Snake Fist Kung Fu is a classic martial arts film from 1973 directed by Chen Chi-Hwa. The movie centers around Liu Cheng-Ying (Jackie Chan), a young kung fu practitioner who comes to the aid of his uncle, a master of the Snake Fist style of kung fu. The story begins with Liu leaving home to pursue his dream of becoming a kung fu master. On his journey, he meets a group of bandits who attack him for no reason. Liu easily defeats them, impressing the leader of the bandits, who happens to be the nephew of the notorious King Devil (Yen Shi-Kwan), a master of the Eagle Claw style. King Devil is feared by many for his brutal and merciless fighting style, and Liu soon finds himself caught up in a dangerous rivalry with him.
As Liu makes his way to his uncle's village, he witnesses the aftermath of an attack by King Devil and his gang. Liu's uncle, Master Cheng (Simon Yuen), is gravely injured during the attack, and Liu vows revenge. He begins training in the Snake Fist style under his uncle's former apprentice, Master Shen (Lee Man-Tai), in order to defeat King Devil and restore honor to his family.
As Liu's training progresses, he learns the secrets of the Snake Fist style, which involves using quick strikes and evasive maneuvers to confuse and outmaneuver opponents. In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, Liu trains by fighting against a giant snake, honing his reflexes and agility.
When Liu's training is complete, he sets out to face King Devil and his gang in a showdown that will determine the fate of the village. The final fight scene is a breathtaking display of martial arts mastery, with both Liu and King Devil using their unique fighting styles to deadly effect.
Throughout the movie, there are moments of comedy and lightheartedness, thanks in large part to Jackie Chan's charismatic and energetic performance. Chan's physicality is on full display in the fight scenes, showcasing his acrobatic abilities and lightning-fast strikes. Though not as polished as some of his later films, Snake Fist Kung Fu is a great showcase of Chan's talents as a martial artist and performer.
Overall, Snake Fist Kung Fu is a classic kung fu movie that delivers on all fronts: thrilling fight scenes, a compelling story, and standout performances from its cast. Fans of martial arts movies and Jackie Chan in particular won't want to miss this gem from the early days of his career.
Snake Fist Kung Fu is a 2013 action movie with a runtime of 17 minutes.
