Bo za (1980) User Reviews

A solid (second-rate) kung fu movie

[sarastro7 · 7/10 · 20 April 2006]

Shadow Ninja is a little gem. It isn't gloriously original; much of the plot actually seems lifted from Dynamite Shaolin Heroes (1977). Like in DSH (where we have the white-dressed Lotus Man), we have a mysterious killer (here called The White Killer), of whom there also turn out to be two. But where DSH is a clear and neat story with a consistent (and serious) storytelling style, Shadow Ninja is rather more uneven and typical of the derivative, mass-produced '80s kung fu movie.

But even so this is one of the good ones. Granted, there are passages of really stupid "humor" (guys with big fake teeth making stupid faces - that kind of thing) which you should just fast-forward past. But there are also oodles of really good kung fu scenes. Pretty high-level stuff. And it's entertaining. The main hero is extremely self-confident, and he fights with a constant aloof, relaxed and self-satisfied smile on his face, almost as if he was a TV chef working a wok. Fun!

So yeah, there are some good fights. The climactic fight is more brutality than kung fu, though. The hero gets seriously wounded (like, his left arm is broken in three places), but refuses to give up. He's beaten and battered, but he just keeps on coming, until by a fluke he gets a chance to turn the tables on the bad guy, and slice him to ribbons with his own sword. Quite bloody and quite exciting. And when you see the final scene you will know exactly what I mean by "an abrupt ending" (which I have also mentioned in other comments for similar movies)! These Hong Kong guys sure don't waste time on unnecessary closure! :-)

7 out of 10. I also rated Dynamite Shaolin Heroes a 7, but DSH is a much more wholesome and well-rounded product than this movie is. The reason Shadow Ninja deserves a 7 is because of the quality of the kung fu scenes. The story itself doesn't earn more than a 5.

Oh, by the way, I spotted Jackie Chan in a short cameo role fairly early in the movie.

Roy Chiao is the star, not the kung fu

[winner55 · 7/10 · 17 January 2009]

Although fights occur here - with greater frequency as the film goes on - this is not really a kung fu movie. It's a real hybrid, a comi-tragedy about a mildly corrupt (but essentially decent) policeman in his middle years who first finds he must take an overly-eager young rookie as partner, and then is presented with a series of bizarre murders. His rather routine life thus begins unraveling....

Some of the set-pieces are a little old, but some were actually daring for their day, since they would have disappointed expectations of fans of either chop-socky films, crime films, or comedies. The villain loses, but the heroes don't really win in this film, and because we've come to care for them, we feel their loss in a way atypical of the Chinese crime film of the day.

One may take or leave such a mixture as a matter of taste; but the film's merit really depends on Roy Chiao's performance as the aging policeman - while commanding every scene he's in with posture and charisma, he is brilliantly understated, using his eyes for expression, his timing for effect. He comes across as a hapless everyman who just winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but endowed with enough native intelligence - and decency - to recognize when things go awry, and to respond with concern for others besides himself. A marvelously naturalistic performance for a film of any genre.

Better than most

[arfdawg-1 · 6/10 · 3 May 2014]

A veteran and tough sheriff's wife has a gambling problem. He works both sides of the law.

He gets teamed up with a young cop who he is told to take under his wing.

They end up working together well and the young cop's martial arts skills are very useful.

It's an interesting martial arts film that is probably better than most.

Will mostly keep your interest throughout.

Some of the action scenes are poorly shot however and do not display the actors well.

A mediocre martial arts movie with a good ending

[Red-Barracuda · 4/10 · 17 May 2016]

A veteran policeman and young rookie team up to fight a criminal gang who wear distinctive all white clobber.

This Hong Kong kung fu flick is pretty typical of dozens of similar movies churned out from South East Asia at the time. It has a forgettable story, horrendous dubbing and ropey comedy. In other words, it's all about the copious amounts of martial arts combat that plays out relentlessly from start to finish. In all honesty I find these non-stop fight films a little tiring after a while and this one was no different. But it did manage to redeem itself somewhat by the end where we are treated to a grand finale which is a confrontation between the hero and chief villain. It's a decidedly violent final encounter with lots of blood and brutality. It stays in the memory, which is more than can honestly be said for the rest of the movie. Once this fight reaches its bloody conclusion the movie just...stops. It's a good ending to a mediocre film.

