Movie Review - Kung Fu Killer

Kung Fu Killer ***(out of 5) (R) Hong Kong action fare at its most reliable. That means long on intricately choreographed fights, and short on plot, dialog and character development. Donnie Yen stars as a former police martial arts instructor, serving hard time for murder in a momentary loss of restraint during one fatal encounter with a bad guy. Hope for redemption arises when a highly-skilled psycho starts killing some of the nation’s former kung fu champions. The threat is heightened by his ability to beat each via their respective areas of strength (fist, feet, swords, etc.). The cops let Yen out on a short leash to assist, since he might be able to discover the wacko’s identity, and anticipate his next target(s).

The premise does its job, supporting a batch of fights and chases, each unique in style, setting up the inevitable climactic showdown. Yen is spot on as the laconic hero; Baoqiang Wang shines as an exceptionally deranged villain. Some of the wire work seems out of place in this gritty contemporary setting, but the final face-off between the two foes rewards viewers with its complexity and originality. If you’re looking for classically humorless escapism, this one delivers the goods. (5/29/15, for two nights only at the Tivoli)