88 Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: Legendary kung fu master Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) and his mischievous students unwittingly move their Po Chi Lam clinic to an undesirable location, but it becomes the least of their worries as they uncover skullduggery on the part of trading associations, a cult, and even the authorities. (110 Mins)

 

Nova Media Korean Blu-ray Synopsis: N/A

 

UK DVD Synopsis: Village girls have been mysterious going missing. The elders request Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) to investigate. Wong does not want to get involved, but – a plot to kidnap women for the slave trade – a temple of corrupt monks – a dragon dance contest of the century – Wong Fei Hung soon finds he must fight the battle of his life to save his village and his reputation. Also known as Claws Of Steel and The Scarlet Claw. (90 Mins)

 

Made In Hong Kong UK VHS Synopsis: Jet Lee, Hong Kong's brightest martial arts star and inheritor of Bruce Lee's mantle, is Wong Fei Hung, folk hero and legendary kung fu master waging a one man war against corrupt and ruthless Boxer Society criminals in turn-of-the-century China. Scene after scene of breathtaking martial-arts acrobatics, choreographed by the redoubtable Shaw Brothers veteran Yuen Woo Ping (director of the Jackie Chan classics “Drunken Master” and “Snake In The Eagles Shadow”) combine with a truly charismatic performance from the incomparable Lee in Wong Jing's adrenalin-fueled action classic. A masterpiece in the tradition of Lee's groundbreaking “Once Upon A Time In China” and “Fong Sai Yuk” series. (105 Mins)

 

Views: Also known as Deadly China Hero, Claws Of Steel, Iron Rooster Vs Centipede, and even Wong Fei Hung 4 and 5 as an unofficial sequel to the popular Once Upon A Time In China series, Last Hero In China gives Jet Li the chance to relax and have fun with the legendary character that helped make him a household name, delivering a more light-hearted version of Wong Fei Hung which, at times, even makes a mockery of the very series he just left. Written and directed by Wong Jing, Last Hero In China tells the story of Wong Fei Hung and his wacky disciples who have just opened their new kung-fu school next to a brothel. While he struggles to come to terms with the situation and the lusty women coming onto his students, Wong soon uncovers a smuggling operation that is being conducted by a gang of perverted monks and corrupt officials who are kidnapping the very same girls. Through perseverance, wildly stylised kung fu, and total hilarity, Wong and his students set-out to put a stop to the abductions and to those who are behind it!

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1993 was perhaps one of Jet Li's busiest and best years as an actor with no less than 6 productions on the go, all of which were fantasy period pieces. The first was the underrated Once Upon A Time In China 3, his final film for Tsui Hark before returning to the role for him in 1997 with Once Upon A Time In China & America. Jet would also make two highly regarded features with his regular cohort and Eastern Films partner, Corey Yuen Kwai, with the fantastic Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2, two films that are often considered to be some of his finest. Yuen Woo Ping's wonderful Tai Chi Master was also on the cards, with Jet starring alongside the Oscar winning Michelle Yeoh and martial-arts powerhouse Chin Siu Ho, before Jet would sign up for a three-picture deal with the illustrious Wong Jing, one of which would begin production the following year – New Legend Of Shaolin; Wong's adaptation of the popular Japanese Lone Wolf & Cub series – with the other two being the incredible Kung Fu Cult Master and this, the hilarious and highly entertaining Last Hero In China. The film benefits from having plenty of slick fight choreography, courtesy of the legendary Yuen Woo Ping and his brother, Yuen Cheung Yan. Aside from the aforementioned Tai Chi Master made the same year, Woo Ping had already worked with Jet on Once Upon A Time In China 2 as the action-choreographer and would continue to do so again on titles such as Fist Of Legend, Black Mask, Fearless, and the underrated Hollywood action-fantasy The Forbidden Kingdom, that saw Jet star alongside Jackie Chan. While there are some moments of under-cranking during the fight scenes, something that was quite common with Yuen's work of this period, the action is often memorable and hugely entertaining, especially the scenes that see a lion dance invaded by a giant centipede, Wong's deflection of a prisoner, the superbly designed bridge battle between Jet Li and Gordon Liu, and the final showdown that allows the former to dress like a rooster and show off his drunken-fist boxing. It's a fight that harks back to one of Yuen Woo Ping's earliest directorial efforts with Drunken Master starring Jackie Chan, and proves to be a great finish to the fast moving feature.

