Reviewed by: MrBooth Date: 04/07/2024 THE REBELLIOUS REIGN (1980, Fang Hsiang) is pretty great - it starts with a bang with some fun and creative fight scenes, then shifts into an extended middle of political intrigue that ultimately erupts as a finale of spectacular carnage, featuring really well staged and surprisingly bloody action. The story is broadly the same as Shaw Brothers THE LADY ASSASSIN a couple of years later, but I assume both are based on an earlier story (and to some extent history), and there is a clear difference between the classic shapes-based choreography here from Alan Chui and the new wave madcap wirework of Tony Liu's film. Production values are pretty impressive for an indie film in this genre, with some quality costumes and locations. Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: pjshimmer Date: 02/25/2003 Unusually satisfactory in the kung fu action department, Rebellious Reign exceeded my expectations. The action is old school at its best, comparable to that of The Loot and better than Descendant of Wing Chun. The story is average passable stuff, and unfortunately not many characters are well developed. The beginning and end are filled with fight scenes, while the middle is most story-telling. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't decide if it wants to be a kung fu movie or a solid historical drama. It has a little bit of both, but the result is not too pleasing. There is not adequate character development or story to back it as a drama. For the historical drama genre, Night of the Assassins is a better entry. The kung fu is very good as I previously mentioned, but there is no kung fu in the middle part heavily dominated by drama. A little uneven, if I may say so. It's a good old school actioner with dynamic action. Lung Fong is an excellent performer. [7/10]

Reviewed by: STSH Date: 06/21/2002 Summary: Gory finale Plenty of action here. Much of it is creakily choreographed but still fun to watch. Closer to the end it gets better, and is excellent when Kuen Wing Man gets really going. Being a historical, of course there are bright and colourful costumes and lovely scenes. My only big criticism was the two male leads. I just couldn't feel anything for either of them. Lung Fong plays with such a stiff upper lip, and Norman Chu is so obviously a bastard that it's no surprise at all that he turns nasty. I was surprised at how gory the finale was. Limbs being chopped off by the dozen, blood everywhere ad, unlike many other fu epics, it was pretty realistic. Strong stomachs only. If you can handle the gore, moderately recommended. Reviewer Score: 6