THE EAGLE'S KILLER is one of many hundreds of low budget kung fu films to come out of Hong Kong and Taiwan in the wake of Jackie Chan's international success in the likes of DRUNKEN MASTER and SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW. This film is heavily indebted to the latter in particular and just so happens to share a villain with that film in the form of top-kicking Taekwondo master Hwang Jang Lee.
The film's erstwhile hero is played by the undistinguished John Cheung, who occasionally surprises with his athletic abilities but is mostly overshadowed by his co-stars. The plot involves Cheung learning at the hands of a beggar mentor, falling foul of a stuttering bad guy, and finally finding himself the target of an expert assassin. The usual run of broad comedy, mugging, and fight action fuels this story. It's harmless enough stuff but with a fast pace the tired antics never become boring, and things pick up for the inevitable extended bout between Cheung and Hwang Jang Lee, which is worth the wait.
The film's erstwhile hero is played by the undistinguished John Cheung, who occasionally surprises with his athletic abilities but is mostly overshadowed by his co-stars. The plot involves Cheung learning at the hands of a beggar mentor, falling foul of a stuttering bad guy, and finally finding himself the target of an expert assassin. The usual run of broad comedy, mugging, and fight action fuels this story. It's harmless enough stuff but with a fast pace the tired antics never become boring, and things pick up for the inevitable extended bout between Cheung and Hwang Jang Lee, which is worth the wait.
