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Half a Loaf of Kung Fu
招半式闖江湖
1978 97 min Hong Kong, Taiwan R 12+
★6.4
Comedy, Action
Director: Chi-Hwa Chen
Trailers
Description
A young daydreamer assumes the identity of a dead martial arts hero and quickly finds himself caught up in a plot by several clans to steal famous martial arts artifacts being transported by an escort company.
Starring
Jackie Chan
Actor
Chun-Erh Lung
Actor
Cheng-Lan Chin
Actor
Key opinion
This early Jackie Chan production is widely regarded as a mediocre entry in the star's filmography, trapped between low-budget studio constraints and the actor's developing identity. While the action choreography provides occasional engagement, the weak plot and uneven humor prevent it from standing out as a significant work.
| Originality | The film acts as a standard, unremarkable example of 1970s low-budget martial arts cinema that fails to rise above its genre's limitations. | |
| Acting | The fight choreography remains the film's most redeeming feature, providing moments of entertainment that hold interest despite the lackluster surroundings. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for being banal and content-poor, lacking a cohesive or compelling narrative thread. | |
| Humor | The inclusion of Chaplin-esque slapstick and parody divides audiences; some find it a colorful, signature performance, while others feel the humor is forced and disappointing. |