fertilecelluloid Review of Masked Avengers

Masked Avengers (1981)

Exciting but monotonous Chang Cheh actioner

[5/10 · 28 December 2007]

"Cha shou" ("Masked Avengers") is an exciting but monotonous martial arts pic directed by the esteemed Chang Cheh, one of John Woo's greatest influences. I always have a problem with the set-bound nature of these movies and enjoy fare such as "Beach of the War Gods" so much more. Still, this is a smoothly photographed, bloody revenge drama with an emphasis on impalings. Ringo Lam probably saw this once or twice before making his amazing "Burning Paradise" because it bears many tonal similarities. Interestingly, Brian May's "Mad Max" soundtrack is used/stolen throughout the pic and often felt inappropriate to me because I couldn't disassociate it from the Mel Gibson classic. A handsome Shaw production with a stellar cast, but handicapped by an old, hoary plot. The sequences featuring the masked fighters possess a creepy quality at times.