Customer Reviews

House of Traps *Shaw Brothers* Remastered Edition DVD

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a serious fan of the kung fu genre aspecially the Shaw Brothers,I first saw this movie about 20 years ago and up until now this was one of the hardest films to find. The action is up to par with what you can expect from a Shaw Brothers film staring the venoms not over run with fight scenes but enough to keep you satified. This film has all of the venoms on hand except Lo Meng, it's well worth adding to your collection.

House of Traps? The plot is simple. The "house of traps" itself is not particularly elaborate, and the movie seems shorter than it should be. Despite all of this, the film is fun to watch. Four of the six Venoms appear in this film: Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Philip Kwok and Chiang Sheng. Several other fine performers round out the cast. Philip Kwok really steals the show as the pranksterish "Black Fox," with both his fine kung fu and his comical acting. There are also a host of other interesting characters such as "Butterfly," played by Lu Feng and the "Rat Brothers."

The plot involves a Sung Dynasty prince attempting to usurp power, and the characters choosing sides. Of course, not every character is on the side for which he initially appears. Certain imperial items are stolen and stored in the House of Traps which is controlled by the usurper prince. While the plot is thin, it is sufficient for the action. The fight scenes are well done and include a wide variety of weapons. However, I did not find the fight scenes as enjoyable as those in most other Venom films. One other point of disappointment is that Sun Chien (aka: the Scorpion) does not have a fight scene in the film, so the viewer is denied Sun Chien's usual impressive kicking ability.

The DVD quality of my copy was quite good. The version is in mandarin with English subtitles.

Seller was prompt. Material arrived when predicted. Material was in excellent shape as advertised. Material was as adveristed, good olde kung-fu movies. I am not a movie expert, except in what I like. I just enjoy kung-fu movies as a great mental break from humdrum. I especially enjoy these period pieces. This is a poor quality remaster. The plot is also confusing and predictable. Fighting is excellent - saves movie. Technically entire video distracting.

As I've written in other reviews, not as many as Morgoth & beckyboy (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) though, I'm a huge Shaw Brothers fan and Chang Cheh completist. Chang and his godsons, the Venoms, bid a fond farewell in 1981 to their four year/nineteen film series with this period piece (Sung Dynasty) martial epic. It's complete with the ubiquitous Chang Cheh traits like brotherhood, chivalry, greed, corruption, honor, copious bloodletting & kung fu madness. I've read that it's a "complete" Venom film. Not really, it's missing Lo Mang, Wei Pai & Johnny Wang (who was working with Liu Chia-Liang at the time). However, it does have his core Venoms like Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, the late Chiang Sheng, Wang Li, Sun Chien (who unfortunately doesn't flash his Iron Feet here), along with Yu Tai-Ping, Ricky Cheng, Chu Ke, Chien Hsiao-Hao & "Spearman" Lung Tien-Sheng.

First the movie; the trailer (included on the DVD) states that it's based on a novel. I did not know that, but that would explain its prologue, extended dialogue scenes & a "period" plot concerning Prince Yang's quest for revenge against Lord Bao. This involves a revolt, stolen Imperial valuables which are secured in a building filled with lethal traps (the House of the title; one of the traps is a staircase where the stairs become blades) & spies (who are responsible for the martial mayhem.) Many cool venomous fight scenes are tucked inside the complicated plot which also involves two opposing knight-errants, the Black Fox (Kuo Chui) & Butterfly (Lu Feng), a group known as the Four Rats, a list & a hidden painting that reveals the prince's dark past. All this intrigue concludes in a ten minute finale which is absolutely jaw-dropping. They really outdid themselves with the choreography pitting Wang Li (with double hook swords) versus Chu Ke & Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng (using a spear & darts) versus Kuo Chui (using a short-handled broadsword) which takes place in a huge opulent room decorated with ornate vases/furniture, plants and curtains (kinda like the finale in "Five Deadly Venoms"). Amazing stuff here.

Now for the DVD; it was released by Bonzai Entertainment who also did a fantastic job with "The Weird Man" & "Ten Tigers of Kwantung", but they totally botched it with "The Magnificent Ruffians" a.k.a. "The Destroyers". I don't know what happened there. Anyway, like the first two aforementioned films; scratch-free picture, widescreen presentation, Mandarin soundtrack in DTS digital, and your choice of easy to read Chinese or English subtitles. Also, as an added bonus, remastered, widescreen, subtitled trailers by Celestial. There's two for "House of Traps"- original Shawscope 1981 & the new 2006 one. There's the 2005 trailers for "Ten Tigers..." and "Legend of the Fox". Plus, there's the 2007 trailers for Celestials' two new acquisitions, "Masked Avengers" and my favorite, "The Kid With the Golden Arm". Finally, it's about time! Seven years waiting for that one, Celestial. Sheesh.

This is a great print of the last "official" Venoms movie, (ie, the last to feature Philip Kuo Tsui), and it doesn't actually have all of the original Five Deadly Venoms; both strongman Lo Mang (Toad) and the sleek Jason Bai Biao (Snake) are missing. But don't let that dissuade you from this, the weirdest of the lot! With staircases that flip to become knives, disemboweling hapless treasure seekers and the WORST (read "best") English dubbing of any Shaw movie, this one will brighten up any late night or rainy afternoon!

Would have gave it five but they tried to make the plot a little too complex for a kung fu movie, but if you are a fan of old school kung fu you need this in your collection. The fight at the end is hot, and the way the guys beat the traps later in the movie is tight too.