The Loot (1980)

THE LOOT is a nice little kung fu vehicle for a handful of seasoned genre performers, all of whom give solid to great performances as characters involved in the hunt for missing treasure stolen in a robbery. There's some background stuff about a master criminal nicknamed 'the Spider' which seems to have come straight from an old serial or spy film, but it doesn't really count for much as THE LOOT is all about the action.And pretty solid action it is too. Not spectacular, but more than watchable and it certainly fills the screen with excitement. The film was directed by the one and only Eric Tsang, who also has a cameo role. Best of all is that it features a leading role for the great David Chiang, who brings plenty of warmth to his likable and laid back hero who gets involved in a life-or-death struggle for wealth.Norman Chu is fine in support and there's a nice turn for Lily Li, playing something of a complex character as was her wont. Best of all is Phillip Ko, saddled with a predictable part but making the very best of it, as he always tended to do. THE LOOT features plenty of knockabout comedy and gags for the most part, but is notable for the extended two-on-one fight climax which seems to go on forever and is rather exhausting, but in a good way, much like the climax of THE RAID. Fun stuff indeed.

How long can a fight scene be? I don't know, but I hope that it couldn't be any longer than the final fight scene in this movie. The plot was okay and the comedic performances were good; however, the fight scenes went on FOREVER...That is a shame because David Chiang was doing some great monkey-style gung-fu and Norman Chu was pretty good as well (although not as good as he was as Flying Chimp in Wing Chun).Sadly, the mystery of the assassin's identity was overshadowed by the narcoleptic effect the fight scenes had on the view. My oldest, who loves the rather extended fight scene at the end of The Kid With The Golden Arm, woke me up complaining that the fight scene in The Loot wouldn't stop...

This is a rare and unique film with action you would have thought Woo Ping was responsible for. The story has a nice twist to it and run with the film,and what makes it special is that you will never get confused. The two stars work very well together and should have done more films with each other. There is one particular guy to look at, he carries a flute and has a marital arts style that is amazing. This movie falls in the category of good films like Magnificent Butcher, Knockabout, and the Victim. The end fight scene is one to look forward to with spectacular hand and weapon combat, also this is where the guy with the flute really starts to kick some serious azz. I won't waste your or my time telling you this film is great. If you haven't seen it, watch it, if you don't have it, then GO GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!