If you're looking for a routine kung fu film then THE BONE CRUSHING KID doesn't get any more routine. It appears to have been made in a hurry, with the bare vestiges of a plot that gets made up as it goes along, and not much in the way of wit or originality. The story is about a young and courageous kung fu fighting kid who teams up with an old master for some strenuous training. Unfortunately for him, a mega villain is gunning for the master and the kid must step up to help him.
The best thing about THE BONE CRUSHING KID is the enthusiastic direction, which adds vibrant music to many of the scenes. The editing is fast too and helps to improve the action sequences which would feel otherwise routine. As the hero, Chin Lung isn't much of an actor, but he's more acrobat and some of the amazing flips he does in training are great stuff. James Tien is the guest villain who shows up at the beginning and end to bring gravitas and power. The score rips off THE PINK PANTHER theme at one point. Elsewhere, there's some fun Three Stooges-style slapstick comedy, and the stock fight-in-a-quarry climax.
The best thing about THE BONE CRUSHING KID is the enthusiastic direction, which adds vibrant music to many of the scenes. The editing is fast too and helps to improve the action sequences which would feel otherwise routine. As the hero, Chin Lung isn't much of an actor, but he's more acrobat and some of the amazing flips he does in training are great stuff. James Tien is the guest villain who shows up at the beginning and end to bring gravitas and power. The score rips off THE PINK PANTHER theme at one point. Elsewhere, there's some fun Three Stooges-style slapstick comedy, and the stock fight-in-a-quarry climax.