If the action is one of the highlights then they did a very poor job of it

[jordondave-28085 · 2/10 · 4 June 2023]

(1983) Shadow Ninja/ Killer Wears White DUBBED ACTION/ MARTIAL ARTS

One of those films where the bad guy outsmarts all the good guys and succeeds into killing everyone whose close to the main star. In this case supposed to be a mystery bout the 'white bandit' who kills people at night but the thing is that viewers with half a brain should be know who the culprit is way before the movie is even over. The characters played by Roy Hung Chiao and Wei-Tung attempting to nab serial killer, who calls himself the 'white killer' which as it turns out its not much of a surprise. Co-written and directed by Tung Cho 'Joe' Cheung. And talk about false advertising there's not a single ninja throughout the entire movie, for the purpose of this alternative title is to draw viewers in.

"My cricket's called 'Superman,' Master Mung's cricket is 'King Bully.'"

[BigShoe62 · 8/10 · 30 December 2007]

This is a very average Hong Kong movie with very above average kung fu.

It is obvious that "Shadow Ninja" is not the original title of this film. The words "Shadow Ninja" are something that was added later, over the original title (grindhouse style), and stays on the screen for an uncomfortably long time. I suspect that maybe ninja movies were doing better than kung fu movies at the time? Strange since ninjas are of course Japanese, and there isn't a single ninja in this "Hong Kong Special" that I can find. Of course, being Shadow Ninjas, perhaps I just couldn't see them.

As usual, many things are the same in all of these movies. Everyone wears slippers and is outdoors a lot (wait a minute, I must amend that to say the hero in this movie wears and fights in western-style shoes at one point. Very impressive). The one gun present is not used in a fight. Every time a punch or kick is supposed to have landed, a loud "thwap" will be heard, like two boards slamming together. At the end of the fight, the loser will be found to be eating ketchup, which will spill all down the front of his shirt, tunic, robe, uniform, hairless chest, etc.

The "plot" of this movie is a strange one, all fun and games and then suddenly the brutal stabbings begin. This sort of sweet-and-sour thing is not uncommon in these Chop Sockies, but this one really hits the extremes in both directions. All of the humor is cheesy and over-the-top (like the dubbing), but occasionally made me smile. The scenes at the Chinese lottery(?) were interesting. Other standouts include "White Norman" (who can really climb a wall) and the portable "naughty picture show," a good idea if I ever saw one.

I agree completely with the reviewer who mentioned the abrupt ending. Most of these movies have an abrupt ending, but this one is like the fly hitting the windshield abrupt. Everyone in the room when I saw this stood and said "YEah! Now thatsa good ending!" Alright I was alone in the room but you get the idea.

The hero has an aloof and easy smile, and seems relaxed even in the center of a fight. The thing is, if they had a decent script coupled with this kung fu, this movie would have been an absolute classic. As it is, the great fight choreography and execution earn it a BigShoeKungFu 8* (the plot is a 4).

--BigShoe62

(*A BigShoeKungFu 8 is an 8 compared to other Kung Fu movies. Compared to a real movie like Citizen Kane or something, this movie is about a 3+.)

Real name of the movie is Killer in White

[gorthu · 10/10 · 18 April 2009]

I've seen probably 1000 kung fu movies, and this is in my top 20. Such a great movie. The comedy, the acting, the directing... Remember the kid from Enter the Dragon that Bruce Lee teaches at the start of the movie. This kid is on fire in this movie. Steve Tung Wei didn't have many chances to show his skills on screen, but this is by far his best performance. His moves are flawless. The action in very good, but the end takes it to another level. One of the most amazing and brutal fights you will ever see. Also one of the best freeze frame endings. This movie comes in the martial arts 50-pack under the title Shadow Ninja. Make sure you don't get the Ghost Ninja version. It cuts out the final fight.