Kung Fu star David Chiang takes up the reigns as director for this odd but very effective story of heroin addiction. Ti Lung, who turns in a fine performance as the kung fu instructor who has lost himself to addiction, finds himself an unlikely ally in his own drug supplier, (the awesome Wang Chung.) Chung forces him to break his drug habit, and an intense friendship develops between the two outcasts. Wang Chung and Ti Lung are both legends, and it is a treat to see them fighting side by side, against a sinister drug boss, who has made his living by taking in orphaned children, and raising them to be his henchmen, and to deal drugs and to kill for their master. "The Drug Addicts" is an absolute classic of the genre and is worth the effort it will take to find it. That same year Ti Lung directed "The Young Rebel" which starred David Chiang, which is also excellent.
3 Reviews
Crack kung fu...
poe4261 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
That's "crack," as in "good." THE DRUG ADDICTS begins with Kuan (Ti Lung) writhing in the throes of drug addiction. He's soaked with sweat and apparently experiencing painful withdrawal cramps. His "connection," Chien (Wang Chung), refuses to hand over the much-needed narcotic. Kuan begs and pleads, but all to no avail: Chien beats the daylights out of him (at one point, knocking him down a flight of stone steps- a fall which Ti Lung does himself, without any padding). To add to his misery, Chien locks him away in a small, one room building. Kuan goes apes***, throwing the meager furniture around (in a scene that could've been construed as chewing of the scenery except for the fact that Ti Lung manages to sell the notion that he's a hardcore addict) and even flagellating himself with a metal folding chair. It takes him a while, but he eventually comes to grips with the monkey on his back and returns to teaching kung fu. Unfortunately, Chien's boss has plans for Chien and, when Kuan begins to disrupt the flow of drugs and cash (he even manages to get a crack whore into rehab), the boss decides it's time Chien proved his loyalty to the gang by killing Kuan. There isn't a great deal of kung fu in THE DRUG ADDICTS, but what there is is decent. David Chiang does a great job of directing, but that might not come as a surprise when one learns that his "assistant director" on this one was Chang Cheh himself. As a drama, it's worth a look (Chiang and company manage to evoke the sordidness of drug addiction), but it's not really an action movie.
Rather stiff and slow for the most part even if the finale is good
bob the moo26 October 2013
I think this is the first film from the Shaw Brothers that I had seen in a contemporary setting and as such it took me a little time to settle into it. The film opens with Kuan in the throws of drug addiction and it is only the pity of dealer Chien which puts him on the road to recovery. Some time later Kuan is clean and teaching martial arts when Chien returns to his life, bringing danger and action with him. Well, sort of – because in truth there is nowhere near enough action in this film to really carry it.
For the most part the film has lots of dialogue and scenes of drug addiction but not too much in the way of fighting. The odd scene breaks out but generally it is a rather dull affair as the words don't add much but instead only serve to push the action out. The character drama is a little soapy and overwrought for the most part, so it doesn't feel like we get a serious drama in return. The action does get good at the end and the traditional boss fight is enjoyable but sadly a bit short. The performances are OK but the material kept me out a bit. Ti Lung and Wang Chung are both pretty good but I would have liked more from the boss. Lee as a whore with a heart of gold is good-looking but really doesn't have too much of a character.
The film ends on a strong note but generally it takes up time with drama that isn't particularly well done. The fight sequences are mostly sporadic and the dialogue and drama that forces it out really doesn't work as well as it should.
For the most part the film has lots of dialogue and scenes of drug addiction but not too much in the way of fighting. The odd scene breaks out but generally it is a rather dull affair as the words don't add much but instead only serve to push the action out. The character drama is a little soapy and overwrought for the most part, so it doesn't feel like we get a serious drama in return. The action does get good at the end and the traditional boss fight is enjoyable but sadly a bit short. The performances are OK but the material kept me out a bit. Ti Lung and Wang Chung are both pretty good but I would have liked more from the boss. Lee as a whore with a heart of gold is good-looking but really doesn't have too much of a character.
The film ends on a strong note but generally it takes up time with drama that isn't particularly well done. The fight sequences are mostly sporadic and the dialogue and drama that forces it out really doesn't work as well as it should.
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