Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin
Jackie Chan apprenticed in a series of straight-faced martial arts revenge films before he found his true calling as the clown prince of kung fu inSnake in the Eagle's Shadowand the originalDrunken Master. The sprawling clan-war conspiracy adventureSnake & Crane Arts of Shaolinis one of his best pre-fame efforts, a tale of tenuous alliances and double-crosses, with cocky young warrior Jackie in the middle stirring up trouble. The sly rascal in the den of thieves, however, is actually an honorable young acolyte on a mission of vengeance. It's the usual story, with a little more comedy and plenty of old "strike and pose" fight scenes energized by Jackie's youthful athleticism. The opening theme song was cribbed from the same music library that suppliedMonty Python and the Holy Grail.--Sean Axmaker