Kung Fu Conspiracy aka The Big Risk

KONCATIII

The Big Risk (1974) Fight Choreographer- Lee Chiu Directed by- Joseph Velasco Starring- Nick Cheung-Lik, Tong Tin-Hei, Dean Shek-Tin, Queenie Kong Yoh-Han, Lee Wan-Chung, Wong Mei, Lee Chiu, Eddie Ko. Plot Synopsis- A mysterious, stoic government man played by Kung Fu superstar Nick Cheung-Lik. Is sent to Macau, to recover a fallen agent's important documents. Which have fallen into the hands of a criminal gang, Who are now working with the Japanese. "Not many of us left, they’ve all been killed, and now Lily" "It's a dangerous business and a lot of good patriots are being killed, it cant be helped" Rousing dramatic music plays over some shaky looking credits. With 1970's movie star Nick Cheung-Lik performing a variety Martial Art's moves for the camera. This movie is one kinetic head-cracker of a production. Scripted and directed by Joseph Velasco, this picture ditches its sleazy opening scene's. To become one of the most action packed Hong Kong movies ever made?. Within the first five minutes we have already established the Japanese and some traitorous Chinse gangster's, are the enemies. The story takes a quick dramatic turn from sex comedy, a lackey slips on a voyeuristic informer’s banana peel. Only to slip through his boss's bedroom door and end's up unwillingly on top of him and one of his concubines. Only to turn into a serious fight fest that keep's the comedy reigned in. The Las Vega's of the East, Macau, is presented as being a island of pure vice in this one. Our hero has only been walking on the famous steps of Saint Pauls Cathedral for a few second's, when some brothel worker is trying to lure him in. When we cut to Mr Shao's house, his wayward son played by non-other than Dean Shek. Is busy trying to get one of his father's concubine between the sheet's. Like I said earlier, this one could easily have turned into a full- blown sleaze fest. For some reason the filmmaker's decided to switch tactics. Even Dean Shek's character keeps his hand to himself for the rest of the picture. There's no rabid rocking or convulsing from him here either. sniffs the air- "The killer must still be here" After the obligatory back alley casino sequence, the government man heads to a local dance hall. Where he finds Mr Shao's son and his lackey's un-winding. A combustible powder keg if there ever was one. Not helped by the fact the hero ask's one of the fighter's girlfriends for a dance. The house band perform a strange instrumental of Old Land's Eye, making for a odd soundtrack choice. Especially when the fists start to fly, in a short sharp fight. Martial Arts choreographer and director Lee Chiu, gets fair bit of screen time in this scene and other's playing Chu Yees(Dean Shek) bodyguard Lee Chin. Many of the character names are not that audible in the English dubbed print. Even the main villains last name is pronounced a number of way's, which all sound different. Sure they called him Mr Shit’s at times?. Getting back onto the subject of the plentiful fight scenes. We jump to the famous Old-School movie location, the 16th century Fortaleza do Monte. Which instantly reminds me of the finale from Little Superman, staring Bruce Siu-Leung. Some of the 32 cannon's that grace the forts walls, can be seen during the opening credits. It makes for excellent backdrop, to one of the movies big action set pieces. A five-minute long brawl, that gives viewers a great little tour of the Fort, once used to defend the Islands population against Pirates. Lee Chiu's action direction is heavily entrenched in the then still popular basher style. What it lacks in style and grace, it more than makes up for in wild pace and the sheer turbo charged energy of the actor's involved. "God damn, Lee Chin beat him up" "Listen he's a tough one I can feel it" This fight gets broken down into five smaller scuffles, each with its own location within the old crumbling walls. With Cheung Nik's character desperately trying to fight off his attackers, and stop them kidnapping his female ally. Who doesn’t know any form of Kung Fu, adding a strong element of risk to the scene. I was also unable to I-D the young actress playing the role?. They run the length of the fort, and tries to make it out of the exit. Only for it to be blocked by a hired Japanese fighter (Kong Lung), and a very young Eddie Ko. It's a superb example of the director and choreographer making the absolute most out a location. Lee Chiu captures a real sense of danger and urgency to the fights here too. The plot is about as thick as a blade of grass, yet there's never a long wait before the next dust-up. Bordering on Kung Fu overkill, by the time you reach the last quarter. You start to struggle with Post Traumatic Kung Fu Movie disorder. Which we will get back to in a short while. When fellow agent Number 7(Ma Chien-Tang), goes looking for a mother and her daughter for assistance. A below average fight ensues, and we get to see some moves from Queenie Kong Hoh-Yan. Sadly, the only fig