KING OF BEGGARS – Eureka Blu-Ray Review: A Signature Stephen Chow Kung Fu Comedy Delight
King Of Beggars arrives on limited edition Blu-Ray on January 27 from Eureka Entertainment
Coming off the heels of one of the biggest losses for martial arts film fandom is a bittersweet revival of a classic. To this, we have Eureka Entertainment to thank for its latest release of King Of Beggars on Blu-Ray in the U.S., featuring Stephen Chow and directed by Gordon Chan.
Chow’s career is illuminated by his comedic gravitas, which is also complimented well by his own martial arts athleticism thanks to action director Yuen Cheung-Yan. The result is just the kind of exceptional oddball romp you would expect of Chow, whose role here also lends to another derivative and fascinating take on folkloric hero, So Chan.
As written by Chan and co-scribe John Chan, So is a spoiled rich kid in Canton who falls in love with a headstrong prostitute named Yu-Shang (Sharla Cheung). So is also an exceptional fighter, but he can’t write – a caveat that will prove crucial in the aftermath of a martial arts contest in which he and his father (Ng Man-Tat) are condemned to a life of poverty. Making matters worse is his rivalry with the recently-promoted Chiu (Norman Tsui), in a duel that results in So’s crippling defeat and subsequent depression.
Little does he know that this moment will ensue a transformative moment in which he becomes the leader of the Beggars Clan. On the cusp of war with the military, it’ll be So at the forefront however, unraveling an even deadlier plot that pits So and Chiu once more in a final battle for the fate of China.
What culminates with King Of Beggars is a tale of redemption in which Chow firmly showcases his dimensions as an actor, punctuating comedy with kung fu and presenting an evocative balance between drama and laughs that carries well through the film’s finish. Watching as So struggles to care for his father while coping with his own humiliation is certainly the most human aspect of this film, deservedly explored and lending to a healthy portrayal of Chow’s iconic character in a way that pairs excellently with other performances and films.
If you’re like me and your first stop with a Chow headliner was either Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle, and you’re curious for more, King Of Beggars is ripe for the taking. Chow’s resumé is going to take me a while to get through seeing as not all of his films are directly available to me, and I had a very specific taste in film back during the 90s crossover era, so it’s kind of my fault for not keeping up.
It’s an interesting watch as well, especially if you’re curious to see how director Chan tackled his first period film at the time, and using subject matter he didn’t even want to touch, at that. Chan even consulted with Lau Kar Leung who was a hard “no” from the initial start, and these are just a few of the gems you’ll learn about in Eureka’s King Of Beggars release disc’s “Beggars And Tramps” interview segment with the director, including how Chan preserved his friendship with Chow to this day.
The disc also comes with a half-hour long video essay by East Asian film scholar Gary Bettinson that dives into Chow’s career, as well as King Of Beggars – the story, set pieces, performances, cast and more – and how it tracks as an exemplary work in Chow’s growth as a filmmaker. You also get a brand new commentary track by East Asian cinema expert and Enter The Clones Of Bruce producer Frank Djeng, followed by a classic trailer. Included in the release is a 16-page write-up about Chan in Gordon Chan: A Hong Kong Metteur en scène, in which university professor Andy Willis details Chan’s career and legacy, expanding greatly from his own perspective on the director’s interview in the disc.
It’s not lost on me that this release doesn’t come with a greater profile or tribute action director Yuen who sadly passed away on New Years Day at the age of 69. In addition to servicing the action scenes, Yuen co-stars as a beggar who appears a few times throughout the film in supporting capacity. Yuen leaves his mark firmly on King Of Beggars – as he’s done so throughout his career numerous times, including even donning a new iteration of his vagabond character in Chow’s 2004 hit, Kung Fu Hustle. It’s a bittersweet addendum for a New Year release out of Eureka, and a purely rewarding purchase whether you’re a fan of Yuen, Chow or Chan, or all three.
Grab your copy today at MVDshop.
Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!
