'Legend of Shaolin Kung Fu 2: 13 Cudgel Monks' (Yuen Biao, Leung Kar-yan)

[ben]

Hi

Please forgive me if I missed it but I didn't see any other mention of this around here..

It appears Yuen Biao is working in a new film titled " Legend of Shaolin Kungfu II: Thirteen Cudgel Monks"

http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/446-Four-Martial-Arts-Veterans-of-Legend-of-Shaolin-Kungfu-2.html

http://blog.sina.com.cn/shaolinsi2

This is the first I've heard of it but I am very thrilled.

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FOUR MARTIAL ARTS VETERANS OF LEGEND OF SHAOLIN KUNGFU 2

http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/446-Four-Martial-Arts-Veterans-of-Legend-of-Shaolin-Kungfu-2.html

Yuen Biao is playing Tan Zong, one who is responsible for assembling 12 other monks to form Thirteen Cudgel Monks to deal with Wang Shi Chong. He is expert in 72 Peerless Arts of Shaolin, his skills unfathomable, having reached the state of union of Zen and Kungfu. He is pensive, collected, and doesn't exhibit his emotions. He has the bearings of a grandmaster of his times, caring for the affairs of the world.

Leung Kar Yan plays the antagonist Wang Shi Chong, a cunning, greedy, vicious, merciless general of Sui who later usurps the throne. He throws his weight about in the court and oppresses the populace. He bans martial arts practice in order to forestall any future threats.

He raises a group of assassins to get rid of his dissidents. While he loves his daughter Wang Yu Feng (Sun Hui Ning) dearly, he has no qualms about sacrificing her happiness for his selfish gains. Very highly skilled, having mastered Split Assault. He can move at an alarmingly breakneck speed, and is able to create multiple likenesses of himself.

Ji Chun Hua is back for more nefariousness reprising his role as Bald Eagle Wang Ren Ze, nephew of Wang Shi Chong. Scheming, vile, brutal, lascivious, and he is also extremely passionate about martial arts. In Wang Shi Chong's good books. He's no less merciless than Wang Shi Chong and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

In order to be Wang Shi Chong's successor, he's often undermining Wang Shi Chong's adopted son Wang Ren Yi (Li Yuan). The two may appear friendly with each other on the surface, but often compete secretly against each other for Wang Shi Chong's favour, neither giving in to the other. Specialises in highly pernicious skill Sleeve Blade.

Ji Chun Hua was born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang in 1961. Following an illness leading to complete balding on his head, Ji Chun Hua faced a major crisis in life, almost having to give up wushu. At the time director Cheung Sing Yim was in casting process for Shaolin Temple, and because of his bald head, Ji Chun Hua was picked to play a major villain alongside Yu Cheng Hui. This changed Ji Chun Hua's life, as it allowed the martial arts zealot to further his pursuits of wushu.

Since then, he has been playing villainous roles mostly, though Ji Chun Hua's a very nice and helpful person in real life. Once, on an outdoor set of Shaolin King of Martial Arts late at night, on learning about an oncoming hurricane, Ji Chun Hua hurriedly ran about knocking on everyone's door to alert them to take shelter, but because of this, he didn't even have the time to retrieve his personal belongings.

With his menacing presence, coupled with excellent wushu skills, making him a very worthy opponent to fight against, Ji Chun Hua went on the become one of the most memorable onscreen villains, having appeared New Legend of Shaolin, Fong Sai Yuk 2, White Lotus Cult, New Shaolin Temple, Shaolin King of Martial Arts, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu. There are exceptions too, whereby he takes on the roles of good guys - usually with weird temperament - such as Red Sorghum, Era of the Vampires, Seven Swordsmen and Wing Chun.

Martial arts director Yuen Bun, one of the Seven Little Fortunes along with Yuen Biao, working on the set of Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2. He's very meticulous. He'd painstakingly write down every scene he'd be shooting and as he completes each of them, he would strike it out. He would explain the scene and the moves very patiently to the actors, such as to newcomer Jie Hui Qing who doesn't have any martial arts background, without any temper at all.

[TheGrimReaper]

Sounds really good - it would be a great plae4sure watching Yuen Biao performing again on screen... Thank you for this information on this future collaboration - something on which our ears or eyes should be focused on

[gorhama]

I thought this was a new TV show not a movie?!? Either way I'm thrilled to see Yuen Biao back in a staring role. The photos from Wu-Jing.org look excellent.

I'm really looking forward to this.

