-fu master, Law Sun (Teddy Robin), awakes from a 30 year coma he discovers that his once celebrated martial arts school has become a teahouse. With the aid of his now middle-aged apprentices, Dragon (Chan Koo Tai) and Tiger (Leung Siu Lung) and new-kid-on-the-block, geeky office worker, Cheung (Wong You Nam), Master Law trains his motley crew of gallant fighters for the battle of their lives – one they must win to safeguard all their futures. (93 Mins)
Views: There was a lot of hype behind Derek Kowk and Clement Cheng's martial arts comedy on its release back in 2010 that, thankfully, lived up to it providing a hugely entertaining flick with a lot of familiar faces and some great kung-fu that saw it win the award for Best Film at the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards! Teddy Robin Kwan plays Master Law, a man who has been in a coma for the last 30 years and finds out that his martial arts school has now become a teahouse. Harassed by some local thugs who have connections to a new martial arts club, The Gate Of Law find themselves challenged with the possibility of losing the school. So with a little inspiration from geeky real estate agent, Leung King Cheung, and support from his (now) middle-aged students, Dragon and Tiger, the totally disorientated Master Law sets about restoring his schools name and training his followers for the biggest fight of their lives!
Quite simply put, Gallants is an absolute joy to watch! It stars a host of Shaw Brothers legends and proved to be the welcome return for the wonderful Teddy Robin Kwan, who had been void of any acting roles for a good 13 years until this. Teddy steals every scene he's in, oozing some great comedic charm with his witty dialogue and cheeky charm – a role that went on to win him the Best Supporting Actor role at the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards. The incredible Bruce Leung Siu Lung and Chen Kuan Tai play his aged students, Dragon and Tiger, both living for their master and dealing with many of their own issues, including getting old. These guys were an incredible casting choice, with both giving amazing performances throughout, both in terms of comedy and emotion drama. Of course, both Chen and Leung get to fight a number of times during the film with each of them showing that there's still a lot of life left in the old dogs yet. The handsome Wong Yau Nam plays wimpy sales agent, Leung King Cheung, the catalyst of the story who finally learns to stand up for himself as well as understanding his mistakes. I first saw Wong as the super cute Sam in the fun Anna In Kung Fu Land, and have always enjoyed seeing him pop up here and there since. This would also see the return of a co-star from that very same film and legend of the kung-fu screen, Lo Meng – here credited as Turbo Law. Much like his co-star Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Meng has been keeping busy since his debut way back in the late 70s, where he played a student of Shaolin alongside Jet Li in Shaolin Temple. After that he joined the Shaw Brothers studios and appeared in many memorable roles, particularly that of the Toad in The Five Venoms. It was great getting to see him tussle with Chen and Bruce, delivering some pretty sweet moves a few times in the film.
The wonderful Siu Yam Yam (Susan Shaw Yin Yin) delivers a wonderful performance as Doctor Fun, love interest to Teddy's Master Law and his carer for all these years. Having made a splash with her role in 1975s, A Haunted House, Yam Yam has went on to star in almost 200 productions and has always been a fan favourite. More noticeable today for her large jaw (due to a medical condition that began in the mid 90s), Yam Yam never fails to entertain and took away the award for Best Supporting Actress as Doctor Fun, which was great to see. JJ Jia Xiao Chen plays Kwai, Doctor Fun's granddaughter and student of the Law school. This would probably be the first action role she has had, and gets to show off some great moves as the young protector and potential love interest of Leung's. The brilliant Michael Chan Wai Man stars as Master Pong Ching, the man in charge of closing down The Gate Of Law in wanting to keep his modern club the best in town. Although he doesn't get in on the action (saving his energy for Dennis Law's Bad Blood also produced the same year), Chan still delivers a fine performance and is always a treat to watch. Chinese-American rapper, Ou Yang Ching, plays Chung – a fighter that escaped to the US to start a new life having been bullied through school by Leung King Cheung. Now with the tables turned, he is determined to take revenge against his geeky old classmate, which just adds fuel to the fire of the fight for The Gate Of Law. When it comes to the challenge, Master Pong has his son, Pong Ka Kwan, step up to the mark. Played by Li Hai Tao, who began life in the industry starring in Shaw Brothers 2003 production, Drunken Monkey, Pong proves a worthy adversary who gives the seasoned fighters a run for their money, alongside Lo Meng.
While many other faces pop in-and-out, Gallants strengths lie with its main cast, but for me, it has to be the great Bruce Leung who steals the show. Offering a powerful and emotional performance, Bruce's storyline as Tiger gives him the chance to flex his acting chops to a degree he most likely hadn't done in such a long time. I was so excited to see that Chow Sing Chi had coerced this kung-fu legend out of retirement for his memorable role in Kung Fu Hustle, and it's great to see him continuing strong both in comedies and more serious roles. For me, his role as Tiger in Gallants is one of his best both in a comedic and emotional context, all topped off with some incredible moves that shows the man still has what it takes to be a kick-ass kung-fu star. Of course, this is supported by the fact that the great Yuen Tak is behind the choreography, another name connected with the Shaw Brothers linage that centre's around Gallants. Tak delivers an abundance of fight action, designed to match the production design and flavour of the film by bringing back the glory days of the 60's and 70's kung fu classics – albeit with a twist of modern impact. From Tiger's introduction to his final showdown, and Chen Kuan Tai's duals against Lo Meng, there is so much to enjoy when it comes to the action, with Bruce Leung's kicks proving to be just as deadly today as they were 30 years ago...
Director Derek Kwok, who had already had hits with the likes of The Pye-Dog and The Moss beforehand, was joined by first time director Clement Cheng – his co-writer of movies such as Skyline Cruisers, The Moss, and Gallants of course. Although he had worked to some degree as an assistant director on the aforementioned Skyline Cruisers for Wilson Yip, Cheng was in good hands with Kwok by his side. Having written a few well received hits at the turn of the century, such as Yip's action flick and the fun, 2002, with Nicholas Tse – Derek Kwok had also worked as an assistant director on films like Dry Wood Fierce Fire, and the awesome Dragon Tiger Gate, before debuting with fantasy-drama The Pye Dog (which was also produced by Teddy Robin Kwan). Since the success of Gallants and its collection of wins at numerous award ceremony's, Kwok has went on to direct some great titles such as Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons, As The Light Goes Out, Full Strike, and returned to the Monkey king saga once again with the very underrated, Wu Kong, starring Eddie Peng as the titular hero! Between them, both directors deliver a love letter to classic kung-fu cinema, all wrapped up in an independent feature that has its flaws but still stands strong with its funny and emotional tale of friendship, growing old, and learning to accept it!
Produced by Hong Kong legend, Andy Lau Tak Wah and actor Gordon Lam, Gallants is a lot of fun for new and old fans of Hong Kong cinema. And while some critics may tear it apart for its turn of events and shift of moods in the last 10 or 15 minutes, I applaud Kwok and Cheng for taking a fresh approach on such an over-used plot device in blending some real world emotions with amazing action. All in all, there's a reason why it won the award for Best Film and deservedly so in my eyes...
Overall: Hugely enjoyable, very funny, and packed with great martial arts action, Gallants is well worth the watch and a great showcase for its ageing stars!
DVD Extras: Trailer