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Here, Jet Li is joined by a top cast including Wong Jing regular leading lady, Sharla Cheung Man, who would also star alongside Li in Kung Fu Cult Master later that year. Discovered by Wong Jing and debuting in his martial-arts action-classic, Magic Crystal, Cheung had already starred in over 40 films by the time Last Hero In China came about and does a great job, once again, in her action role as a warrior woman that aids Wong's mission alongside her father who is played by Chu Tit Wo – a 70s kung-fu actor who starred in action hits such as Crystal Fist, Martial Club, Legendary Weapons Of China, 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, Project A 2, Miracles, Crystal Hunt, and The Bare-Footed Kid which came about just after this. The amazing Gordon Liu appears once again as a Shaolin monk, only this time a villainous one who is behind the abductions. While his role is more of a bit-part than full starring role, Liu still impresses and stars in one of my favourite scenes with the aforementioned underground bridge fight in the dungeon where he keeps his prisoners. While this fight against Jet is definitely a highlight of the film for many, Liu gets to return to the story a little later to bust more moves. His Shaw Brothers co-star and legend in his own right, Leung Kar Yan, stars as Wong's leading disciple Leung Foon – the character played by Yuen Biao in the first OUATIC and Max Mok after that. While it's mostly played for laughs, Leung still gets to show off his physical attributes which is always a joy to watch and returns to work with Jet in Kung Fu Cult Master, and again 20 years later in the fun Badges Of Fury. He is partnered with the handsome and funny Dicky Cheung who stars here as Bucktooth So, with their pairing proving to be often hilarious and enjoyable to watch, although this would be his only film with Jet Li. The hilarious Nat Chan Pak Cheung, who has been a Wong Jing regular since he first worked with him in the early 1980s on Winner Takes All, appears as the brothel pimp and whimpering Mass Tar Wong with the prolific and wonderful Kingdom Yuen who stars as his brother madam. The lovely Anita Yuen, who hadn't quite reached her peak by this stage, appears as one of the more characteristic prostitutes known as Miss Nine, with popular choreographer and actor Dion Lam appearing as the antagonised prisoner that is made to attack Wong earlier in the movie. The incredible, prolific, and late Alan Chui stars in one of his best roles as the sadistic and brutal Official Lui Yat Siu who relishes in his evil role, and proves to be more than a match for Jet Li's physical prowess. Since making his debut as a child actor in King Hu's Come Drink With Me in 1966, Chui went onto work on around 150 films through to 2020 as an actor/director/choreographer, proving to be one of the best in the business until his passing in November of 2022. It's also worth noting the fun cameos by the amazing Chung Fat, Yuen Mo, and Jimmy Au who get to enjoy the films' opening fight scene against Jet in his introductory scene as Wong Fei Hung...

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It's worth noting that Tokyo Raiders director Jingle Ma provides some great cinematography, along with Tom Lau who would go on to shoot My Father Is A Hero and Dr. Wai & The Scripture With No Words for Jet soon after. Presented, once again, under the Heung brothers' Win's Movie Productions banner, Last Hero In China has often been considered among Wong Jing's finest works as a director, with 1993 proving to be his transition period into wuxia epics as a director with such as this, Legend Of The Liquid Sword, Holy Weapon, Kung Fu Cult Master, Hail The Judge and New Legend Of Shaolin, proving that he could quite happily produce the same quality of exciting wire-fu action alongside the genre-experts such as Tsui Hark, Tony Ching Siu Tung, and even Yuen Woo Ping himself – although it would be over a decade before he would return to it, regardless of his success with the aforementioned titles. Still, it's only fair to say that Last Hero In China proves to be as highly entertaining today (especially with this new HD restoration and Blu-ray release from 88 Films) as it was upon its release that saw it take in over $18 million HK dollars during its release in the month of April, 30 long years ago in 1993!

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Overall: With non-stop comedy, exciting and impressive kung-fu action, and a stellar cast to boot, Last Hero In China is still as entertaining today as it was upon release and is well worth checking out!

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88 Films Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary with James Mudge, Deleted Scenes, Jet Li's UK 2000 Visit, Trailers, Stills Gallery

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Nova Media Blu-ray Extras: Trailer

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UK DVD Extras: Cast Bios, Trailer, Photo Gallery

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Made In Hong Kong VHS Trailers: Snake In The Eagles Shadow, Moon Warriors, Invincible Shaolin, Treasure Hunters

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Get your copy HERE

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Watch my unboxing video for this 88 Films Blu-ray release HERE