[Elhcay]

Yeah, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu a TV series - and they're planning a trilogy. The first has already been released in some provinces in China but not yet on DVD. Maybe Tai Seng might have it in the near future. The second is Thirteen Cudgel Monks which has most of the original cast as well as new members like Yuen Biao (reprising Yu Hai's role), Leung Kar Yan. It's wrapping up in May, with possibly year-end release. The third is 18 Arhats which might be filmed next year.

Legend of Shaolin Kungfu I, choreographed by Ching Siu Tung, is a fantastic series with excellent martial arts scenes performed by newcomers who are genuine martial artists like Li Yuan, Ye Jian Wei and Xie Miao (the kid in two Jet Li 90s movies). Li Yuan is the most impressive of them all. His forms and moves are so really good. The best martial arts scenes are the friendly sparring sessions between monks themselves towards the latter half of the series. You can view some of the scenes here.

Below are some of the clips (not actual footage, put together by the cast) from Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2

Li Yuan Training sequence

Xie Miao vs Li Yuan

Xie Miao vs Li Yuan, Ji Chun Hua

This is a press report of Xie Miao getting beaten up.

http://ent.qq.com/a/20080408/000266.htm

'Family' photo:

Lueng Kar Yan

Ji Chun Hua

[Asmo]

I've not seen much of his recent output, but Yuen Biao is still looking to be in good shape.

[ben]

I apologize for the misunderstanding, I thought this was a new film. I'll be on the lookout then for future VCD/DVDs..

[Mark Pollard]

I would expect this series to be released on DVD in the U.S. by Tai Seng eventually. I'm currently working through their release of the recent TV series WING CHUN, also starring Yuen Biao. He performs quite a lot of quality martial arts and seems to be riding a new wave of popularity.

I'm happy to see Yuen is appearing in quality TV series instead of awful B-movies like HERO YOUNGSTER.

[gorhama]

I would expect this series to be released on DVD in the U.S. by Tai Seng eventually. I'm currently working through their release of the recent TV series WING CHUN, also starring Yuen Biao. He performs quite a lot of quality martial arts and seems to be riding a new wave of popularity.

I'm happy to see Yuen is appearing in quality TV series instead of awful B-movies like HERO YOUNGSTER.

I agree Wing Chun was decent and Yuen looked excellent. I'm very much looking forward to this new series as well!! Yuen Biao and Leun Kar Yan....enough for me!! Great to see some classic martial arts stories finding a voice on TV!!

[Guest Yi-Long]

I really wish more of those HK/Mainland tv series were being released with english subs. My girlfriend is cantonese so she can watch whatever she wants, but I'd like to watch some of these shows together with her. There have been many good quality martial arts tv series, but sadly, it's hard to find them uncut and subbed.

[Yakuza954]

I hope this series is released, but the first one hasn't even been released yet so the outlook for this sequel doesn't look too good either. It'll never happen, but I hope some of those late 70's/early-mid 80's tv series are released with subtitles someday. They're the best I've seen as far as martial arts choreography is concerned.

[ben]

Yes I agree with so many comments here. Firstly, it is very frustrating not to be able to see some of these tv series since when they are released, they are without subtitles. I have found a store nearby which has copies of "The Ultimate Crime Fighter" without subtitles but I buy it anyway. Thankfully I got a copy of "Real Kung Fu" with subtitles added by a fan. Can only hope that this new one gets released at some point officially with subtitles, like "Wing Chun" eventually was.

p.s. I'm working through "Wing Chun" as well, great TV series.

[mrswing]

Whoops - sent it too early.

UCF only has two fights, one is great but only lasts a minute. The rest is soapy rubbish.

[Elhcay]

Looks like Jade Screen Summer issue will be doing coverage on this.

http://www.screen-power.com/legend-of-shaolin-kung-fu-ii-thirteen-cudgel-monks/467/

[gorhama]

That sucks about UCF I was looking forward to that. Oh well at least it's getting Yuen Biao back in the mainstream again. Hopefully this show will feature lots of great martial arts action. Based on how awesome Yuen Biao looked in Real Kung Fu and Wing Chun...he has barely lost a step. I think he's lower acting output over the past few years has helped provide him with a longer screen fighting career!!

[Guest ekisha]

it's very sad seeing Biao only in tv series and trash movies.I wish someday i'll see his good-new movie.

________

LovelyWendie

[Elhcay]

Li Yuan's blog has been updated with a behind-the-scenes teaser, showing some big scale battle scenes and rather briefly, some individual fight scenes.

