Hapkido (1972)

Hapkido aka Lady Kung Fu was jammed packed with kung fu legends. Starring Angela Mao, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, and Hapkido expert Whang In Shik, the fighting and choreography did not disappoint.

Angela, Carter, and Sammo played Chinese citizens who studied Hapkido in Korea for five years until one day they had a little skirmish in a park with some Japanese guys harassing Angela. Forced to leave Korea they returned to China and opened up their own school. Unfortunately for them, the Japanese had also opened a dojo in their town and as happens in many of these movies, the Japanese were running roughshod over the locals and tried to close down the school. The trio's Hapkido master had preached patience at all costs which they tried to adhere to, but it only resulted in death after death. Finally, Angela had to take things into her own hands with a little help from Whang In Shik in the final fight to clear out the dojo.

The story was wafer thin, and if I'm being perfectly honest, a little annoying at times. I'm all for being kind and patient, but when dealing with murderous bullies, it will also get you killed. There was no character development or back stories, the characters were plopped into the story already statically formed.

What I did like, Angela Mao's character was fierce, decisive, and utterly ruthless. She was also a badass fighter. Hapkido had a wealth of talented martial artists in it and Sammo choreographed the fights with exquisite care. I bumped up my score because I have no complaints about the fast, furious, creative fights. And I have a real weakness for women who are not damsels in distress but take control of situations and handle them with the spirit of a warrior.

In the background as extras were Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, and Yuen Wah. The extras were a who's who of martial artists bit players.

Hapkido is a kung fu classic because the fights are amazing and fun to watch. Sammo and Carter were young and quick. Angela Mao had real screen presence and was a delight to cheer for as she took care of business with her fists, kicks, and killer stare. If you enjoy old kung fu movies, this is one not to be missed.

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