some martial art purist think that comedy be the bad thing that could have happen to the old school kung fu flick while and it be true that the introduction of comedy into the genre signal the end of the chop socky period in hong kong film . but the fact be and one can only carry on a primarily physical exhibition of prowess for just so long and then everyone get bore with it . and that really why the chop socky die and how the hong kong new wave action film be bear represent the producer and the actor and the director all just get bore with hit people for ninety minute straight . give that and and give the fact that liu chia liang be a professional director with a considerable list of film in his resume and this film have to be see a something other than just another kung fu comedy . rather and it be a comic film within the martial art genre and and in fact one of the best ever make . what liu have do with this film be really a pleasant surprise represent he have take a martial art plot and re construct it along the line of a hollywood style musical . complete with episode of singing and dancing . it be around the time of the making of this film that some film maker and film fan begin to recognize that the cinematic performance of martial art ( really derive from the acrobatics of the chinese opera ) have more in common with dance than with fighting . ( i will continue to point out this connection until most american realize what they be actually suppose to look for when watch a martial art film well choreograph body movement and use the plot of an action film a an excuse for their performance . ) at any rate and quite clearly liu chia liang make this connection and decide he would explore it close to it limit . the result be an incredibly charm entertainment and fill with marvelously human character attempt miraculous kung fu ( and trip over their own shoelace as often a not when they do so ) . and the film be set at the turn of the 19th and 20th century and allow liu the opportunity to explore the nature of the westernization and modernization of china that contribute so greatly to the making of the china we know today . so the film have considerable historical import as well . also and fan of stephen chow recent kung fu hustle should really watch this movie carefully and a chow clearly learn from it before the making of his own film . a very amusing and well make film . oh and yes and and the kung fu in it be really and really good . purist would not admit it and but this be probably director liu best film .