Hong Kong cinema is nothing if not famous for its action flicks, particularly in the 70s and 80s, and no name is more closely associated with that glory than The Shaw Brothers. All the hallmarks are here in this 1977 piece of the studio's impeccable film-making: elaborate and gorgeous sets, rich and detailed costume design, smart and vivid cinematography, and above all exceptional stunts, practical effects, fight choreography, and otherwise martial arts action. Fine as the tale of vengeance, attrition, and intrigue is in and of itself, with some especially smart moments, at times it almost more serves as a vehicle for the visuals, as emphasized with the superb shot composition of filmmaker Yuen Chor.
However, lest one think 'Jade tiger' has nothing to offer beyond the spectacle for our eyes, the narrative on hand proves itself to be marvelously compelling: unexpectedly dark and violent, filled with dire turns, cold deceptions, stark tragedy, and a much higher body count than the average slasher flick. There are some points where the storytelling feels a smidgen weaker, or perhaps the pacing lags, and this is most evident in earlier scenes. In the back end, though, the action, craftsmanship, and plot all converge to a point of grim potency; it was only a marginal, relative shortcoming that held back the picture at first, and the increasingly vibrant conglomeration of elements more than makes up for that slight disparity.
It is true, perhaps, that there's nothing so special about this feature as to make it completely stand apart from its brethren. Yet the strengths that it bears from the very beginning only grow in their gripping, invigorating vitality, with a last punch of a story beat in the denouement that's just as wonderfully finessed as the most rapid, artistic swordplay. At length this is just about as solid a Shaw Brothers production as one could ask for, happy to quietly stun rather than to specifically grab our attention with outward bedazzlement. To whatever extent it doesn't fully make a big impression at the outset, when all is said and done I would enthusiastically suggest the title to anyone who appreciates movies out of Hong Kong. 'Jade tiger' may present as just another face in an admittedly greatly esteemed crowd, yet ultimately its fantastic quality more than speaks for itself, and I'm pleased to give it my very high and hearty recommendation!
