Based on a Japanese manga, this fantasy actioner concerns two split-at-birth monks who reunite to face off against the King of Hell. Yuen Biao is Peacock, who was raised in Tibet by Eddy Ko Hung. He journeys to Japan to find Ashura (Gloria Yip), who’s the daughter of the King of Hell and the key to the threatened Armageddon. While in Japan, he meets Lucky Fruit (Hiroshi Mikami), another monk who has the same mission. Yes, they’re long-lost brothers who must join forces … mehrto stop Ashura. However, Ashura turns out to be a sweet, nice girl (par for the course where Gloria Yip is concerned), so they decide to allow her to live.

Sadly, the two brothers also have to contend with lots of claymation creatures that are supposed to be minions of hell. They look more like refugees from Beetlejuice, but they sure are mean critters. HK’s Ray Harryhausen earned his keep, because the whole thing manages an enjoyable tone despite the cheapness of the proceedings. It’s nice to see Yuen Biao in his prime - this is a far cry from the Philippine-funded dreck he would later make. Ultimately, this is a messy but entertaining Hong Kong Cinema triumph - by eighties Hong Kong Cinema standards. weniger