Here's a big pic from Li Yuan's blog.

http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/491-Photos-from-Legend-of-Shaolin-Kungfu-II-Thirteen-Cudgel-Monks.html

[bboyninku]

Yuen Biao has been actually doing quality work in television series lately. If you enjoyed Wing Chun TV Series, you must see Real Kung Fu! I've seen both and I definitely enjoy Real Kung Fu much more. Yuen Biao reprises his role as Leung Tsan from Prodigal Son. The series too emphasizes on Wing Chun. Old school veterans such as Leung Kar Yan, Gordon Liu, Yuen Wah, and Lo Mang appear in this series. I know they were selling it on dvd at www.fivestarlaser.com at one point when I picked it up. A highly recommended must see!

[Elhcay]

http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/518-Legend-of-Shaolin-Kungfu-2-Wraps.html

Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 Wraps

-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: Thirteen Cudgel Monks --

After almost six months of intensive filming, 40-part series Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: Thirteen Cudgel Monks has finally wrapped up on June 2. Very few productions today would spend more than 3 months on filming, let alone 6 months. This is a testimony to how meticulous, committed and dedicated the production is, and the amount of time spent on filming the martial arts sequences to ensure quality delivery, just as the first Legend of Shaolin Kungfu.

As Li Yuan says on his blog, June 2 is a memorable day for the production, for they completed the final scene on that day, bidding farewell to the days of sweat and blood brushing against the shoulder. It's not easy to produce a great work, and everyone has made lots of sacrifices, physically and emotionally, for Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2. They have worked even harder in Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 in order to give the audience an even more thrilling show.

On looking back, before doing any action scenes, Li Yuan would say, "Brothers, let's do our best, go for it, and strive to get through with one take." For, in a realistically constructed fight scene with full physical contact, each additional take would mean more risk and injuries. In order to reduce the risk, they would put in all their might, from fist to fist contact, to bodily clashes, to bruises and blood, to eventually a mental contest. As the director says, the last man standing would have become a dehydrated skeleton. And the beastly addresses from the martial arts director have become their catchphrase...

Finally, Li Yuan extends his appreciation and thanks to the director Du Xiao, the martial arts director Yuen Bun and Li Cai, and the brothers and sisters who fight alongside with him as well as all the crew. It's because of them they he has matured a lot. Li Yuan is currently resting in his home in Beijing, enjoying a moment of quietness.

[Guest ekisha]

I have to watch it,yeah Yuen Biao is great guy!!!

________

Meth rehab forum

[niro]

yup i agree...i hope tai seng pick this up as well as the first series

[Mark Pollard]

I communicated with a Tai Seng rep by e-mail about it. He confirmed that the distributor was looking at the series but had not inked a deal yet.

[Guest leepifer]

Hi,

i was hardly searching the whole TV serie "LEGEND OF SHAOLIN KUNG FU" (actually, 3 tv series) in DVD but i just can find the volume 2.

Sorry to bother with this old topic but is someone know where these dvds can be purchased ?

Thanks.

[ShaOW!linDude]

This is mondo bizarre.

I just bought this last week. It's titled "Kung Fu Master". Apparently they've taken this series and re-edited it and spliced it into a 90 minute movie. I liked it. It had very little dialogue and was truly nonstop action. Now I know why. If you're interested, look at "My Many MiniReviews" in the Reviews section.

[Athena]

This is mondo bizarre.

I just bought this last week. It's titled "Kung Fu Master". Apparently they've taken this series and re-edited it and spliced it into a 90 minute movie. I liked it. It had very little dialogue and was truly nonstop action. Now I know why. If you're interested, look at "My Many MiniReviews" in the Reviews section.

ShaOW!linDude ! How are you ??

Good I hope,anyways I have to agree ONLY PARTLY here ...I have the whole series ( no English subs) & yes it is very good !

BUT ..I picked up the Liongate compiled version & think it is not working at all ! The same fights are good off course but they try to maintain a story there & it is just awful. Biao walks around in the semi dark & get repeatedly attacked by guys he has the reference too but the viewer don't !! So I think they they should have just compiled the fights whiteout trying to maintain a story & called it " 13 Cudgel Monks Fight Extravagance "!!!

Even the Liongate team stated something similar on a French web site & said they are hesitant to compile another TV Series now ..

So I guess we 1/2 agree to disagree ShaOW!linDude ?!

Take care , Athena ..♥

[ShaOW!linDude]

That's cool with me, Athena.

I agree that plot wise there's something to be desired and some questions were raised, specifically what happened to the ghost town to make it a......well, ghost town. But honestly, I think I liked it because it was essentially the compilation of action and I didn't have to keep up with a plot thread. Just Biao fighting. And now he's fighting again. And again. Oh, look, Biao's fighting again, etc. and so forth and so on. Works for me.