Who says a 'beggar' is just a street bum? The Chinese film Beggar Su, Drunken Fist Shakes the Sky (疯魔神丐苏乞儿) proves that a beggar can be a top martial artist! This wuxia action film tells the story of 'Beggar Su', a drunkard martial artist who uses the Dragon Subduing Palm to defeat evil. Though the title sounds funny, the plot is intense, and the fight scenes are full-on. It's a film that has it all: kung fu and humor.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story takes place in an era when the evil Tianmen Sect is spreading its influence and harassing villagers. Beggar Su (played by Peng Yusi), a drunken beggar who hides the Dragon Subduing Palm technique, must come out to protect the people and fight against the villains. He is guided by 'Old Beggar' (played by Yuen Cheung-Yan), his master, and helped by 'Gam Ji' (played by Mo Xia), a beautiful woman. The film moves quickly, with exciting action scenes and wuxia-style comedy. It doesn't focus on heavy drama but still has moments to connect with the characters.
Acting and Characters
Peng Yusi as Beggar Su portrays the drunken yet skilled character well, with a drunken demeanor but strong and precise in action scenes. His role has the charm of a wuxia hero: seemingly foolish but with hidden pride. Mo Xia's Gam Ji, though not as outstanding, helps drive the story. Supporting actors like Ning Xiaohua as the villain Cao Kang deliver a convincing evil performance. Notably, Yuen Cheung-Yan (younger brother of Yuen Woo-ping) appears as Old Beggar, adding color to the film despite limited screen time.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Directed by Chen Juli, the film does well for a low-budget production. Action scenes combine wire-fu and kung fu, with camera angles emphasizing the speed of special moves. While the visuals aren't as stunning as big-budget films, the colors are vibrant and the editing is tight. The music uses classic wuxia style, enhancing key scenes, though it can feel repetitive at times.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team believes Beggar Su, Drunken Fist Shakes the Sky is a film that 'has it all' more than expected. Though not a legendary film, it fulfills its role as a modern Chinese action film: putting fun and excitement first. The drunken-but-skilled hero is a familiar charm for wuxia fans. The film also imparts lessons about not judging others by appearance and using power to help the weak. Although the plot is predictable and the villain may feel stiff, overall the film is enjoyable, with thrilling action and well-timed humor. It's a great film for killing time without overthinking.
Verdict
Beggar Su, Drunken Fist Shakes the Sky is an enjoyable and well-rounded Chinese action film, suitable for those who like light-hearted wuxia films with good fight scenes. It entertains well, though not perfect, it's worth watching.
👍 Pros
- +Exciting action scenes with full-on Dragon Subduing Palm techniques
- +Peng Yusi's performance has wuxia charm
- +Humor is well-placed and not drawn out
👎 Cons
- −Plot is quite predictable and shallow
- −Visual effects and CGI not up to big-budget standards
- −Some characters lack depth
Top Cast
FAQ
They are different stories. Although the names are similar and both use the Dragon Subduing Palm, this film is a new creation, not a remake of Su Qi'er.
The film is 83 minutes long, short and concise.
For platforms showing in Thailand, most have Thai subtitles available.
